Biotech Updates

Agriculture Minister Says Tanzania Ready for Biotechnology

February 10, 2012

Minister for Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives Prof Jumanne Maghembe told participants at an international conference in Dar es Salaam last February 6, 2012 that Tanzania is ready to accept biotechnology.

"We are at the crossroads, it is important not to close the doors to science. It is becoming increasingly clear that we should not close ourselves to anything. "When weather patterns change and suddenly you have all rains coming in one week, then you need to develop new crops," he said.

The conference on sustainable intensification of cereal-based farming systems in Eastern and Southern Africa was organized by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). It was attended by participants from 18 international research organizations.

Tanzania is currently debating on whether to allow genetically modified organisms in the country with focus on the biosafety regulatory framework.

See http://allafrica.com/stories/201202070750.html for more information.