Agri-biotech in Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa is a hotbed of activity in agricultural biotechnology — from research initiatives for tackling local pests to commercial growing of genetically modified crops. This SciDev.Net page on "Agro-biotech in Africa links to a collection of articles and policy briefs exploring related issues.

The following documents, all searchable in SciDev.Net's archives, are recommended as an introduction to the key issues surrounding the development of agricultural biotechnology in Sub-Saharan Africa:

• Agricultural technology transfer to developing countries and the public sector (Martín Piñeiro, January 2007)
• Harmony or havoc: can the WTO, Biosafety Protocol and Codex Alimentarius work together? (Phil Bereano and Eliott Peacock, January 2005)
• Harmonising biosafety regulations within Africa (David Wafula, June 2007)
• A healthy mix: strategies for GM and non-GM crop coexistence (Eliana Fontes, April 2007) 
• Evaluating the acceptability of GM crops: the scope for autonomy in developing countries (Erik Millstone,  January 2005)
• Africa must create its own biotechnology agenda (Editorial,  June 2007)
• Agri-biotech in sub-Saharan Africa: facts and figures, a regional profile (Dominic Glover)
• Is Africa being bullied into growing GM crops? (David Fig, June 2007)
• Taking on biotechnology the African way (Jennifer Thomson, June 2007)
• Third generation GM crops: an opportunity for Africa (Idah Sithole-Niang, June 2007)