https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/ Wed, 22 Apr 2026 14:20:28 +0000 MyBB https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-8310.html Sat, 23 Dec 2017 10:29:47 +0000 Alhaji wakil]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-8310.html https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-7999.html Fri, 16 Jun 2017 20:58:54 +0000 apurba]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-7999.html https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-7931.html Thu, 04 May 2017 11:32:28 +0000 ALINANI SINGOYI]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-7931.html https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-2208.html Thu, 09 May 2013 14:27:18 +0000 NoahMachuki]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-2208.html


Sub Saharan Africa contains sixteen countries of the eighteen most undernourished countries worldwide. This is because that region registers a continually worsening per-capita production of food yearly. This is happening despite having the largest population predominantly practicing small scale farming, being the most hunger and poverty stricken region and being the continent that receives the most attention from the international community.

In low-income regions elsewhere in the world like Colombia and Asia , the introduction of fertilizer, high-yield seeds and small-scale irrigation that began in the mid-1960s boosted food productivity and opened the escape route from extreme poverty for huge populations. This agricultural takeoff in sub-Saharan is an urgent need and a possibility. This part of Africa faces a myriad of challenges that can only be resolved by introduction of new methods that can revamp agricultural production so as to enable the region cater for its immensely growing population. Sub-Saharan Africa experiences perennial droughts, animal and plant diseases, environmental degradation and climatic change, depletion on soil nutrients, soaring world food prices, political instabilities, pestilence and lack of personnel to help in revamping this important sector in the economy.

In this 21st century, The Rockefeller Foundation started a six-year program on improved crop varieties in Africa. This was based on specific pillars that have seen a major advancement in food security especially in East and South African countries. Cultivation of local talent in plant science, scientific development of more productive fertilizers and crops, modern farming methods, appropriate agricultural policies and getting government’ commitment on agriculture, creating conducive agricultural environments and irrigation were the main structures that were put in place to ensure the six-year plan was a success.

Through African agricultural research institutions, the idea of green revolution has been greatly boosted in the advancement of Norman Borlaug’s idea. Through institutions like the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) funded by the Bill & Melinda Gate Foundation, the Rockeffeler Foundation and other government sponsored institutions and universities, having African scientists have rolled their sleeves in the quest of this achievement.

Among the major achievements attained by this program, it has supported the development and release of more than one hundred new crop varieties, dozens of which is a breeding of a breakthrough rice variety that is proved equal to the challenges facing other rice farmers in Africa such as weeds, pests, weeds, drought and diseases that have hindered the rice farming for decades. Since the 1990s, new varieties have been developed including the New Rice for Africa or Nerica among others that are now been cultivated on more than 350 000 acres in the sub-Saharan African countries. These crop varieties have proved successful and sustainable in this hostile African environment.



Nerica, besides its advantages in food supply and source of income, it has far-reaching social effects. It has a short growth cycle, weed, disease and pest resistant. However, the Nerica program has been beset by problems getting the rice into the hands of farmers, and to date the only success has been in Guinea where it currently accounts for 16% of rice cultivation

The introduction of the Green revolution in Africa has however faced challenges that have seen it less successful. Some of the major reasons stated as hindering the revolution include insecurity, widespread corruption, and lack of proper infrastructure, land partitioning, lack of knowledge and general lack of political good will from African governments to appreciate and incorporate agricultural biotechnology in their farming habits. Poor infrastructure has posed a challenge in that farmers in the remote areas can no longer access modern and high-yielding farm inputs that are resistant to the hostile environmental conditions. In Africa, there is a more diverse range of suitable crops that fits the climate and soils. This makes engineering of farm inputs difficult. Yet it is possible to develop these higher-yielding crops suitable to Africa’s diverse regions, especially if the region’s farmers become part of the breeding, testing and selection processes in the production path.

Additionally, Africa has fewer teams of trained scientist that are available to put the knowledge into practice for the purposes of large breeding programs. Division of land into small pieces has also hindered the progress of the revolution. These farms favor small scale farming instead of commercial farming.

To achieve their objectives, these foundations have given in to the need of developing genetically engineered seeds and recruitment and training of local African scientists familiar with circumstances on particular areas where they work so as to practice crop-breeding programs. The Rockeffeler foundation is currently supporting 25 crop breeding teams in various agricultural research institutes as well as training 35 to 40 masters’ students and 50 plant breeding doctoral students from Africa in different learning and research institutions in the world. The founders of this foundation, however, recognize that for a full-scale Green Revolution in Africa, there is need to educate more talent so as to multiply the number of output to the desired level.]]>


Sub Saharan Africa contains sixteen countries of the eighteen most undernourished countries worldwide. This is because that region registers a continually worsening per-capita production of food yearly. This is happening despite having the largest population predominantly practicing small scale farming, being the most hunger and poverty stricken region and being the continent that receives the most attention from the international community.

