The 1st Ever All Africa Congress on Biotechnology was held in Nairobi, Kenya from September 22-26, 2008 with over 400 delegates from 39 countries discussing harnessing biotechnology for food security and development in Africa. [2] Key outcomes included the Nairobi Declaration supporting Africa's adoption of agricultural biotechnology, and recommendations to establish regional biotechnology programs and an African Biotechnology Trust Fund to coordinate efforts. [3] Future plans outlined convening another congress in 2-3 years and strengthening the Agricultural Biotechnology Network in Africa to advance biotechnology on the continent.
The document discusses FAO's role regarding agricultural biotechnology. FAO considers biotechnology an important option to address food security challenges. FAO assists member countries by providing a neutral forum for discussion, legal and technical advice, capacity building assistance, and access to science-based information. A recent FAO study categorized countries in Asia-Pacific by their application, capacity, and enabling environment for agricultural biotechnologies, identifying gaps such as uneven adoption across sectors and countries and lack of institutional capacity.
AU Policies and Decisions for the Use of STI in the Implementation of a Susta...Francois Stepman
Jeremy Tinga OUEDRAOGO
Head of the NEPAD Regional Office for West Africa
Director of the African Biosafety Network of Expertise - ABNE
30 - 31 August 2018. Gent-Zwijnaarde, Belgium. IPBO conference 2018: “Scientific innovation for a sustainable development of African agriculture”
National and international protocol for plant genetic resource managementDivya S
The document discusses several international agreements related to the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources:
- The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) established in 1993 aims to conserve biodiversity and share benefits from genetic resources.
- The Nagoya Protocol aims to ensure fair sharing of benefits from genetic resources.
- The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) guarantees food security through conservation and exchange of plant genetic resources. It established a multilateral system for access and benefit sharing involving 64 major crops.
- The Cartagena Protocol addresses transboundary movements of living modified organisms from biotechnology.
The document also discusses India's Biodiversity Act of
The document provides information about the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). It discusses that CGIAR is a global partnership that was formed in 1971 to reduce poverty and hunger through agricultural research. It is made up of 15 research centers that work with hundreds of partners in agricultural research. The centers work on issues like improving food security, nutrition, health, and sustainable management of natural resources. CGIAR research is guided by a Strategy and Results Framework and implemented through CGIAR Research Programs coordinated by the CGIAR Consortium. The impacts of CGIAR's work include the high-yielding varieties that sparked the Green Revolution and continue to increase global food supplies.
This document discusses the objectives and implementation challenges of agreements related to access and benefit sharing of genetic resources. It notes that while the Convention on Biological Diversity aims to balance conservation, access, and benefit sharing, agreements like TRIPS prioritize stimulating innovation through intellectual property rights. Two theoretical perspectives are discussed - realism, where power determines outcomes, and norm diffusion, where international cooperation spreads standards. Several cases are presented that support both views. Overall, there are conflicts between protecting intellectual property, ensuring equitable access and benefit sharing, and incentivizing conservation that challenge unified implementation of these diverging objectives.
Farmers’ Rights: Achieving Complementarity Between the Informal and Formal Se...GCARD Conferences
This presentation was used in the GFAR webinar on "Farmers’ Rights: Achieving Complementarity Between the Informal and Formal Seed Systems". -- Announcement blogpost was here: https://blog.gfar.net/2017/05/10/gfar-webinar-farmers-rights-achieving-complementarity-between-the-informal-and-formal-seed-systems/
...and the actual webinar recording can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQ9c2_nbtBc
The document discusses FAO's role regarding agricultural biotechnology. FAO considers biotechnology an important option to address food security challenges. FAO assists member countries by providing a neutral forum for discussion, legal and technical advice, capacity building assistance, and access to science-based information. A recent FAO study categorized countries in Asia-Pacific by their application, capacity, and enabling environment for agricultural biotechnologies, identifying gaps such as uneven adoption across sectors and countries and lack of institutional capacity.
AU Policies and Decisions for the Use of STI in the Implementation of a Susta...Francois Stepman
Jeremy Tinga OUEDRAOGO
Head of the NEPAD Regional Office for West Africa
Director of the African Biosafety Network of Expertise - ABNE
30 - 31 August 2018. Gent-Zwijnaarde, Belgium. IPBO conference 2018: “Scientific innovation for a sustainable development of African agriculture”
National and international protocol for plant genetic resource managementDivya S
The document discusses several international agreements related to the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources:
- The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) established in 1993 aims to conserve biodiversity and share benefits from genetic resources.
- The Nagoya Protocol aims to ensure fair sharing of benefits from genetic resources.
- The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) guarantees food security through conservation and exchange of plant genetic resources. It established a multilateral system for access and benefit sharing involving 64 major crops.
- The Cartagena Protocol addresses transboundary movements of living modified organisms from biotechnology.
The document also discusses India's Biodiversity Act of
The document provides information about the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). It discusses that CGIAR is a global partnership that was formed in 1971 to reduce poverty and hunger through agricultural research. It is made up of 15 research centers that work with hundreds of partners in agricultural research. The centers work on issues like improving food security, nutrition, health, and sustainable management of natural resources. CGIAR research is guided by a Strategy and Results Framework and implemented through CGIAR Research Programs coordinated by the CGIAR Consortium. The impacts of CGIAR's work include the high-yielding varieties that sparked the Green Revolution and continue to increase global food supplies.
This document discusses the objectives and implementation challenges of agreements related to access and benefit sharing of genetic resources. It notes that while the Convention on Biological Diversity aims to balance conservation, access, and benefit sharing, agreements like TRIPS prioritize stimulating innovation through intellectual property rights. Two theoretical perspectives are discussed - realism, where power determines outcomes, and norm diffusion, where international cooperation spreads standards. Several cases are presented that support both views. Overall, there are conflicts between protecting intellectual property, ensuring equitable access and benefit sharing, and incentivizing conservation that challenge unified implementation of these diverging objectives.
