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Putting Biotechnology into Practice in International Development

Putting Biotechnology into Practice in International Development. Josette Lewis, Ph.D. USAID. Key Challenges. Lack of public funding for biotech research Need to build system from the laboratory to the farmer’s field Lack of experience in the public sector Complex sociopolitical environment.

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Putting Biotechnology into Practice in International Development

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  1. Putting Biotechnology into Practice in International Development Josette Lewis, Ph.D. USAID

  2. Key Challenges • Lack of public funding for biotech research • Need to build system from the laboratory to the farmer’s field • Lack of experience in the public sector • Complex sociopolitical environment

  3. Scientific Training Regulatory Framework PVP/IPR Policy Technology Transfer $ R&D Infrastructure Technology Biosafety Varietal Release Laboratory Facilities IPR Food & Env. Safety Seed Industry BIOTECHNOLOGY Agri-industry Outreach Economic Growth Food Security Improved Nutrition Market Farmers Public Outreach Extension

  4. Technology Development • Asia egg plant* potatoes groundnut rice tomatoes papaya chickpea* • Africa cowpea banana animal vaccines* cassava sweet potato* potato* • US universities, AATF, national and African regional organizations

  5. Lessons Learned • Research versus Product Development • tackle big problems - set scope too widely? • global research not likely to be picked up locally to develop products • define specific market (variety, value of trait to farmer, how to deliver) • need to manage & invest in linkages throughout process

  6. Lessons Learned • Little experience in public sector • 209 events: 44 in confined field trails 22 in large scale field trails (China) only 7 countries have 5 trials • low # of events: 54 in Africa in 20 crops 111 in Asia in 30 crops 30 in Latin America in 12 crops • public crops commercialized: papaya in US and several in China

  7. Key Challenges • Lack of public funding for biotech research • Need to build system from the laboratory to the farmer’s field • Lack of experience in the public sector • Sociopolitical context

  8. Challenge: Sociopolitical Context “I’d rather die than eat something toxic.” “Genetic modification is just a weapon to bring Indian agriculture under the domination of American corporations.” “It was my job to ensure we weren’t accused of over hastiness [in GM approvals].”

  9. Not all Bad News: Successes • Bt cotton shows that small farmers will benefit from biotechnology • Field trials in developing countries • Regulatory challenge: educating public researchers with assistance from industry • Science continues to expand the opportunities

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