In
This Issue:
UNDP REPORT
AUTHOR CLARIFIES BIOTECH PERSPECTIVE
Sakiko Fukuda-Parr, director of the Human Development Report
Office, United Nations Development Programme and lead author
of 'Making New Technologies Work
for Human Development - Human Development Report 2001', has clarified some
points of the report that has generated much discussion.
In an open letter dated 7 August 2001, Fukuda-Parr stressed
that GM crops are not a silver bullet that can feed people.
There are complex social, political
and economic reasons for the food problem. Hence, public policies are needed
that empower poor people with jobs, education, health, equitable opportunities,
sustainable environment and natural resources, and governance.
The open letter continues to say that "Nevertheless, investing
in more research and development of GM crops is a promising
avenue for accelerating progress
in tackling global poverty and hunger challenges... Improving food security
for the world's poorest farmers means improving their productivity. The new
tools of biotechnology offer the potential for creating crop varieties that
meet the challenges of farming that they face - such as varieties that are
more tolerant of drought or saline soils."
Fukada-Parr further notes that "recognizing the potential of GM crops for developing
countries does not imply rejecting the potential and importance of other forms
of agricultural progress." Hence, the Human Development Report 2001 is focused
particularly on the new technologies because they are "driving today's technological
transformation and, together with globalization, are transforming development
challenges."
"Technology can be a tool for human development - the role of good public policy
is to shape the course of its progress to make it happen. That public policies,
nationally and globally, have so far fallen far short of that task is a compelling
reason to rethink and reform, not to condemn the technology," Fukada-Parr avers.
Read the Full Report at http://www.undp.org/hdr2001/
SOUTH AFRICA AND NIGERIA TO DEVELOP
BIOTECH
The South African Press says that its government has proceeded
to develop a final strategy on biotechnology. Five government
departments and independent
experts have already drafted this strategy which is set to be released for
public comment and eventually formulated into a government policy.
Ben Ngubane, Arts, Culture, Science and Technology Minister
was cited to have said that "Biotechnology can make an important contribution to our national
priorities, particularly in the areas of human health, food security, and environmental
sustainability." He noted that South Africa has been engaged in biotechnology
but has failed to extract value from it.
In anticipation of future developments, Ngubane said a
bio-ethics committee and biotechnology advisory council
will set up. An amount of R145 million will
be initially sought from the government to set up regional innovation centers
and research laboratories.
In related developments, a collaborative agreement for
the Cook College in New Jersey, USA and the New Jersey
Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES)
has been firmed up to assist Nigeria in developing a state-of-the-art center
for biotechnology research and development.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Cook/NAJES
and the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Science and Technology
(FMST) was signed last year to develop an
initiative in science and technology based, in part, on biotechnology.
"The development of biotechnology for the benefit of the citizens of Nigeria
is a high priority for President Obasanjo," says Dr. Adesoji Adelaja, dean of
research, Cook College, and director of research, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment
Station. "Nigeria has recently adopted a national policy for biotechnology, and
food, health and the development of the nation's research capacity are the primary
concerns. Biotechnology has significant applications, such as finding ways to
use Nigerian plants for pharmaceutical products, using in vitro fertilization
to improve cattle stock, finding vaccines for major health problems, and developing
biopesticides to reduce chemical use and improve food safety."
MEXICAN FARMERS
BENEFIT FROM GM COTTON
Highlights of a study conducted jointly by the Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento
de Maiz y Trigo and the International Service for National Agricultural Research
reveal that Mexico has benefited from agricultural biotechnology.
Researchers examined the farm level impact of Bt cotton in the Torreón area
of Coahuila, Mexico. Planting of Bt cotton has been a valuable technology due
to less pesticide use and more benefits to farmers. Cotton profitability and
competitiveness increased, and the risk of crop failure from insect infestation,
particularly from pink bollworm, was reduced.
The study further revealed that an estimated $US 2.7 million in economic benefits
were generated annually by the introduction of Bt cotton in Coahuila. Of this,
about 85% accrued to farmers and 15% to seed suppliers. Adopting farmers spent
$100 less on pest control and had $295/ha higher net revenue than non-adopting
farmers.
Three government interventions were critical in stimulating the use of Bt cotton
in Coahuila - 1) credit for financing the purchase of Bt cotton seed, 2) technical
assistance for small landholders, and 3) an effective integrated cotton pest
management program.
ITALY NOW
OPEN TO BIOTECH
Italy has reversed the previous government's blanket opposition to genetically
modified (GM) crops. The new right wing coalition government says it is not
opposed in principle to GMs, and will follow policies that promote a balanced
approach.
Minister Giovanni Alemanno noted however, that GM use could be hampered since
65% of Italians oppose the technology. Decisions on the use of GMs will be
based around a trade off of better yields and lower pesticide use against consumer
benefits in terms of food quality.
GM TRAINS TO
DOMINATE PRODUCTION SYSTEMS
The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE) says that
if premiums for non-GM grain do not evolve on a wide scale, GM grain crops
might eventually dominate world grain production systems.
Brian Fisher, ABARE executive director, added that "Grain growers will not
forgo the agronomic benefits that these crops offer if there are no penalties
attached to price or market access."
Despite consumer resistance to GM products and market access problems, price
premiums for non-GM crops have been limited. "If there's significant consumer
resistance to GM products, then you would expect the premiums for non-GM products
to be better established than they actually have been," ABARE opined.
TECHNOLOGY FOR
POTATO MINI-TUBER PRODUCTION
A simple method of producing mini-seed tubers using a modular system of plant
production is available for use. Beant Ahloowalia of the Agriculture and Food
Development Authority, Kinsealy Research Centre, Dublin, Ireland, says the
technology is suitable for developing countries and is available for free to
all Developing Member States of FAO.
Ahloowalia adds that free-consultancy service to establish the system can be
provided. Details of the technology can be obtained from articles published
in Potato Research (1999, 42:569-575) and Euphytica (1994,163-172) or by sending
an email to bahloowalia@kinsealy.teagasc.ie
***************
QUOTABLE QUOTES
***************
"We don't want to be denied this technology because
of misguided notion that we don't understand the dangers of the future consequences."
-- Nigeria's
Minister of Agricultural and Rural Development |