Farmers’ Rights: Achieving Complementarity Between the Informal and Formal Se...GCARD Conferences
This presentation was used in the GFAR webinar on "Farmers’ Rights: Achieving Complementarity Between the Informal and Formal Seed Systems". -- Announcement blogpost was here: https://blog.gfar.net/2017/05/10/gfar-webinar-farmers-rights-achieving-complementarity-between-the-informal-and-formal-seed-systems/
...and the actual webinar recording can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQ9c2_nbtBc
Institutional Frameworks, Experience with CGIAR reform (PPT format)CGIAR
This concise presentation includes several diagrams explaining how the CGIAR is now organized. This graphic explanation of the institutional framework clearly highlights the benefits of the Consortium and the CGIAR Research Programs, as well illustrating the comparative advantages of the system. It provides an important overview.
Inter-Regional Cooperation: APAARI/AARINENA,Dr. R. ParodaAARINENA
APAARI was established in 1990 as a joint initiative between FAO and NARS in Asia-Pacific to promote agricultural research and development through partnerships. Its mission is to strengthen NARS through information sharing, research networking, human resource development, and policy advocacy. APAARI has over 30 member organizations and facilitates networks on topics like crops, livestock, and biotechnology to enable knowledge sharing in the region.
This document summarizes an upcoming workshop for a project to establish a Centre for Bee Diseases and Pests in Africa. The project aims to generate knowledge on bee diseases and pests across Africa in order to protect bee colonies, scale up honey production, and support pollination services for crop production. The workshop will bring together stakeholders from participating countries to discuss initial activities, including establishing research facilities in Kenya and four satellite stations in other countries, developing diagnostic tools and management modules, and strengthening capacities of farmers and institutions regarding bee health. The overall goal is to enhance awareness of bee health issues and create an enabling environment for improved control of diseases and pests in Africa.
Key note address first ofab consultative meeting november 2010Wachoro
This document discusses the history of biotechnology and its potential benefits for agricultural development in Sub-Saharan Africa. It notes that biotech crops have led to economic gains of $51.9 billion globally from reduced costs and increased yields. While some African countries like South Africa, Burkina Faso, and Egypt have begun growing biotech crops, African agriculture remains threatened by low productivity, drought, and climate change. The document advocates for policies and strategies to develop biotechnology in Africa and ensure its benefits, including by learning from others' experiences.
The IRMA project aimed to develop insect-resistant maize varieties using transgenic technology to improve food security in Africa. Given the controversy around transgenic technologies, the project implemented a careful communication and public awareness strategy. This included annual stakeholder meetings, media outreach through articles and broadcasts, newsletters, websites and videos. The project also trained extension agents and stakeholders. This review finds that the IRMA project's public awareness efforts effectively engaged stakeholders and fostered understanding and acceptance of the transgenic technology.
In 2003 IFPRI released the results of Next Harvest, a study that compiled and analyzed the first comprehensive database of publically-developed genetically modified crops under development in non-industrialized countries. Since then, several regional and national efforts have been made to update this database and expand Next Harvest findings. Nevertheless, to this day there are no comprehensive data about the state of biotechnology in developing countries, that takes into account both traditional and modern biotechnologies under development by the public and private sector. In particular, in Africa the lack of standardized and uniformly collected data is limiting the ability to assess the overall state of Africa’s agricultural biotechnology capacity and draw policy recommendations regarding countries’ strengths and needs. To begin to fill this gap, IFPRI has started gathering information using standard data collection protocols in four countries in Africa. This study presents the results for Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Uganda and shows the differences and similarities among their state of biotech development. South Africa, clearly the leader in biotech adoption in the continent, is a country where agricultural biotechnology has been mainstreamed in a significant number of agricultural research institutes. Nigeria, on the other hand, has had more difficulties developing and implementing biotechnologies. Kenya and Uganda maintain a solid portfolio of agricultural biotechnology research but still face institutional and human and financial resource limitations. Drawing from the rich data collected, the study identifies the opportunities and challenges and makes policy recommendations to address current limitations.
Sustainable Development and Bioeconomic Prosperity in Africa QZ1
This document summarizes a research paper on the potential for biofuel production and economic development in Africa through the use of biotechnology. It discusses how several African countries are exploring biofuel production from crops like sugarcane, Jatropha, and sorghum to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and support sustainable development. While genetically modified crops are controversial, the paper argues they could increase food production. Biofuels have potential to boost energy security and rural development through crop-based industries. South Africa has emerged as a leader in both biofuel and biotech industries in Africa.
This document summarizes a project aiming to contain and recover banana production affected by Banana bunchy top disease (BBTD) through a learning alliance in sub-Saharan Africa. The project establishes action sites in 8 countries to pilot integrated community approaches for disease management. It addresses key knowledge gaps around BBTD epidemiology and evolution, development of diagnostic tools, understanding vector behavior and searching for host tolerance. Gender dimensions of disease control are also studied. Progress includes establishing action sites in 7 countries and addressing capacity building, awareness raising and clean planting material production.
Presented as part of the "Moving Africa Towards a Knowledge Based Bio-economy" seminar on how agricultural innovation and in particular biosciences in areas such as breeding, agro-processing and value addition can contribute to economic growth and sustainable development in Sub-Saharan Africa. Key questions of the seminar:
How the millions of resource-poor smallholder farmers, so vital for food production and economic growth, can benefit from the prospects of a new bio-economy?
How countries in Sub-Saharan Africa can develop programmes, institutional capabilities and bioscience innovation structures able to adapt and use technologies and know-how based on their own priorities and needs?
How can Sweden assist countries in Sub-Saharan Africa to move Towards a Knowledge Based Bio-economy?
The African Orphan Crops Consortium (AOCC) on 3rd December 2013, launched the African Plant Breeding Academy to help improve the livelihoods of Africa’s smallholder farmers and their families, reduce hunger and boost Africa’s food supply.