In low-income regions elsewhere in the world like Colombia and Asia , the introduction of fertilizer, high-yield seeds and small-scale irrigation that began in the mid-1960s boosted food productivity and opened the escape route from extreme poverty for huge populations. This agricultural takeoff in sub-Saharan is an urgent need and a possibility. This part of Africa faces a myriad of challenges that can only be resolved by introduction of new methods that can revamp agricultural production so as to enable the region cater for its immensely growing population. Sub-Saharan Africa experiences perennial droughts, animal and plant diseases, environmental degradation and climatic change, depletion on soil nutrients, soaring world food prices, political instabilities, pestilence and lack of personnel to help in revamping this important sector in the economy.

In this 21st century, The Rockefeller Foundation started a six-year program on improved crop varieties in Africa. This was based on specific pillars that have seen a major advancement in food security especially in East and South African countries. Cultivation of local talent in plant science, scientific development of more productive fertilizers and crops, modern farming methods, appropriate agricultural policies and getting government’ commitment on agriculture, creating conducive agricultural environments and irrigation were the main structures that were put in place to ensure the six-year plan was a success.

Through African agricultural research institutions, the idea of green revolution has been greatly boosted in the advancement of Norman Borlaug’s idea. Through institutions like the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) funded by the Bill & Melinda Gate Foundation, the Rockeffeler Foundation and other government sponsored institutions and universities, having African scientists have rolled their sleeves in the quest of this achievement.

Among the major achievements attained by this program, it has supported the development and release of more than one hundred new crop varieties, dozens of which is a breeding of a breakthrough rice variety that is proved equal to the challenges facing other rice farmers in Africa such as weeds, pests, weeds, drought and diseases that have hindered the rice farming for decades. Since the 1990s, new varieties have been developed including the New Rice for Africa or Nerica among others that are now been cultivated on more than 350 000 acres in the sub-Saharan African countries. These crop varieties have proved successful and sustainable in this hostile African environment.



Nerica, besides its advantages in food supply and source of income, it has far-reaching social effects. It has a short growth cycle, weed, disease and pest resistant. However, the Nerica program has been beset by problems getting the rice into the hands of farmers, and to date the only success has been in Guinea where it currently accounts for 16% of rice cultivation

The introduction of the Green revolution in Africa has however faced challenges that have seen it less successful. Some of the major reasons stated as hindering the revolution include insecurity, widespread corruption, and lack of proper infrastructure, land partitioning, lack of knowledge and general lack of political good will from African governments to appreciate and incorporate agricultural biotechnology in their farming habits. Poor infrastructure has posed a challenge in that farmers in the remote areas can no longer access modern and high-yielding farm inputs that are resistant to the hostile environmental conditions. In Africa, there is a more diverse range of suitable crops that fits the climate and soils. This makes engineering of farm inputs difficult. Yet it is possible to develop these higher-yielding crops suitable to Africa’s diverse regions, especially if the region’s farmers become part of the breeding, testing and selection processes in the production path.

Additionally, Africa has fewer teams of trained scientist that are available to put the knowledge into practice for the purposes of large breeding programs. Division of land into small pieces has also hindered the progress of the revolution. These farms favor small scale farming instead of commercial farming.

To achieve their objectives, these foundations have given in to the need of developing genetically engineered seeds and recruitment and training of local African scientists familiar with circumstances on particular areas where they work so as to practice crop-breeding programs. The Rockeffeler foundation is currently supporting 25 crop breeding teams in various agricultural research institutes as well as training 35 to 40 masters’ students and 50 plant breeding doctoral students from Africa in different learning and research institutions in the world. The founders of this foundation, however, recognize that for a full-scale Green Revolution in Africa, there is need to educate more talent so as to multiply the number of output to the desired level.]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-2205.html Wed, 08 May 2013 12:09:09 +0000 NoahMachuki]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-2205.html


During the apartheid regime, South Africa found itself in isolation from the rest of the global community. However, she has made huge strides in the development of health and agricultural biotechnology. Today, she is one of the leading sub-Saharan countries that have domesticated biotechnology both in Agriculture and health sectors and is an exporter of biotechnology products.

