Biotechnology related policy, management and negotiation competence: case study from Ethiopia

The report gives an overview of relevant public management and research institutions, and institutions of higher learning including mandates and capacity. It also covers policies and legal/regulatory framework. Based on interviews with responsible staff in relevant institutions, the report summarises gaps and needs with respect to manpower, facilities and other resources, policies and regulations.

The report finds some modest biotechnology activities in universities and research institutes. The survey has found applications related to livestock (artificial insemination, diagnostics and vaccine production), plant tissue culture and micropropagation, studies of biological nitrogen-fixation, biopesticides, biogas, and characterisation of biodiversity using isozymes and molecular methods. Involved scientific staff consider biotechnology to be neglected and under-utilised.

Based on what has been learnt from the different organisations and individual expertise, the study makes the following recommendations for areas of improvement:

• capacity building: human resources and facilities
• national policies and regulatory mechanisms
• raising public awareness
• enhance negotiating competence
• promote networking
• database development and resource mapping
• promote the involvement of private sector