ABSf

Africa Congress

Call for Papers: 2nd Announcement

The African Biotechnology Stakeholders Forum (ABSF) through its sister network, the Agricultural Biotechnology Network in Africa (ABNETA) and the African Union’s (AU) Division of Agriculture and Food Security are pleased to announce the 1st ever All Africa Congress on Biotechnology that will be held in the Kenyan Capital Nairobi, during the third quarter of 2008 i.e. 22nd  – 26th  September 2008 ....MORE
Featured Articles
African scientists and agricultural organizations welcome AGRA clarification on biotech research
AFRICAN scientists and agricultural organizations yesterday welcomed the clarification by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) that the organization “supports the use of science and technology” – including genetic modification (GM) technology – “to aid Africa’s smallholder farmers in their urgent efforts to end widespread poverty and hunger”. Five major organizations working in agriculture – AfricaBio, the Africa Biotechnology Stakeholders Forum (ABSF), Africa Harvest Biotech Foundation International (AHBFI), Biotechnology-Ecology Research and Outreach Consortium (BioEROC) and the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) – said the AGRA position is consistent with that of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) in its report on biotechnology which states that “regional economic integration in Africa should embody the building and accumulation of capacities to harness and govern modern biotechnology”. Download PDF
Kenya Finally Publishes Bio-Safety Bill.
After detailed consultations between policy makers and key stakeholders in biotechnology, the government of Kenya has finally published a Bio-Safety bill to be tabled in parliament for debate beginning July 2007. This is a significant step in the right direction for a country that heavily depends on agriculture both for food and income generation since it brings hope for efficiency in agriculture.

Once the bill is legislated, Kenyans will have an internationally recognized Bio-safety framework within which to tap the enormous benefits of biotechnology. Potential benefits include higher yields and improved crop resistance to pests and diseases. This may just mark a turning point for millions of food insecure Kenyan households who may now harvest enough food from their farms. Biotechnology applications will also enhance income generation for small holder farmers who contribute over 70% of the country’s agricultural output.