In the health sector, South Africa has moved with speed to address HIV-AIDS menace by leading the way in finding solutions to this public health. Currently, at the University of Cape Town, there are six potential novel candidate vaccines that are under evaluation. In the late 2003, she did two phase 1 trials for the vaccines, emerging the first African country to carry out multiple HIV-AIDS vaccine trials. Additionally, she was the first country to do trials on preventive vaccine against HIV-1 C subtype3 in partnership with international public-private partnership (PPP), the national institute for communicable diseases and the medical research council (MRC). To enhance this, the government of the republic of South Africa has cultivated public-private partnership between domestic and international players that has heavily supported work on Tuberculosis, malaria, HIV-AIDS. Additionally, she has created three biotechnology innovation centers that act as the nuclei platform for all biotechnology related concerns. These centers are; the East Coast Biotechnology Consortium (EcoBio), Cape Biotechnology Initiative and Biopad in Johannesburg. In South Africa, biotechnology tools used in agriculture include; molecular diagnostics, tissue culture, marker assisted selection, molecular characterization and genetic modifications. Most of the sub Saharan African countries have developed and domesticated the use of tissue culture in the development of crops that are of high quality, disease and pest resistant, drought resistant and early maturity. However, the application of genetically modified crops using genetic modification technology is limited to some countries including South Africa. The genetically modified crops commercially produced in South Africa are cotton, maize and soybean.

In animal agriculture, major biotechnology-based research programs have been put in place to promote production and good health. For example, there has been identification, cloning and expression of genes together with preparation of prototype viral-vectored and genetic vaccines for bovine ephemeral fever, African horse sickness, rift valley fever, Newcastle disease and lumpy skin fever. This has seen veterinary sector flourish in this African country. This research is mainly carried out by Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute (ARC-OVI), a flagship institution of the Agricultural Research Council.

Crops such as melon, tomato and potato have undergone in-house genetic transformations. There have been genetic transformations of three potato cultivars that confer resistance to potato virus Y and potato leaf-roll virus. Additionally, there has been a gene transfer system for flowering bulbs of indigenous origin. This has been achieved by ARC-Roodeplaat Biotechnology Division.

Biotechnology measures have been incorporated in the production of guava, papaya, pineapple, ginger, avocado and coffee through tissue culture techniques in breeding programs. This is developed by ARC - Institute for Tropical and Sub-
Tropical Crops.

South African institutions have come up with embryo rescue techniques in order to create inter-specific crosses in dry beans and also facilitate sunflower breeding. They have developed techniques in plant regeneration from cells and tissues in order to create transgenic plants through ballistic bombardment in groundnuts. The use of marker assisted selection for nematode resistance in soybean has also been domesticated. Additionally, in the quest to produce disease free dry been seeds, meristem culture techniques have been introduced and are on advanced research levels. South Africa has seen the incorporation of foreign genes in the enhancement of herbicide resistance in lupins and drought resistance in the highly planted groundnuts, DNA level cultivar identification in soybean, sunflowers and groundnuts. Nevertheless, there has been breeding of maize cultivars that are disease resistant to ear rot and maize streak diseases. All this has been done by ARC- Grain Crops Research Institute.

There is a major development in successfully transforming and regenerating of a maize (strain HI-II), a laboratory strain of maize through genetic engineering of cereals, enhancement of protein quality of sorghum through genetic modifications and genetic enhancement of maize in order to promote food safety. Maize safety has been enhanced through the introduction of four plant anti-fungal genes that combat contamination by Fusarium moniliform, a post harvest pathogen, which produces mycotoxin, toxic to animals and human beings. This research was done by CSIR (Foodtek /Bio-chemtek).

The university of Stellenbosch (institute of wine biotechnology and institute of plant biotechnology) established an efficient regeneration and transformation systems for grapevine, and the construction of genomic and cDNA libraries for grapevine cultivars. Also, they have identified grave cultivars using genetic marker technology, cloned and characterized PGIP encoding gene in grapevine. This research institute has also come up with characterization and genetic manipulation of carbon flow in grapes and sugarcane crops. This has helped the alcohol and wine production industries produce new and desired type of brands for consumption. However, health concerns are the emerging developments in this field.

Micro-propagation techniques of indigenous trees, for example, marula and development of vaccines for diseases in the poultry industry has been achieved through research done by the University of the North and the University of the Free State respectively. The University of Cape Town in collaboration with PANNAR has developed reliable techniques for regeneration and transformation of local maize varieties, engineered transgenic resistant maize crops against maize streak virus and also has probed the tolerance of plants to desiccation.

Having said these advances in biotechnology, this African state has faced challenges in the implementation of policies to support full domestication of the discoveries. There is also lack of human resources in terms of researchers and R&D personnel due to brain drain and disparities in educational institutions based on race. There is also a relatively limited level of venture capital investment in Research and Development in health biotechnology.]]>


During the apartheid regime, South Africa found itself in isolation from the rest of the global community. However, she has made huge strides in the development of health and agricultural biotechnology. Today, she is one of the leading sub-Saharan countries that have domesticated biotechnology both in Agriculture and health sectors and is an exporter of biotechnology products.

