Agricultural Biotechnology Network in Africa (ABNETA)

Resources

Congress Proceedings

Download Proceedings

Partners Links

Home

Agricultural Biotechnology Network in Africa (ABNETA)

Why ABNETA

We believe that the responsible use of biotechnologies, in combination with conventional plant breeding, can contribute to the food security of Africa. However, informed decisions about their use must be left to individual countries. GM is one important biotechnology, but other non-GM biotechnologies include Tissue Culture, Marker Assisted Selection, Diagnostics. The Agricultural Biotechnology Network in Africa (ABNETA) is made up of people from across Africa who want to discuss, support, develop or use biotechnology in support of agriculture on the continent.

Plant biotechnologists at the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute are in the early stages of developing genetically modified cassava. However, one of Africa’s two largest cassava producers Nigeria –followed by DR Congo- is the major centre of focus with its GM cassava project. The ambitious attempt to bioengineer cassava into a “complete meal” took a step forward with the approval of field trials by Nigeria’s National Biosafety Committee.

The Ethiopian Parliament has approved a new biosafety bill, according to a report by the Ethiopian Review. The legislation, drafted by the Federal Environmental Protection Authority (FEPA), "contains various regulations aimed at protecting human and animal health, and biological diversity."

Teweldeberhan Gebregziabhere, FEPA head, said that the bill is "based on the international biosafety law, with local characteristics."

From the humblest of beginnings to the pinnacle of scientific acclaim, Dr. Gebisa Ejeta, an agronomy professor, plant breeder and geneticist who is a native of Ethiopia, is the winner of the 2009 World Food Prize. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton was the featured speaker as Ejeta was announced as the 2009 World Food Prize Laureate at a ceremony at the U.S. Department of State June 11 in Washington, D.C.

ABSF at Mombasa A.S.K. show

This year Mombasa ASK show theme was entitled “Driving Agri-Business in Attaining Food Sufficiency and Vision 2030". The Mombasa International Trade Fair commenced from the 12th to 16th august 2009. It was officially opened on the 13th august 2009 by President Mwai Kibaki, who is also the ASK patron, together with other ministers including the prime minister and the minister of agriculture. ABSF was hosted by KEPHIS in their Exhibition.

Newsflash

Ethiopian Parliament Okays Biosafety Law

The Ethiopian Parliament has approved a new biosafety bill, according to a report by the Ethiopian Review. The legislation, drafted by the Federal Environmental Protection Authority (FEPA), "contains various regulations aimed at protecting human and animal health, and biological diversity."