Banana bunchy top disease,Banana bacterial wilt,Total area of banana and plantain in BBTV & BXW-affected countries in Africa,Alliance to combat common threats
This document summarizes the aflatoxin problem in Ghana based on a presentation given on June 17, 2015. It finds that aflatoxin contamination levels in Ghanaian food crops like groundnuts and maize far exceed international standards. This poses risks to health, exports, and food security. Studies show high levels of aflatoxins in foods and humans in Ghana, putting populations at risk for conditions like liver cancer. There is also low awareness of aflatoxins among farmers, consumers, and others in the food system in Ghana. Action is needed to reduce contamination and protect health and trade.
GFAR Webinar on Farmers’ Rights: Achieving Complementarity Between the Inform...Francois Stepman
This document provides information about an upcoming webinar on achieving complementarity between informal and formal seed systems. It includes:
- The presenters and moderators of the webinar
- The framing and program for the webinar, which will include presentations on farmers' rights, examples of complementarity between seed systems, and identification of partnerships.
- Next steps after the webinar like publishing a blog and report.
The webinar aims to facilitate an exchange of information on complementarity between informal farmer-led seed systems and formal commercial seed systems, identify challenges, and motivate collaboration between participants from different roles to better realize farmers' rights to crop genetic resources.
The document summarizes the key aspects of the Indian Biodiversity Act of 2002. It was signed into law by the President on February 5th, 2003 and became enforceable on April 15th, 2004. The act aims to conserve biological diversity, promote sustainable use, and facilitate equitable benefit-sharing. It established the National Biodiversity Authority and State Biodiversity Boards to regulate access to genetic resources and traditional knowledge. Local Biodiversity Management Committees were also set up to document traditional knowledge and ensure benefits are shared equitably. The act covers intellectual property rights, access to biological resources, and benefit-sharing arrangements.
FANRPAN Policy Brief: Stemming Aflatoxin in the Groundnut Chain in Sub-Sahara...Francois Stepman
This policy brief has been specifically
prepared to highlight the importance of aflatoxins on human health and trade in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It
contextualizes, (i) the preharvest and post-harvest factors that influence the proliferation of molds and aflatoxin
contamination in groundnuts in the SSA region, (ii) discusses feasible prevention and management strategies and
(iii) presents recommendations .
Charles Nkonge (Kenya) Highlights of maize aflatoxin research in Kenya
Roundtable of aflatoxin experts on
“Building a multi-stakeholder approach to mitigate aflatoxin contamination of food and feed”
Brussels, Monday 25th January 2016
Participants witness the huge impact of improved agri-technologies on farmers...Tropical Legumes III
The document discusses a meeting of the ICRISAT Governing Board in Zimbabwe that focused on strengthening partnerships to address the drought crisis affecting smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe. The meeting highlighted the need for science-based solutions and a country strategy from ICRISAT that promotes more drought-resistant and nutritious crops like sorghum, groundnuts, chickpeas and pigeonpeas. ICRISAT is pursuing new market opportunities and climate-resilient practices for small grains to improve food security and livelihoods in Zimbabwe.
The Laboratory of Food Analysis at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences (UG...Francois Stepman
11 March 2016. Gent, Belgium. Department of Bioanalysis, Laboratory of Food Analysis Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Compilation of the presentations made during the visit and meeting with Prof. Dr. Pharm.D. Sarah De Saeger and doctoral students :
Melody Hove, Ugent, University of Zimbabwe (03/01/14 - now), “Human dietary exposure to mycotoxins in Zimbabwe and related risk assessment and management”
Cynthia Chilaka, Ugent, McPherson University (01/01/2015 - now), ” Fusarium mycotoxins and their masked forms in Nigerian foods: occurrence and influence of traditional processing methods”
Abebe Ayelign (Ethiopia – PhD student at Addis Ababa University, but performing his analysis of biomarkers in urine in my lab)
Jose Falck Zepeda presentation on biotechnology and developing countries Geor...Jose Falck Zepeda
In my presentation I describe the foundation frameworks for improving crop production in developing countries firmly based on the successes, failures and issues identified during the Green Revolution. I describe the status of Genetically Modified Biotechnology in developed and developing countries,describe the regulatory activities that examine environmental/biodiversity and food/feed safety, as GM bio-technologies are the only regulated biotechnologies globally with a few exceptions. I describe our experiences and issues related to socioeconomic assessments of potential and actual impacts of GM crops in Uganda, Philippines, Colombia and Honduras. I summarize some lessons and conclusions learned in this process.
Prevention and control of aflatoxin contamination in value chains: Contrib...Francois Stepman
25th January 2016. Roundtable of aflatoxin experts on “Building a multi-stakeholder approach to mitigate aflatoxin contamination of food and feed”.
Background: Food losses, issue of aflatoxin, challenges, abbreviations followed by GIZ project activities:
Promotion of value chains and reduction of risk of aflatoxin contamination: by the “Green Innovation Centres for the Agriculture and Food Sector”, commissioned by BMZ Special Initiative “ONEWORLD – No Hunger!”.
Further (planned) activities to reduce post-harvest losses and possible aflatoxin contamination: by various projects worldwide
Aflasafe technology in Zambia: Upscaling and dissemination in other countries in Africa: by IITA/CGIAR - CCAFS, GIZ/ITAACC, Bill&Melinda Gates Foundation, USDA, PACA and other partners
Aflatoxin risk assessment as part of the Rapid Food Loss Assessment Tool (RLAT): by Sector Project Sustainable Agriculture (SV NAREN)
Relatório de entraves e focos de atuação cnx mercado 23 03_2010Romante Rodrigues
Este relatório descreve os entraves e focos de atuação identificados para a Cooperativa de Artesãos Consturando Sonhos Sabará. Os principais entraves são a falta de conhecimento em marketing, qualidade dos produtos e capacidade produtiva. Há também necessidades técnicas de cursos de costura e corte. Financeiramente, há entraves com aluguel, água, luz e telefone, mas os valores precisam ser definidos no plano financeiro. O foco será seguir o planejamento inicial conforme o demonstrativo.