In the health sector, South Africa has moved with speed to address HIV-AIDS menace by leading the way in finding solutions to this public health. Currently, at the University of Cape Town, there are six potential novel candidate vaccines that are under evaluation. In the late 2003, she did two phase 1 trials for the vaccines, emerging the first African country to carry out multiple HIV-AIDS vaccine trials. Additionally, she was the first country to do trials on preventive vaccine against HIV-1 C subtype3 in partnership with international public-private partnership (PPP), the national institute for communicable diseases and the medical research council (MRC). To enhance this, the government of the republic of South Africa has cultivated public-private partnership between domestic and international players that has heavily supported work on Tuberculosis, malaria, HIV-AIDS. Additionally, she has created three biotechnology innovation centers that act as the nuclei platform for all biotechnology related concerns. These centers are; the East Coast Biotechnology Consortium (EcoBio), Cape Biotechnology Initiative and Biopad in Johannesburg. In South Africa, biotechnology tools used in agriculture include; molecular diagnostics, tissue culture, marker assisted selection, molecular characterization and genetic modifications. Most of the sub Saharan African countries have developed and domesticated the use of tissue culture in the development of crops that are of high quality, disease and pest resistant, drought resistant and early maturity. However, the application of genetically modified crops using genetic modification technology is limited to some countries including South Africa. The genetically modified crops commercially produced in South Africa are cotton, maize and soybean.

In animal agriculture, major biotechnology-based research programs have been put in place to promote production and good health. For example, there has been identification, cloning and expression of genes together with preparation of prototype viral-vectored and genetic vaccines for bovine ephemeral fever, African horse sickness, rift valley fever, Newcastle disease and lumpy skin fever. This has seen veterinary sector flourish in this African country. This research is mainly carried out by Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute (ARC-OVI), a flagship institution of the Agricultural Research Council.

Crops such as melon, tomato and potato have undergone in-house genetic transformations. There have been genetic transformations of three potato cultivars that confer resistance to potato virus Y and potato leaf-roll virus. Additionally, there has been a gene transfer system for flowering bulbs of indigenous origin. This has been achieved by ARC-Roodeplaat Biotechnology Division.

Biotechnology measures have been incorporated in the production of guava, papaya, pineapple, ginger, avocado and coffee through tissue culture techniques in breeding programs. This is developed by ARC - Institute for Tropical and Sub-
Tropical Crops.

South African institutions have come up with embryo rescue techniques in order to create inter-specific crosses in dry beans and also facilitate sunflower breeding. They have developed techniques in plant regeneration from cells and tissues in order to create transgenic plants through ballistic bombardment in groundnuts. The use of marker assisted selection for nematode resistance in soybean has also been domesticated. Additionally, in the quest to produce disease free dry been seeds, meristem culture techniques have been introduced and are on advanced research levels. South Africa has seen the incorporation of foreign genes in the enhancement of herbicide resistance in lupins and drought resistance in the highly planted groundnuts, DNA level cultivar identification in soybean, sunflowers and groundnuts. Nevertheless, there has been breeding of maize cultivars that are disease resistant to ear rot and maize streak diseases. All this has been done by ARC- Grain Crops Research Institute.

There is a major development in successfully transforming and regenerating of a maize (strain HI-II), a laboratory strain of maize through genetic engineering of cereals, enhancement of protein quality of sorghum through genetic modifications and genetic enhancement of maize in order to promote food safety. Maize safety has been enhanced through the introduction of four plant anti-fungal genes that combat contamination by Fusarium moniliform, a post harvest pathogen, which produces mycotoxin, toxic to animals and human beings. This research was done by CSIR (Foodtek /Bio-chemtek).

The university of Stellenbosch (institute of wine biotechnology and institute of plant biotechnology) established an efficient regeneration and transformation systems for grapevine, and the construction of genomic and cDNA libraries for grapevine cultivars. Also, they have identified grave cultivars using genetic marker technology, cloned and characterized PGIP encoding gene in grapevine. This research institute has also come up with characterization and genetic manipulation of carbon flow in grapes and sugarcane crops. This has helped the alcohol and wine production industries produce new and desired type of brands for consumption. However, health concerns are the emerging developments in this field.

Micro-propagation techniques of indigenous trees, for example, marula and development of vaccines for diseases in the poultry industry has been achieved through research done by the University of the North and the University of the Free State respectively. The University of Cape Town in collaboration with PANNAR has developed reliable techniques for regeneration and transformation of local maize varieties, engineered transgenic resistant maize crops against maize streak virus and also has probed the tolerance of plants to desiccation.

Having said these advances in biotechnology, this African state has faced challenges in the implementation of policies to support full domestication of the discoveries. There is also lack of human resources in terms of researchers and R&D personnel due to brain drain and disparities in educational institutions based on race. There is also a relatively limited level of venture capital investment in Research and Development in health biotechnology.]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-2175.html Wed, 01 May 2013 10:41:24 +0000 NoahMachuki]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-2175.html
Since there is an urgent need for improved food production for the African people, appreciation of biotechnology serves as the best solution to challenges facing agriculture and disease therapy. Amalgamation of biotechnological solutions to solve biotic and abiotic setbacks in agriculture could help in reducing the general costs of agrochemicals thus maximizing profits and production of surplus for exportation to other countries in the world.

