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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.
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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."
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 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.
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 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. |
Data from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) show that there was an 18 percent increase in rice production in 2008 in Africa, compared to 2007 production levels. The African Rice Center (WARDA) says that increase was brought about by WARDA member countries' adoption of key policy measures which were recommended by the Center in 2007.
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The livelihood of millions of farmers in Africa is being threatened by two fast-spreading diseases that attack banana crops. The diseases also threaten food supplies in countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania, where banana is a staple food. Scientists from all over the world met last week in Arusha, Tanzania to come up with strategies to control the rapid spread of the diseases.
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The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) AfriCenter based in Nairobi, Kenya has just released Biotech Crops in Africa -The Final Frontier. |
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