Plano de trabalho projeto social costurando sonhos cnx mercado 23_03_2010Romante Rodrigues
Este documento é um plano de trabalho para fornecer mentoria à Cooperativa de Artesãos Consturando Sonhos Sabará para estruturar sua cooperativa e desenvolver um plano de negócios. O objetivo é levantar a situação atual do grupo, identificar desafios, e desenvolver um plano de negócios para participar no mercado como uma pessoa jurídica cooperativa, abordando objetivos, estratégias de marketing, finanças, RH, custos, metas de vendas, e desenvolvimento do grupo.
Institutional Frameworks, Experience with CGIAR reform (PPT format)CGIAR
This concise presentation includes several diagrams explaining how the CGIAR is now organized. This graphic explanation of the institutional framework clearly highlights the benefits of the Consortium and the CGIAR Research Programs, as well illustrating the comparative advantages of the system. It provides an important overview.
Inter-Regional Cooperation: APAARI/AARINENA,Dr. R. ParodaAARINENA
APAARI was established in 1990 as a joint initiative between FAO and NARS in Asia-Pacific to promote agricultural research and development through partnerships. Its mission is to strengthen NARS through information sharing, research networking, human resource development, and policy advocacy. APAARI has over 30 member organizations and facilitates networks on topics like crops, livestock, and biotechnology to enable knowledge sharing in the region.
This document summarizes an upcoming workshop for a project to establish a Centre for Bee Diseases and Pests in Africa. The project aims to generate knowledge on bee diseases and pests across Africa in order to protect bee colonies, scale up honey production, and support pollination services for crop production. The workshop will bring together stakeholders from participating countries to discuss initial activities, including establishing research facilities in Kenya and four satellite stations in other countries, developing diagnostic tools and management modules, and strengthening capacities of farmers and institutions regarding bee health. The overall goal is to enhance awareness of bee health issues and create an enabling environment for improved control of diseases and pests in Africa.
Key note address first ofab consultative meeting november 2010Wachoro
This document discusses the history of biotechnology and its potential benefits for agricultural development in Sub-Saharan Africa. It notes that biotech crops have led to economic gains of $51.9 billion globally from reduced costs and increased yields. While some African countries like South Africa, Burkina Faso, and Egypt have begun growing biotech crops, African agriculture remains threatened by low productivity, drought, and climate change. The document advocates for policies and strategies to develop biotechnology in Africa and ensure its benefits, including by learning from others' experiences.
The IRMA project aimed to develop insect-resistant maize varieties using transgenic technology to improve food security in Africa. Given the controversy around transgenic technologies, the project implemented a careful communication and public awareness strategy. This included annual stakeholder meetings, media outreach through articles and broadcasts, newsletters, websites and videos. The project also trained extension agents and stakeholders. This review finds that the IRMA project's public awareness efforts effectively engaged stakeholders and fostered understanding and acceptance of the transgenic technology.
In 2003 IFPRI released the results of Next Harvest, a study that compiled and analyzed the first comprehensive database of publically-developed genetically modified crops under development in non-industrialized countries. Since then, several regional and national efforts have been made to update this database and expand Next Harvest findings. Nevertheless, to this day there are no comprehensive data about the state of biotechnology in developing countries, that takes into account both traditional and modern biotechnologies under development by the public and private sector. In particular, in Africa the lack of standardized and uniformly collected data is limiting the ability to assess the overall state of Africa’s agricultural biotechnology capacity and draw policy recommendations regarding countries’ strengths and needs. To begin to fill this gap, IFPRI has started gathering information using standard data collection protocols in four countries in Africa. This study presents the results for Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Uganda and shows the differences and similarities among their state of biotech development. South Africa, clearly the leader in biotech adoption in the continent, is a country where agricultural biotechnology has been mainstreamed in a significant number of agricultural research institutes. Nigeria, on the other hand, has had more difficulties developing and implementing biotechnologies. Kenya and Uganda maintain a solid portfolio of agricultural biotechnology research but still face institutional and human and financial resource limitations. Drawing from the rich data collected, the study identifies the opportunities and challenges and makes policy recommendations to address current limitations.
Sustainable Development and Bioeconomic Prosperity in Africa QZ1
This document summarizes a research paper on the potential for biofuel production and economic development in Africa through the use of biotechnology. It discusses how several African countries are exploring biofuel production from crops like sugarcane, Jatropha, and sorghum to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and support sustainable development. While genetically modified crops are controversial, the paper argues they could increase food production. Biofuels have potential to boost energy security and rural development through crop-based industries. South Africa has emerged as a leader in both biofuel and biotech industries in Africa.
This document summarizes a project aiming to contain and recover banana production affected by Banana bunchy top disease (BBTD) through a learning alliance in sub-Saharan Africa. The project establishes action sites in 8 countries to pilot integrated community approaches for disease management. It addresses key knowledge gaps around BBTD epidemiology and evolution, development of diagnostic tools, understanding vector behavior and searching for host tolerance. Gender dimensions of disease control are also studied. Progress includes establishing action sites in 7 countries and addressing capacity building, awareness raising and clean planting material production.
Presented as part of the "Moving Africa Towards a Knowledge Based Bio-economy" seminar on how agricultural innovation and in particular biosciences in areas such as breeding, agro-processing and value addition can contribute to economic growth and sustainable development in Sub-Saharan Africa. Key questions of the seminar:
How the millions of resource-poor smallholder farmers, so vital for food production and economic growth, can benefit from the prospects of a new bio-economy?
How countries in Sub-Saharan Africa can develop programmes, institutional capabilities and bioscience innovation structures able to adapt and use technologies and know-how based on their own priorities and needs?
How can Sweden assist countries in Sub-Saharan Africa to move Towards a Knowledge Based Bio-economy?
The African Orphan Crops Consortium (AOCC) on 3rd December 2013, launched the African Plant Breeding Academy to help improve the livelihoods of Africa’s smallholder farmers and their families, reduce hunger and boost Africa’s food supply.