Kenya is one of the sub Saharan countries that has put the efforts to curb these challenges facing her. She has put structures in place to improve productivity through application of both conventional and modern biotechnology. Noticeably, Kenyan scientists have embarked on the use of molecular markers to build specific linkage maps. In essence, this has helped her to extract genes that promote livestock and crop breeding in sub Saharan countries. These mapped markers are used to select traits useful in cross-breeding practices. For instance, development of disease resistant strains especially maize streak virus and generation of pests, insects and drought tolerant crops.

These countries have also put every effort to develop Specific programs and capacities in the development of transgenic crop varieties through genetic modifications. Application of tissue culture techniques is now common place in most of these countries. This has also generated disease-free seedlings and highly productive crops. Crops like banana, potato, pyrethrum, cassava, flowers and sugarcane have been commercialized because of the profits gained due to tissue culture. To confirm the strides made by these countries, Egypt has developed transgenic potatoes, beans, maize and tomato, Kenya has come up with transgenic sweet potatoes resistant to viruses, a project carried out by Monsanto Company and also use of Rhizobium inoculants in the production of leguminous crops, while South Africa has developed tobacco species that are resistant to herbicides.

In the fight against crop pests and diseases, the use of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is widespread in these countries. Bacillus thuringiensis is a naturally occurring soil bacterium that is toxic to crop pests. It has been used in most of these countries to control African armyworm, Bean armyworm, Cabbage looper, African bollworm, Beet armyworm, Cabbage moth, Spotted bollworm, Cabbage webworm, Diamondback moth, Cotton leafworm, Green looper, Giant looper, Tomato loope, Pod borers and Spiny bollworm. The use of this bio-pesticide has been considered efficient organic farming. It is easy to apply, environmental friendly and cheap. Bacillus thuringiensis is sprayed on the plant coverings. When it is ingested by these insects, it paralyzes their digestive system leading to starvation and death.

Recombinant DNA vaccines have also got their way into these countries to remedy livestock diseases. The most controlled livestock diseases are the Rift Valley fever and rinderpest in Kenya. This encourages livestock farmers since they cheaply buy these vaccines and also promote international livestock export business networks.



Why resort to Biotechnology.

- These countries face a myriad of challenges in the dynamic world of Agriculture, a field that is considered to be a backbone in their economies. These challenges, which include biotic and abiotic, have seen per capita food output decline significantly.

- Shortage of arable land for farming: Soil erosion and desertification due to topography and human industrial activities have consumed arable lands. Additionally, due to population increase, land in these countries has been subdivided into small plots for settlement and small scale farming. This has not augured well to large scale agriculture. Therefore, due to this shortage of arable farming, intensive biotechnological techniques are required to energize this main economical field for these countries.

- Shortage of rainfall: Studies have revealed a consistent drying trend over years in these countries. Drought has become a common occurrence in most of African Sub-Saharan countries. Poor and primitive agricultural practices are the main reasons that have precipitated this trend. Development of early maturing livestock breeds and crops and drought resistant crops is essential. Modification of crops and livestock is important so as to develop adaptability to these unprecedented climatic changes in Africa. This can be achieved through genetic engineering and tissue culture.

- Soil infertility: Inadequate rainfall that is enormously experienced in these African countries is always compounded with soil infertility. The sandy soils of these regions are prone to soil degradation and erosion which in turn makes it deficient of important soil minerals and nutrients. They consequentially lack phosphorus, sulfur and have insufficient organic matter.

This situation calls for application of chemical fertilizers that are sold expensively in these countries due to increased taxes in farm inputs. However, those who afford these fertilizers use them sparingly in such a way that does not meet crops’ requirements. Additionally, the application of these fertilizers modifies soil PH and structure leading to soil erosion. Eutrophication is also a common happening in these areas. Therefore, a call for development of new methods of production of farm inputs through biotechnology is necessary.

- Pests and diseases: The measure of pest and disease infection in Sub-Sahara Africa is manifest in the high demand farmers have for pest and disease control chemicals. Kenya is an epitome example in this situation. It records the highest rates of purchase of insecticides, fungicides, plant hormones and herbicides. The highest losses to crop and animal damage due to pests and diseases are also recorded in some of these countries. Application of biotechnological means can effectively solve these issues that threaten the progress of agricultural activities. It can allow development of disease and crop resistant crops and animals.

