Current Status of Biotechnology R&D Capacity in Africa

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1 Current Status of Biotechnology R&D Capacity in Africa Fifth Asian Biotechnology and Development Conference Bringing Benefits of Biotechnology to Small Economies December 15-17, 2010 Amaya Hills, Kandy, Sri Lanka Prof. Aggrey Ambali NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency Pretoria, South Africa

2 Global Challenge FAO estimates that global agricultural production needs to grow by 70% to feed estimated 9 billion people by 2050 The challenge is not only to increase global future production but to increase it where it is mostly needed and by those who need it most with special focus on smallholder farmers, women and rural households and their access to land, water and high quality seeds and other modern inputs. DG-FAO, Jacques Diouf

3 The African Challenge Africa has high agricultural potential yet low utilization/productivity Africa is a net importer of food 8 th AU summit in Addis Ababa in Jan endorsed the development of a 20-year African Biotechnology Strategy Strategy has specific regional technology goals and aims at developing and harmonizing national and regional regulations for the safe use of modern biotechnology.

4 The African Challenge Realities on the Ground Biotech has been identified as a tool for agric. productivity and food security in Africa Could be used to address challenges that have been difficult to resolve using conventional approaches Currently only 3 countries, South Africa, Burkina Faso and Egypt commercially cultivate biotech crops Drivers of change Science & Technology Economics Politics & Regulations

5 Biotech R&D Capacity Building Efforts in Africa Political will and support for biotechnology by AMCOST Development of NBFs in a number of countries Various sub-regional and continent-wide initiatives and institutions (SROs, NAROs, etc) exist that address capacity building in biotechnology and biosafety R&D activities ongoing at the at laboratory, greenhouse and CFT stages in a number of African countries

6 Biotech R&D Capacity Building Efforts in Africa Manpower training initiatives ongoing to produce critical mass of high level up to the PhD level in various aspects of biotechnology Currently, appreciable level of human resource but inequitable distribution across the continent NEPAD Biosciences Centers

7 Some ongoing biotech R&D activities in Africa Country (ies) Crop Trait Institutions involved South Africa Kenya Tanzania South Africa Mozambique Maize Drought tolerance, herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, insect resistance/herbicide tolerance Cassava Starch enhanced ARC-IIC Cotton Insect resistance/herbicide tolerance, herbicide tolerance Monsanto, Syngenta, Pioneer Bayer Potato Insect resistance ARC-OVI Sugarcane Alternative sugar SASRI Maize Drought tolerance AATF, NARIs in the 5 countries, CIMMYT, Monsanto, BMGF, Howard G, Buffet Foundation Source: ISAAA AfriCenter, 2009

8 Some ongoing biotech R&D activities in Africa Country (ies) Crop Trait Institutions involved Kenya Maize Insect resistance KARI, CIMMYT, Monsanto, Univ. of Ottawa, Syngenta, Rockefeller Foundations Cotton Insect resistance KARI/Monsanto Cassava CMVD resistance KARI, Danforth Plant Science Center Sweet potato Viral disease resistance KARI/Monsanto Uganda Cotton Insect resistance/herbicide tolerance NARO/Monsanto, ABSPII, USAID, Cornell University Banana Black sigatoka NARO-Ug, University of Leuven, IITA, USAID Cassava CMVD and CBSD NCRRI, CIP, Danforth Plant Science Center Source: ISAAA AfriCenter, 2009

9 Some ongoing biotech R&D activities in Africa Country (ies) Crop Trait Institutions involved Nigeria Burkina Faso Ghana Cowpea Insect resistance KARI/Monsanto South Africa Burkina Faso Kenya Sorghum Nutrient enhancement Consortium of 9 institutions led by AHBFI and funded by BMGF Nigeria Cassava Nutrient enhancement NARO-Ug, University of Leuven, IITA, USAID Maize Insect resistance Monsanto, Pioneer Egypt Cotton Salt tolerance AGERI Wheat Potato, banana, cucumber, melon, squash, tomato Drought tolerance, fungal resistance, salt tolerance Viral resistance AGERI AGERI Source: ISAAA AfriCenter, 2009

10 Status of Ag. Biotech in Africa Egypt Biotech crops commercialized South Africa - maize, cotton, soybean Egypt - maize Burkina Faso - cotton Burkina Faso Nigeria Kenya Uganda Biotech crops with field trials South Africa potatoes, wheat, etc. Kenya cotton, maize, sweet potato Egypt cotton Uganda banana, cotton, cassava, maize, etc. Nigeria cowpea, cassava+ Zimbabwe tobacco Zimbabwe South Africa None Field Trials Commercial

11 Limitations to biotech growth Absence of biosafety regulations in most countries Lack of/inadequate political will to implement biotech/biosafety policies including the Maputo declaration of committing 1% of the GDP to S&T Limited human resources with expertise in biotechnology/biosafety (compounded by brain drain) Lack of access to accurate information Inadequate infrastructure Lack of viable seed industries Nascent public-private sector partnerships Weak linkages between industry and R&D institutions

12 NEPAD s Approach to Biotech/Biosafety Development in Africa Co-evolutionary approach Strategic partnerships Demand-driven/needs-based, proactive approach CAADP Agenda CAADP's strategic functions Regional and economic communities National roundtables

13 Policy Issues in Agric Biotechnology Regulations addressing biosafety issues including environmental and food safety Intellectual Property Rights International Trade Communication and outreach for stakeholders Public/Private sector partnerships and linkages

14 Conclusions and Recommendations Technology is embedded in people and processes hence need for human and institutional capacity building Regional harmonization efforts for regulations and resource use should be encouraged Need for increased collaboration in STI for exchange of biotech/biosafety information, knowledge, and expertise North South South

15 Vision for Africa s Agricultural Future Responsible biotechnology is not the enemy, but starvation is the enemy Norman E. Borlaug