Banana bunchy top disease,Banana bacterial wilt,Total area of banana and plantain in BBTV & BXW-affected countries in Africa,Alliance to combat common threats
This document summarizes the aflatoxin problem in Ghana based on a presentation given on June 17, 2015. It finds that aflatoxin contamination levels in Ghanaian food crops like groundnuts and maize far exceed international standards. This poses risks to health, exports, and food security. Studies show high levels of aflatoxins in foods and humans in Ghana, putting populations at risk for conditions like liver cancer. There is also low awareness of aflatoxins among farmers, consumers, and others in the food system in Ghana. Action is needed to reduce contamination and protect health and trade.
GFAR Webinar on Farmers’ Rights: Achieving Complementarity Between the Inform...Francois Stepman
This document provides information about an upcoming webinar on achieving complementarity between informal and formal seed systems. It includes:
- The presenters and moderators of the webinar
- The framing and program for the webinar, which will include presentations on farmers' rights, examples of complementarity between seed systems, and identification of partnerships.
- Next steps after the webinar like publishing a blog and report.
The webinar aims to facilitate an exchange of information on complementarity between informal farmer-led seed systems and formal commercial seed systems, identify challenges, and motivate collaboration between participants from different roles to better realize farmers' rights to crop genetic resources.
The document summarizes the key aspects of the Indian Biodiversity Act of 2002. It was signed into law by the President on February 5th, 2003 and became enforceable on April 15th, 2004. The act aims to conserve biological diversity, promote sustainable use, and facilitate equitable benefit-sharing. It established the National Biodiversity Authority and State Biodiversity Boards to regulate access to genetic resources and traditional knowledge. Local Biodiversity Management Committees were also set up to document traditional knowledge and ensure benefits are shared equitably. The act covers intellectual property rights, access to biological resources, and benefit-sharing arrangements.
FANRPAN Policy Brief: Stemming Aflatoxin in the Groundnut Chain in Sub-Sahara...Francois Stepman
This policy brief has been specifically
prepared to highlight the importance of aflatoxins on human health and trade in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It
contextualizes, (i) the preharvest and post-harvest factors that influence the proliferation of molds and aflatoxin
contamination in groundnuts in the SSA region, (ii) discusses feasible prevention and management strategies and
(iii) presents recommendations .
Charles Nkonge (Kenya) Highlights of maize aflatoxin research in Kenya
Roundtable of aflatoxin experts on
“Building a multi-stakeholder approach to mitigate aflatoxin contamination of food and feed”
Brussels, Monday 25th January 2016
Participants witness the huge impact of improved agri-technologies on farmers...Tropical Legumes III
The document discusses a meeting of the ICRISAT Governing Board in Zimbabwe that focused on strengthening partnerships to address the drought crisis affecting smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe. The meeting highlighted the need for science-based solutions and a country strategy from ICRISAT that promotes more drought-resistant and nutritious crops like sorghum, groundnuts, chickpeas and pigeonpeas. ICRISAT is pursuing new market opportunities and climate-resilient practices for small grains to improve food security and livelihoods in Zimbabwe.
The Laboratory of Food Analysis at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences (UG...Francois Stepman
11 March 2016. Gent, Belgium. Department of Bioanalysis, Laboratory of Food Analysis Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Compilation of the presentations made during the visit and meeting with Prof. Dr. Pharm.D. Sarah De Saeger and doctoral students :
Melody Hove, Ugent, University of Zimbabwe (03/01/14 - now), “Human dietary exposure to mycotoxins in Zimbabwe and related risk assessment and management”
Cynthia Chilaka, Ugent, McPherson University (01/01/2015 - now), ” Fusarium mycotoxins and their masked forms in Nigerian foods: occurrence and influence of traditional processing methods”
Abebe Ayelign (Ethiopia – PhD student at Addis Ababa University, but performing his analysis of biomarkers in urine in my lab)
Jose Falck Zepeda presentation on biotechnology and developing countries Geor...Jose Falck Zepeda
In my presentation I describe the foundation frameworks for improving crop production in developing countries firmly based on the successes, failures and issues identified during the Green Revolution. I describe the status of Genetically Modified Biotechnology in developed and developing countries,describe the regulatory activities that examine environmental/biodiversity and food/feed safety, as GM bio-technologies are the only regulated biotechnologies globally with a few exceptions. I describe our experiences and issues related to socioeconomic assessments of potential and actual impacts of GM crops in Uganda, Philippines, Colombia and Honduras. I summarize some lessons and conclusions learned in this process.
Prevention and control of aflatoxin contamination in value chains: Contrib...Francois Stepman
25th January 2016. Roundtable of aflatoxin experts on “Building a multi-stakeholder approach to mitigate aflatoxin contamination of food and feed”.
Background: Food losses, issue of aflatoxin, challenges, abbreviations followed by GIZ project activities:
Promotion of value chains and reduction of risk of aflatoxin contamination: by the “Green Innovation Centres for the Agriculture and Food Sector”, commissioned by BMZ Special Initiative “ONEWORLD – No Hunger!”.
Further (planned) activities to reduce post-harvest losses and possible aflatoxin contamination: by various projects worldwide
Aflasafe technology in Zambia: Upscaling and dissemination in other countries in Africa: by IITA/CGIAR - CCAFS, GIZ/ITAACC, Bill&Melinda Gates Foundation, USDA, PACA and other partners
Aflatoxin risk assessment as part of the Rapid Food Loss Assessment Tool (RLAT): by Sector Project Sustainable Agriculture (SV NAREN)
Relatório de entraves e focos de atuação cnx mercado 23 03_2010Romante Rodrigues
Este relatório descreve os entraves e focos de atuação identificados para a Cooperativa de Artesãos Consturando Sonhos Sabará. Os principais entraves são a falta de conhecimento em marketing, qualidade dos produtos e capacidade produtiva. Há também necessidades técnicas de cursos de costura e corte. Financeiramente, há entraves com aluguel, água, luz e telefone, mas os valores precisam ser definidos no plano financeiro. O foco será seguir o planejamento inicial conforme o demonstrativo.