However, in their quest to domesticate biotechnology, these African countries face few hurdles that need to be addressed. This involve establishment of national regulatory structures and policies that govern biosafety measures and protection of intellectual property, lack of political goodwill in the implementation of these policies and poor biotechnological knowledge base in the African higher learning and research institutions.]]>
Since there is an urgent need for improved food production for the African people, appreciation of biotechnology serves as the best solution to challenges facing agriculture and disease therapy. Amalgamation of biotechnological solutions to solve biotic and abiotic setbacks in agriculture could help in reducing the general costs of agrochemicals thus maximizing profits and production of surplus for exportation to other countries in the world.

Kenya is one of the sub Saharan countries that has put the efforts to curb these challenges facing her. She has put structures in place to improve productivity through application of both conventional and modern biotechnology. Noticeably, Kenyan scientists have embarked on the use of molecular markers to build specific linkage maps. In essence, this has helped her to extract genes that promote livestock and crop breeding in sub Saharan countries. These mapped markers are used to select traits useful in cross-breeding practices. For instance, development of disease resistant strains especially maize streak virus and generation of pests, insects and drought tolerant crops.

These countries have also put every effort to develop Specific programs and capacities in the development of transgenic crop varieties through genetic modifications. Application of tissue culture techniques is now common place in most of these countries. This has also generated disease-free seedlings and highly productive crops. Crops like banana, potato, pyrethrum, cassava, flowers and sugarcane have been commercialized because of the profits gained due to tissue culture. To confirm the strides made by these countries, Egypt has developed transgenic potatoes, beans, maize and tomato, Kenya has come up with transgenic sweet potatoes resistant to viruses, a project carried out by Monsanto Company and also use of Rhizobium inoculants in the production of leguminous crops, while South Africa has developed tobacco species that are resistant to herbicides.

In the fight against crop pests and diseases, the use of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is widespread in these countries. Bacillus thuringiensis is a naturally occurring soil bacterium that is toxic to crop pests. It has been used in most of these countries to control African armyworm, Bean armyworm, Cabbage looper, African bollworm, Beet armyworm, Cabbage moth, Spotted bollworm, Cabbage webworm, Diamondback moth, Cotton leafworm, Green looper, Giant looper, Tomato loope, Pod borers and Spiny bollworm. The use of this bio-pesticide has been considered efficient organic farming. It is easy to apply, environmental friendly and cheap. Bacillus thuringiensis is sprayed on the plant coverings. When it is ingested by these insects, it paralyzes their digestive system leading to starvation and death.

Recombinant DNA vaccines have also got their way into these countries to remedy livestock diseases. The most controlled livestock diseases are the Rift Valley fever and rinderpest in Kenya. This encourages livestock farmers since they cheaply buy these vaccines and also promote international livestock export business networks.



Why resort to Biotechnology.

- These countries face a myriad of challenges in the dynamic world of Agriculture, a field that is considered to be a backbone in their economies. These challenges, which include biotic and abiotic, have seen per capita food output decline significantly.

- Shortage of arable land for farming: Soil erosion and desertification due to topography and human industrial activities have consumed arable lands. Additionally, due to population increase, land in these countries has been subdivided into small plots for settlement and small scale farming. This has not augured well to large scale agriculture. Therefore, due to this shortage of arable farming, intensive biotechnological techniques are required to energize this main economical field for these countries.

- Shortage of rainfall: Studies have revealed a consistent drying trend over years in these countries. Drought has become a common occurrence in most of African Sub-Saharan countries. Poor and primitive agricultural practices are the main reasons that have precipitated this trend. Development of early maturing livestock breeds and crops and drought resistant crops is essential. Modification of crops and livestock is important so as to develop adaptability to these unprecedented climatic changes in Africa. This can be achieved through genetic engineering and tissue culture.

- Soil infertility: Inadequate rainfall that is enormously experienced in these African countries is always compounded with soil infertility. The sandy soils of these regions are prone to soil degradation and erosion which in turn makes it deficient of important soil minerals and nutrients. They consequentially lack phosphorus, sulfur and have insufficient organic matter.

This situation calls for application of chemical fertilizers that are sold expensively in these countries due to increased taxes in farm inputs. However, those who afford these fertilizers use them sparingly in such a way that does not meet crops’ requirements. Additionally, the application of these fertilizers modifies soil PH and structure leading to soil erosion. Eutrophication is also a common happening in these areas. Therefore, a call for development of new methods of production of farm inputs through biotechnology is necessary.

- Pests and diseases: The measure of pest and disease infection in Sub-Sahara Africa is manifest in the high demand farmers have for pest and disease control chemicals. Kenya is an epitome example in this situation. It records the highest rates of purchase of insecticides, fungicides, plant hormones and herbicides. The highest losses to crop and animal damage due to pests and diseases are also recorded in some of these countries. Application of biotechnological means can effectively solve these issues that threaten the progress of agricultural activities. It can allow development of disease and crop resistant crops and animals.

