Nombre de page : 0

Date de publication : 30-11--0001

Edition : Non défini

Auteur : ired.org

Type : Ouvrages

Theme :

The report analyzes the benefits and constraints of adopting genetically modified (GM) technologies to address challenges related to population, poverty, food insecurity and climate change. This report, commissioned by AfDB and prepared by IFPRI, discusses the need to transform Africa’s agriculture sector from one of historically low productivity to one that is a high-potential driver of economic development, drawing on technological and systemic improvements to foster intensification as opposed to extensification. It focuses on GM technologies in particular, as these are the most controversial, directly impacting the adoption rates of biotechnologies in Africa. Based on published evidence about the benefits and constraints of the adoption of these technologies, the report provides an overall, evidence-based snapshot of GM technology in Africa.\r\nWhile adoption of GM technology has been proceeding in many developing countries, notably in Asia and Latin America, Africa lags behind: of the 54 AfDB member countries, only Burkina Faso, South Africa, and Sudan are now planting and commercializing genetically modified (GM) crops. Other countries, including Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, and Uganda, are making important advances towards the commercialization of GM crops. Progress in most other African countries continues to be quite limited or non-existent. The report demonstrates underinvestment, weak capacity, and weak regulatory structures for biotechnology in Africa. Therefore, efforts to increase public investment in biotechnology and to upgrade and strengthen science-based, cost-effective regulatory systems should be seen as the highest priority.