Plano de trabalho projeto social costurando sonhos cnx mercado 23_03_2010Romante Rodrigues
Este documento é um plano de trabalho para fornecer mentoria à Cooperativa de Artesãos Consturando Sonhos Sabará para estruturar sua cooperativa e desenvolver um plano de negócios. O objetivo é levantar a situação atual do grupo, identificar desafios, e desenvolver um plano de negócios para participar no mercado como uma pessoa jurídica cooperativa, abordando objetivos, estratégias de marketing, finanças, RH, custos, metas de vendas, e desenvolvimento do grupo.
BIOTECHNOLOGY
AND ITS APPLICATION TO VETERINARY SCIENCE
Carlos G. Borroto
Deputy Director, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Havana, Cuba1
A questionnaire was sent to the 29 Member Countries of the OIE Regional Commission
for the Americas and information and comments were received from the Delegates of 21 Member
Countries. The questionnaire covered aspects relating to the application of biotechnology to
animal health, especially prevention-related issues, including: the development and production of
medicinal products and vaccines; the use of metabolic modifiers, probiotics and prebiotics;
advanced veterinary diagnostic methods; immunocastration and other applications. The
questionnaire also covered the aspects of regulations and public perceptions.
The report analyses the situation in the countries of the region in relation to the state of the art in
these technologies worldwide, revealing that modern biotechnology-based technologies offer huge
potential for the production of vaccines, medicinal products and other veterinary products.
The development and use of these technologies is concentrated in a few countries of the region,
while in others they are still not in widespread use. This creates the need to publicise and provide
training in these technologies, for which suitable development conditions exist in a number of
countries in the region. It is also necessary to foster the establishment of a comprehensive and
effective regulatory framework for the safe use of these technologies from the dual standpoint of
biosafety and of the regulations established in the veterinary register. All the countries of the
region consider that it is important for the OIE to issue additional standards for the production of
veterinary products using modern biotechnology.
The document discusses designing teams and processes to adapt to changing needs. It recommends structuring teams so members can work within their competencies and across projects fluidly with clear roles and expectations. The design process should support the team and their work, and be flexible enough to change with team, organization, and project needs. An effective team culture builds an environment where members feel free to be themselves, voice opinions, and feel supported.
An immersive workshop at General Assembly, SF. I typically teach this workshop at General Assembly, San Francisco. To see a list of my upcoming classes, visit https://generalassemb.ly/instructors/seth-familian/4813
I also teach this workshop as a private lunch-and-learn or half-day immersive session for corporate clients. To learn more about pricing and availability, please contact me at http://familian1.com
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This document outlines an African position on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture. It acknowledges that GMOs could help increase food production but also recognizes safety concerns. The document discusses the polarized debate around GMOs and the need for African countries to develop consensus. It also summarizes ongoing African Union initiatives to provide guidance on biosafety and biotechnology issues, including the work of the High Level African Panel on Biotechnology and the development of an African Strategy on Biosafety.
The document discusses an African position on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture. It summarizes various initiatives by African organizations like the African Union, Southern African Development Community, and Economic Community of West African States to develop policies and guidelines around GMOs. The key recommendations are to improve information sharing on biotechnology across African countries, enhance public awareness and participation, and promote a precautionary approach to GMO approvals that ensures safety.
The document is the 2015 annual report of the BecA-ILRI Hub. It summarizes the Hub's activities over the past year, including strengthening the capacity of African scientists through partnerships between national agricultural research systems, international research institutions, and the Hub. Some of the key research highlighted includes developing strategies to control diseases affecting important crops like rice, beans and maize in Africa. The report also discusses the Hub's efforts to improve livestock productivity through research on alternative forage options and control of diseases like African swine fever. It provides an overview of the Hub's partnerships, capacity building activities, technology platforms, and financial resources in 2015.
Safe maize for Africa: Capacity and Action for Aflatoxin Reduction in Eastern...ILRI
The document describes Phase I of the Capacity and Action for Aflatoxin Reduction in Eastern Africa (CAAREA) project. It established a shared mycotoxin and nutritional analysis research platform at the BecA-ILRI Hub in Kenya to: 1) Conduct aflatoxin diagnostic testing and analysis; 2) Characterize maize fungi from Kenya and Tanzania; 3) Identify maize germplasm resistant to aflatoxin accumulation through field trials in Kenya and Tanzania. The project is a multi-national, multi-disciplinary effort that has provided tools and insights for reducing aflatoxins in the region.
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Presentation at the March 2013 dialogue workshop of the Biosciences for Farming in Africa media fellowship programme in Accra, Ghana.
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This document summarizes a presentation on policy innovations and opportunities for Africa's bioeconomy. It defines bioeconomy as the production and use of biomass through innovation and processing biomaterials. It outlines continental and regional frameworks supporting bioeconomy development in Africa. Opportunities created include sustainable production, climate resilience, new value chains, and jobs. Key enabling factors are governance, research and innovation, infrastructure, and finance. The document examines experiences in Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, and Uganda and recommends identifying priority sectors, strengthening R&D and markets, regulating sustainability, and providing advisory boards to guide bioeconomy development.
The Biosciences eastern and central Africa-International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI) Hub and the John Innes Centre (JIC) have formed an alliance to strengthen their support of African agricultural research. By leveraging their respective expertise and resources, the alliance aims to empower African scientists and institutions to address key agricultural challenges through bioscience. Initial activities under the 2014 memorandum of understanding between BecA-ILRI and JIC include transferring synthetic biology platforms, staff exchanges, and jointly training students. The goal of the ongoing collaboration is to maximize the impact of their research on food security in Africa.