However, in their quest to domesticate biotechnology, these African countries face few hurdles that need to be addressed. This involve establishment of national regulatory structures and policies that govern biosafety measures and protection of intellectual property, lack of political goodwill in the implementation of these policies and poor biotechnological knowledge base in the African higher learning and research institutions.]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-1998.html Thu, 24 Jan 2013 15:02:54 +0000 Kiran S Manjady]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-1998.html
Kenyan government put a total ban on GM foods on November 21, 2012. The order was initially passed by Kenyan cabinet on November 8 pointing out the safety issues of the GM foods and later on November 21, the Kenyan Ministry of Public Health ordered for the ban. The structural corn deficit of Kenya will rapidly rise from 300,000 metric tons according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) thanks to this ban. The import of GM foods through the port of Mombasa was already in a crisis following the strict rules on bio safety passed in 2009. Now these imports will certainly come to a complete stop as any movements to break the ban is subject to prosecution. This ban was an after effect of the studies conducted by Gilles Eric Seralini et. al, which was released by the French university. This is one among the studies which was very badly received by the whole scientific community. Seralini conducted studies on the side effects of GM foods on rats. His studies found rats getting cancer because of the prolonged use of the GM foods. Seralini used genetically modified corns which were developed for herbicide resistance. His studies stated that rodents were affected with cancer when regularly fed with this particular variety of corn called NK603. Even though many opinioned that this study does not have enough scientific adequacy, many countries like Russia and Kazakhstan put an immediate ban on the import of NK603 following the release of the Seralini’s study reports. But following the reports Kenya put a complete ban on any import or business of all kinds of GM foods. This ban is also in accordance with the National Bio safety Act of 2009, Kenya. Most of the biotechnology community spread over the whole globe opinions that even the whole National Bio safety Act will block further researches and developments in Kenyan biotechnology field, even though its objectives are very simple that includes consideration of safety issues created by the modern biotechnology activities, and to avoid any effect on human health.

Kenya is a country that suffered from severe famine just a couple of years ago. It was caused because of extreme draught conditions. The United Nations statistics account that around 3.75 million Kenyan people were affected because of the famine. The GM foods have got the capability of making the country overcoming any such future crisis in the country. But the recent exercise of ban on GM foods puts this solution in a hold. Drought conditions in Kenya will disable any attempts of recovering the nation’s food security by conventional cultivation methods. This can view can be strengthened by the fact that some areas of the country still records a single water source for around 45 kilometers of radius during some seasons of the year. Imported GM foods have already played a vital role in overcoming the famine conditions of Kenya. Future precaution methods could have been taken by genetical modification of crops that can enable the crop plants to survive and yield better in low water conditions. The National Bio safety Authority board chair Miriam Kinyua says that the ban will not affect any bio technology researches that are being held in the country and they all will continue. And she further explains that this ban will only intensify the researches in order to provide better and clear data about the safety aspects of genetically modified food. But the scientists respond negatively to this statement and they opinion that any researches going on within the country related to genetically modified organisms will come to a complete halt if the government refuses to rethink their decision.

The African Biotechnology Stakeholders Forum (ABSF) requested the Kenyan government to immediately reconsider the decision of ban on GM foods. But Kenyan government currently announced that it will think on lifting the ban only after a crystal clear report on the safety of genetically modified organisms are obtained. The study conducted by Seralini is questioned by food safety authorities all over the world. This is because Seralini’s study does not have proper design and methodology techniques. These set of food safety authorities include European Food Safety Authority. Following the release of study results by Seralini and the ban on GM foods by Kenyan government a proposal has been sent to the Permanent Representative Council of African Union. A final verdict on this matter can be expected after the African Union summit (AU summit), which will be held from January 20th to 28th, 2013. The matter will be discussed for final decisions in the AU summit. This proposal is backed up by a shocking report stating that GM food did not deliver any the advantages that it was supposed to deliver. African Union is likely to pass this decision of complete ban on GM foods considering small scale famers and retailers across the continent. They are still in pursuit of clinging to their own conventional methods of agriculture, which will is sure not to help them from overcoming the constant food crisis that the continent is facing.

