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.

Aim
Through its portal, country coordinators and activities, ABNETA aims to promote communication and collaboration between researchers, breeders, farmers, entrepreneurs (businesses), journalists, policy makers and donors.

ABNETA provides clear information on issues related to biotechnology through its website and newsletters.

ABNETA provides a forum for its members to discuss issues, ideas and challenges related to agricultural biotechnology.

The ABNETA community will also gather information on the status of biotechnology research around Africa related to personnel, technical skills, laboratory facilities, protocols and the projects, crops and traits which they study.

This will help RESEARCHERS identify potential collaborators on their topic of interest, or with whom they may be able to share ideas, expensive equipment or advice on sophisticated techniques or common topics.

This will help PLANT BREEDERS find and BIOTECHNOLOGISTS find potential collaborators from other sectors.

RESEARCHERS, BREEDERS, FARMERS and ENTREPRENEURS could contact one another to discuss how to develop a technological advance into a product that will help food production.
 
This will give POLICY MAKERS and DONORS an overview of the biotechnological capacity in Africa to help them target their efforts more efficiently. It will also enable them to communicate with RESEARCHERS directly and discuss how to best support their work.

ABNETA invites FARMER BASED ORGANISATIONS to join the community so that they, as key users of the products of biotechnology, can learn about biotechnology and contribute to discussions of aims, strategies and priorities in crop research.

JOURNALISTS will be able to find clear information about biotechnology and what is currently in the news. The network could provide contacts for explanations or opinions about current events in biotechnology. ABNETA also encourages JOURNALISTS to post their own biotechnology related articles on the portal. 

ABNETA will also give scientists the opportunity to post press-releases about their research on the website for distribution to its journalist members.