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This document provides a summary of the Science with Africa conference held from March 3-7, 2008 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Around 800 participants from over 40 African countries as well as some non-African nations attended the conference. The conference focused on exploring how science, technology, and innovation can benefit Africa's development, and addressed themes such as STI policies, energy/infrastructure, agriculture/health, climate change, ICT, and capacity building. High-level speakers emphasized the importance of increasing investment in STI for achieving economic growth and poverty reduction in Africa. The conference generated ideas for new R&D projects and highlighted the need for stronger partnerships and coordination to realize Africa's development potential through the effective use
Document I Conference Report Science With Africa, March 2008Musoma Blog
This document provides a summary of the Science with Africa conference held from 3-7 March 2008 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Over 800 participants from 43 African countries as well as 23 other countries attended the conference. The conference focused on seven themes related to using science, technology and innovation to drive development in Africa, including policies, energy/infrastructure, agriculture/health, climate change, intellectual property, ICT, and capacity building. The conference highlighted the importance of investment in science and technology for Africa's economic growth and generated ideas for new research and development projects.
This document provides information on the 19th Triennial Conference of the African Potato Association (APA) including the program details. The conference will be held from June 30 to July 3, 2013 at the Great Rift Valley Lodge in Kenya. It will bring together scientists, practitioners, and other stakeholders from Africa and around the world to discuss progress and challenges in potato and sweet potato research and development. The program includes keynote speeches on topics such as improving seed potato quality, moving local seed systems to scale, and disease management. It also features oral presentations, field trips to agricultural sites, and exhibits. The goal of the conference is to advance potato and sweet potato as crops that can contribute to food and nutrition security in Africa.
BecA-ILRI Hub: Mobilizing biosciences for Africa’s developmentILRI
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The document announces the 6th Africa Agriculture Science Week and FARA General Assembly to be held from July 15-20, 2013 in Accra, Ghana. The event will bring together stakeholders in African agricultural research and development to discuss challenges and opportunities in food security. Key objectives include reviewing progress since the last event, determining the regional agenda for the next three years, and electing new FARA leadership. The week-long event will feature pre-plenary meetings on sub-themes, exhibitions, and plenary sessions to review recommendations and plan future work.
🌱 FS4Africa co-hosted the 𝟭𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 in 📍 𝗔𝗯𝘂𝗷𝗮, 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮 with NSPRI and esteemed partners❗️
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💡 Our team, represented by the project coordinator International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), actively engaged in discussions and exhibited innovative solutions at our booth, showcasing our commitment to tackling postharvest challenges.
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1. The 1st Ever All Africa Congress on Biotechnology
The Nairobi Declaration And Way Forward
Grand Regency Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya
22 - 26 September 2008
Congress Theme:
Harnessing the Potential of Biotechnology for Food Security and Socio-
economic Development in Africa.
2. PREAMBLE
The 1st All Africa Congress on Biotechnology commenced on 22nd September, 2008 with
welcome addresses by Prof. Norah Olembo (Chairperson of the Congress Organizing
Committee and Executive Director of the African Biotechnology Stakeholders Forum
(ABSF) who hosted the event and rallied partners), Dr Mpoko Bokanga, the Executive
Director of African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF); Professor Shaukat
Abdulrazak, Secretary, National Council for Science and Technology (NCST), Kenya;
the representative of Ms Rhoda Tumusime, the African Union (AU) Commissioner for
Rural Economy and Agriculture and Dr Wilson Songa, the Agriculture Secretary of the
Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), Kenya. The Honourable Assistant Minister for
Agriculture in Kenya, officially opened the Congress with the vote of thanks by the
Rapporteur-General, Prof. Diran Makinde.
Plenary sessions were addressed by eminent speakers on the status of biotechnology in
Africa and the world. The tone for the presentation in the area was set by Dr. Clive
James, ISAAA Global Director, who spoke on the Global Status of Biotech Crops.
Subsequent plenary sessions in the 5-day congress dealt with the Advancement in
Biotechnology specifically in the areas of molecular biology, bioinformatics, genomics
and biotechnology tools; Policy and Biosafety, Communication, Awareness and
Networking; the Potential Impact of Agricultural Biotechnology for Food Security and
Socio-economic Development in Africa, Farmer Participation and Public-Private Sector
Partnership.
Breakout sessions were held in which details of the topics covered by the plenary
sessions were presented.
A total of 39 countries, of which 17 were from outside Africa including USA, Canada,
Brazil, Germany, Britain, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, France, China, Australia, Pakistan,
India, Philippines, Sweden, Switzerland and Belgium and 416 delegates attended the
Biotech Congress with representation from Dozens of international organizations and
institutions, leading amongst them were: United States Agency for International
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3. Development (USAID), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Center for
Science in the Public Interest-USA, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)
Washington, Iowa State University-USA, Michigan State University-USA, Croplife
International, International Livestock Research Institute, World AgroForestry Centre
(ICRAF), International Centre for Research in Arid and Semi Arid Tropics (ICRISAT),
International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Open University - UK,
Swaminathan Research Foundation-India, Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa
(FARA), African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), ISAAA Global and
ISAAA AfriCentre, Africa Harvest Biotech Foundation International (A-Harvest),
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), International Potato
Centre (CIP),United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation
(UNESCO), United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), Africa Union (AU) and
the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, UK.
Because of its sheer magnitude, the 1st All Africa Congress on Biotechnology was
roundly sponsored by a host of leading donor organisations through resource support and
sponsorship deals for international delegates. Amongst many of the sponsors included:
Applied Biosystems Ltd, USDA, AATF, ILRI, African Union, A-Harvest, Kenya
Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), CIMMYT, ICRISAT, UNESCO, IFPRI, ISAAA
Global, Kenya Plant health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), Kenya Bureau of Standards
(KEBS), Ministry of Science and Technology in Kenya, FARA, Association for
Strengthening Agricultural Research in East and Central Africa (ASARECA), Biosafety
Train and Croplife International.