A big part of African continent is stuck with poverty and famine. Many are still dying because of hunger. This situation makes the primary objective of the continent to ensure food security and eradicate poverty. The genetically modified foods are capable of giving a big hand in ensuring food security to the whole continent. They will enable to grow better yielding crops in conditions which are less favoring for the plant growth. The Kenyan government and African Union should take necessary steps to ensure the food safety of GM foods. This is necessary for Africa than any other continent in the globe, since they are the ones who are facing the risk of food security most. Immediate reconsideration of the ban after ensuring safety is essential.]]>
Kenyan government put a total ban on GM foods on November 21, 2012. The order was initially passed by Kenyan cabinet on November 8 pointing out the safety issues of the GM foods and later on November 21, the Kenyan Ministry of Public Health ordered for the ban. The structural corn deficit of Kenya will rapidly rise from 300,000 metric tons according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) thanks to this ban. The import of GM foods through the port of Mombasa was already in a crisis following the strict rules on bio safety passed in 2009. Now these imports will certainly come to a complete stop as any movements to break the ban is subject to prosecution. This ban was an after effect of the studies conducted by Gilles Eric Seralini et. al, which was released by the French university. This is one among the studies which was very badly received by the whole scientific community. Seralini conducted studies on the side effects of GM foods on rats. His studies found rats getting cancer because of the prolonged use of the GM foods. Seralini used genetically modified corns which were developed for herbicide resistance. His studies stated that rodents were affected with cancer when regularly fed with this particular variety of corn called NK603. Even though many opinioned that this study does not have enough scientific adequacy, many countries like Russia and Kazakhstan put an immediate ban on the import of NK603 following the release of the Seralini’s study reports. But following the reports Kenya put a complete ban on any import or business of all kinds of GM foods. This ban is also in accordance with the National Bio safety Act of 2009, Kenya. Most of the biotechnology community spread over the whole globe opinions that even the whole National Bio safety Act will block further researches and developments in Kenyan biotechnology field, even though its objectives are very simple that includes consideration of safety issues created by the modern biotechnology activities, and to avoid any effect on human health.

Kenya is a country that suffered from severe famine just a couple of years ago. It was caused because of extreme draught conditions. The United Nations statistics account that around 3.75 million Kenyan people were affected because of the famine. The GM foods have got the capability of making the country overcoming any such future crisis in the country. But the recent exercise of ban on GM foods puts this solution in a hold. Drought conditions in Kenya will disable any attempts of recovering the nation’s food security by conventional cultivation methods. This can view can be strengthened by the fact that some areas of the country still records a single water source for around 45 kilometers of radius during some seasons of the year. Imported GM foods have already played a vital role in overcoming the famine conditions of Kenya. Future precaution methods could have been taken by genetical modification of crops that can enable the crop plants to survive and yield better in low water conditions. The National Bio safety Authority board chair Miriam Kinyua says that the ban will not affect any bio technology researches that are being held in the country and they all will continue. And she further explains that this ban will only intensify the researches in order to provide better and clear data about the safety aspects of genetically modified food. But the scientists respond negatively to this statement and they opinion that any researches going on within the country related to genetically modified organisms will come to a complete halt if the government refuses to rethink their decision.

The African Biotechnology Stakeholders Forum (ABSF) requested the Kenyan government to immediately reconsider the decision of ban on GM foods. But Kenyan government currently announced that it will think on lifting the ban only after a crystal clear report on the safety of genetically modified organisms are obtained. The study conducted by Seralini is questioned by food safety authorities all over the world. This is because Seralini’s study does not have proper design and methodology techniques. These set of food safety authorities include European Food Safety Authority. Following the release of study results by Seralini and the ban on GM foods by Kenyan government a proposal has been sent to the Permanent Representative Council of African Union. A final verdict on this matter can be expected after the African Union summit (AU summit), which will be held from January 20th to 28th, 2013. The matter will be discussed for final decisions in the AU summit. This proposal is backed up by a shocking report stating that GM food did not deliver any the advantages that it was supposed to deliver. African Union is likely to pass this decision of complete ban on GM foods considering small scale famers and retailers across the continent. They are still in pursuit of clinging to their own conventional methods of agriculture, which will is sure not to help them from overcoming the constant food crisis that the continent is facing.

A big part of African continent is stuck with poverty and famine. Many are still dying because of hunger. This situation makes the primary objective of the continent to ensure food security and eradicate poverty. The genetically modified foods are capable of giving a big hand in ensuring food security to the whole continent. They will enable to grow better yielding crops in conditions which are less favoring for the plant growth. The Kenyan government and African Union should take necessary steps to ensure the food safety of GM foods. This is necessary for Africa than any other continent in the globe, since they are the ones who are facing the risk of food security most. Immediate reconsideration of the ban after ensuring safety is essential.]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-1514.html Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:48:28 +0000 tchafack]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-1514.html -the status of molecular biology and biotecnology iin africa.
-how can biotec contribute to its development
-possible barries
-and how can we convince the goverment to change and accept biotec
im so confused and i have never been to africa, and i do not know where to start, can someone help me with some ideals]]> -the status of molecular biology and biotecnology iin africa.
-how can biotec contribute to its development
-possible barries
-and how can we convince the goverment to change and accept biotec
im so confused and i have never been to africa, and i do not know where to start, can someone help me with some ideals]]>