This document discusses the prospects for bioresources innovations development in eastern Africa. It summarizes that bioscience research has high potential for increasing crop productivity, environmental gains, and human health benefits. Capacity building efforts are paying off through advanced research partnerships. Governments are also responding by increasing funding for science and technology. However, moving research and development into innovations requires further efforts like market analysis, public-private cooperation, and addressing regulatory issues. Ensuring policy coherence across regulatory frameworks and innovation policies also presents a challenge.

1. Presented by Julius Ecuru Uganda national council for science and technology, uncst John Komen IFPRI program for biosafety systems, pbs With inputs from bio-earn project teams Official Launch of the Bio-Innovate Program Nairobi, March 16, 2011 Prospects for bioresources innovations development in eastern Africa

2. Main messages Rationale is clear: food, feed, fiber, fuel – what are the prospects? Capacity building efforts are paying off – beyond applied research Governments are responding – STI policies and investments Moving R&D to innovations – role for BioInnovate Ensuring policy coherence – role for BioInnovate

6. Ex ante socio-economic analysis The analysis highlighted a number of important areas of impact: Increased crop productivity: Improved sorghum lines, selected for tolerance to drought and other abiotic stresses, increased yields by around 25 per cent compared to the local base variety in Kenya. In Kenya and Uganda, local breweries showed strong interest in locally produced sorghum to substitute for imported barley. Environmental gains: Biogas technologies to enhance production from fish processing waste and sisal waste contribute to agro-industrial waste management and reduce the need for firewood – a major cause of deforestation – and imported fuel. Human health benefits: Constructed wetlands technology for the treatment of slaughterhouse and tannery effluents has been tested at the pilot scale in several BIO-EARN countries. Treatment of waste water results in a much reduced exposure to chemicals, heavy metals and pathogens. In Tanzania, it was demonstrated that the technology leads to significant cost reductions in treating common diseases such as diarrhoea.

8. VIRCA

9. BioCassava+

10. WEMA – drought tolerant maize

11. Bacterial wilt resistant banana, biofortified banana

12. ABS – biofortified sorghum

13. Insect-resistant maize

14. Insect-resistant cotton

16. 4. Moving R&D to innovation From: “Fostering Innovation – Lessons from BIO-EARN” Continued efforts are required, incl.: Analyze markets and economic viability of R&D results Encourage public-private cooperation, product development Support product “champions” and broaden their base Address regulatory issues affecting IP and biosafety / food safety Decrease reliance on external funding Ensure long-term perspective vs. short-term funding opportunities Key role for S&T councils / commissions in BioInnovate and other initiatives

18. Not based on accumulated evidence

19. Exclusive focus on risk

20. Full EIA for field trials

21. Strict liability clauses, compensation, etc.

22. Unclear decision making procedures

23. STI / biotech policies acknowledge the potential:Food security, agricultural trade Increased rural incomes and employment Private sector development Climate change mitigation - drought

24. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION “It is no secret that Africa’s history has been marked by a development narrative in which the benefits from science, technology and innovation have been enjoyed by few, instead of being seen as tools for the development of all citizens. Today this is changing and Africa’s leaders view science, technology and innovation as critical to human development, global competitiveness and ecological management.” From: Juma, C. and I. Serageldin (Lead Authors). 2007. Freedom to Innovate: Biotechnology in Africa’s Development. A report of the High-Level African Panel on Modern Biotechnology