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4. The Nairobi Declaration
The delegates in the just concluded 1st All Africa Congress in Biotechnology that was
held between 22 – 26 September 2008 at the Grand Regency Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya
made the following declarations:
1. Greatly appreciated the initiative by African Biotechnology Stakeholders Forum
(ABSF) and the Agricultural Biotechnology Network in Africa (ABNETA),
together with the African Union (AU) and the Ministry of Higher Education,
Science and Technology (MOST) of Kenya and other partners in planning,
implementing and convening the biotech congress which was the first ever
congress to be organised on the continent.
2. Supported the urgent need for Africa to move at the same pace with other regions
of the world in adopting biotechnology applications for food security and the
socioeconomic development of the continent’s ever growing population.
3. Recalled and fully supported the Tripoli declaration resulting from the African
Conference in Biotechnology that was held in Libya in June 2008. Similarly, a
closer working relationship involving collaboration and partnership in
biotechnology programmes and projects between Libya and other regional
stakeholders was supported. It was resolved that the Tripoli and Nairobi
Declaration should be harmonized for mutual working relationship and benefit of
the continent in biotechnology advancement and development.
4. Appreciated the role played by international, regional and local donors who
contributed resources and sponsored delegates to the biotech congress. These
donors included Applied Biosystems, USDA, AATF, ILRI, African Union, A-
Harvest, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), CIMMYT, ICRISAT,
UNESCO, IFPRI, ISAAA Global, Ministry of Science and Technology in Kenya,
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5. FARA, ASARECA, Biosafety Train, Kenya Plant health Inspectorate Service
(KEPHIS), Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), Croplife International and others.
5. Welcomed the current initiatives by international partners including development
partners and research centres in supporting projects and Programmes towards
development of biotechnology on the continent. Leading amongst them was Bill
and Melinda Gates Foundation, International Food Policy Research Institute
(IFPRI), Croplife International, United Nations Scientific and Cultural
Organisation (UNESCO) and the work of the Consultative Group on International
Agricultural research (CGIAR Centres).
6. Welcomed the current initiatives of regional biotechnology programmes through
lead institutions including FARA, ASARECA, AATF, IFPRI, CIMMYT, ISAAA
Afri-centre and the subsequent role played by the National Agricultural Research
Centres in promoting biotechnology advancement on the continent including the
Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, Biotechnology Research Centre of Libya
and others. The congress further supported the strengthening of inter-institutional
collaborations in Africa in the area of biotechnology for the general good and
benefit of the continent’s population.
7. Resolved working towards advancement and development of biotechnologies that
were significantly safer with less potential risks to the continent’s population
either environmentally or health wise and that the urge for biotechnology
applications would be driven by Africa’s own determined demand and needs. The
best example stated was the need for Africa to urgently adopt agricultural
biotechnology to mitigate the impact of food insecurity on the continent and make
agriculture a beneficial household enterprise for millions of families that rely on
farming for their livelihoods.
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6. Biotech Congress Recommendations and Way Forward
1. Formulation of Regional Biotechnology Programmes and Projects (RBPP) under a
new harmonized umbrella to be known as the “African Biotech Outreach
Progrmme (ABOP)” to be implemented within a time frame of three years and to
be coordinated by the ABSF Secretariat and the African Union through the
Agricultural Biotechnology Network in Africa (ABNETA) and selected regional
coordinating organisations in East, West, central, Southern and North Africa.
2. Establishment of an African Biotechnology Trust Fund (ABTF) to be managed by
the African Union and coordinated by the Agricultural Biotechnology Network in
Africa (ABNETA). The fund would be utilized in the implementation of the
regional programmes and projects in biotechnology under ABOP for the common
good of the African continent and resources would be sort from key allies in
biotechnology, international trust funds, global donors and development partners
in agricultural biotechnology development and from international development
financial institutions including the World Bank and the African Development
Bank.
3. Strengthening of the Agricultural Biotechnology Network in Africa (ABNETA) to
act as a portal link for biotechnology communication, e-forum platform, resource
centre for access to biotechnology documents including reports, updates,
publications, statistical database, scientific exchange hub, interactive
biotechnology warehouse for scientists and convergence point for collated data
and information on African biotechnology development.
4. Establishment of a Regional Secretariat in Nairobi, Kenya to oversee
implementation of congress resolutions and to monitor and evaluate the post
congress programmes and projects in biotechnology. Subject to resource
mobilisation from development partners, the secretariat would have representation
from regional coordinates i.e. central. East, west, north and southern Africa. The
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7. office would act as a one stop shop for all matters related to African
biotechnology development and partnership programmes.
5. Preparation of peer reviewed congress proceedings in the form of DVD, VCD and
CD packages for distribution to all African institutions, organisations and centres
of excellence in biotechnology advancement on the continent. A follow up
publication in biotechnology would be considered and leading scientists,
institutions and organisations would be invited to write chapters for the proposed
up coming text in biotechnology for use in centres of learning and research on the
continent. Michigan State University and Iowa State University would be
incorporated in the project to promote competitive development and production of
the biotech text.
6. The African Biotechnology Stakeholders Forum, The African Union and the
Agricultural Biotechnology Network in Africa were mandated to initiate
arrangements and preparatory work for the 2nd All Africa Congress in
Biotechnology that would be planned to be held within the next 2 – 3 years in
order to review progress, learn from lessons learnt and prepare for future
challenges in African biotechnology development. Such a congress would be held
in another selected African region as per on-going consultations with stakeholders
in African biotechnology development.
7. The African Biotechnology Stakeholders Forum, The African Union and the Agricultural
Biotechnology Network in Africa were mandated to convene a post congress e-forum to
discuss various arising issues and matters that were not exhausted during the congress
deliberations including but not limited to: reactions from congress delegates; suggestions
on future activities; proposals on additional way forward; challenges and make proposals,
and a general post mortem of the biotech congress. A suitable moderator would be sort
and an interactive session would be communicated and commenced on ABNETA
(www.abneta.org) to open the e-forum. A report would be generated and developed as an
addendum to the congress proceedings and publication.
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