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Open Forum on Agricultural
Biotechnology (OFAB)

At the turn of this century, biotechnology emerged as a powerful tool that has contributed to increased agricultural productivity in many countries. Since 1996, biotechnology-derived crops have been commercially planted, and their adoption has been increasing steadily; they are now planted by over 16.7 million farmers in 29 countries and cover over 160 million hectares. (ISAAA 2011) Eleven countries growing these crops are from the developing world, for example Brazil.

The intense debate over agricultural biotechnology and its application focuses mainly on hypothetical risks and questions related to value, safety and impact (agronomic, economic and environmental). However, the last sixteen years have seen many of these questions put to rest. Numerous studies and evidence-based fact-finding missions have shown that biotechnology-derived products have been proven to be economically viable, environmentally sustainable and as safe as their conventional counterparts.

(OFAB) in Africa Nigeria Chapter

Notwithstanding, most African countries are reluctant to adopt biotechnology-derived products as the policy makers are confronted with contradictory sources of information. Scientific facts are often mixed with social, ethical and political considerations. In the face of a rapidly growing population, declining agricultural productivity and reduced resources available for agricultural research, policy makers are pressed to make the right decisions and are looking for guidance. A case in point is the establishment of the High-Level African Panel on Modern Biotechnology set up by the African Union to advise the African Heads of States on a common stand on biotechnology. At the country level, there is need for national scientists and experts to provide policy makers and the general public with evidence-based information needed to harness such technologies. And this brings us to the setting up of OFAB

(Head OFAB Unit)

Head

African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), Nairobi, the Initiator of OFAB

As an African organization set up to access and deliver proprietary technologies, including biotechnology, to increase the productivity of African smallholder farmers, the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) established OFAB, a platform to facilitate the flow of information from the scientific community to policy makers and the general public. OFAB brings together stakeholders in biotechnology/biosafety and enables interactions among them (scientists, journalists, the civil society, industrialists, lawmakers and policy makers). The Open Forum takes the form of a monthly lunch meeting that provides an opportunity for key stakeholders to know one another, share knowledge and experiences, make new contacts and explore new avenues of bringing the benefits of biotechnology to the African agricultural sector.

Key Activities of OFAB

  • Organizes public lectures, seminars, and panel discussions featuring scientists and policymakers.government officials in key biotech issues.

  • Trains journalists on biotechnology literacy and science communication
  • Offers media fellowships and reporting grants to encourage responsible reporting on GMOs.
  • Conducts outreach programs and field visits to educate farmers on biotech crop performance.
  • Shares testimonials from biotech crop users to counter misinformation.

Offers workshops and training for regulators, scientists, and CSOs on biosafety and biotechnology regulations.

  • Recognizes outstanding contributions in biotechnology communication and research.
  • Awards journalists, researchers, and policy influencers who promote responsible biotech advocacy.

The OFAB objectives are to:

To establish and manage a range of platforms that will raise the profile of biotechnology usage in agriculture for enhanced agricultural productivity

Contribute to informing policy decision making processes on matters of agricultural biotechnology through provision of factual, well researched and scientific information and participating in policy discussions

Forge strategic alliances for creating synergy and optimization of resources through convening and encouraging inter-institutional networking and knowledge sharing in the agricultural biotechnology space

Enhance targeted capacity strengthening that will improve communication across all sectors interested in biotechnology for African agricultural development

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