Africa’s biotechnology heroes celebrated on OFAB Day – MyJoyOnline.com

The Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) honors Africans who have contributed to the accelerated development of biotechnology to increase agricultural productivity in the continent.

OFAB, a project of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), has created 2. The nominees were honored during a ceremony to markRa OFAB Day, an annual event held in Accra, Ghana, and commended them for their contribution to the prosperity of farming in Africa.

The theme of this year’s OFAB Day was “Role of Biotechnology in Realizing Africa’s Development Aspirations”. The theme aligns with the AATF’s belief that agricultural biotechnology has a role to play in contributing to the development of Africa’s agricultural and food systems.

OFAB, now working in ten African countries, to share knowledge and experiences to create awareness on agricultural biotechnology in the achievement of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the Malabo Declaration, and the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCTA). Calls upon stakeholders contributing to the technology sector. ,

The nominees were carefully selected by the OFAB Chapter countries in consultation with the OFAB Board. Retired President of Tanzania Jakaya Mrsho Kikwete was one of the African Biotechnology Heroes honored for supporting farmers’ rights to access modern agricultural technologies and innovations.

Kikwete’s administration recognized the potential of modern biotechnology in transforming agricultural production and in the well-being of the people of Tanzania. During his first term, the government developed and adopted laws and regulations to govern the research, development and commercialization of GMOs.

The current President of All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Ark Kabir Ibrahim, who was felicitated for attracting millions of farmers to adopt genetically modified crops through his tireless and determined campaign for GM technology.

Arch Kabir has been instrumental in the adoption of Pod Borer Resistant (PBR) Cowpea, Nigeria’s first edible transgenic crop, which was just commercialized in the Nigerian seed market. He has conducted interviews on national television to sensitize the public and Nigerian farmers on the safety and benefits of the application of biotechnology in agricultural production.

Other OFAB Day Biotechnology Award winners include Daniel Mugo Magondu, President of the Society for Biotech Farmers of Kenya, Professor James M. from the University of Lilongwe Agriculture and Natural Resources. Bokosi, Malawi, Burkina Faso National Academy of Sciences, Professor of Arts, Chantal Zaungrana Kabore. The letter and Dr. Mandefro Nigusi, CEO of the Institute for Agricultural Transformation of Ethiopia.

Former MP and Leader of the Opposition in Uganda Prof Morris Ogenga Latigo was also honored along with Dr Marion Quinn from Ghana, a Plant Biotechnologist specializing in Plant Physiology, Tissue Culture, Molecular Biology, Genetic Engineering and Biosafety.,

In his speech Marion highlighted his unpopular journey of using biotechnological tools to improve crops over the years, but which is being celebrated today as a vital tool to transform African agriculture. Quine thanked the AATF for this important recognition, saying it has encouraged them to innovate more and improve farmers’ lives.

Dr Patrick Karangwa, Director General of the Rwanda Agricultural and Animal Resources Development Board, and Dr Roda Sansao Nwunga, Mozambique’s Inter-institutional Group on Biotechnology and Biosafety Coordinator, who is also the Director of the Mozambique Water Research Institute, also received OFAB Day awards.

AATF Director, Product Development and Commercialization, Dr Emmanuel Okogbenin said that the cross-section of actors were celebrated for their contribution to the advancement of agricultural biotechnology during their normal lives and activities.

“Designated policy makers, scientists and farmers have championed biotechnology not for personal gain, but because of their belief in its potential to uplift people’s livelihoods. Through their example, we learn that each of us, in our own spheres of expertise and influence, can promote the role of science in the development of Africa,” said Dr Okogbenin.

STI Director in the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr. Kwamina Quaison, who represented the Minister, said that the theme of OFAB Day resonates with the Continental Goals at a time when Africa is ramping up efforts towards food adequacy.

“Biotechnology as a relatively new science has faced resistance in Ghana due to a lack of public understanding and misinformation about the technology. The biggest challenge other African countries may face is that of scientists. and the knowledge gap among the public who are the end users of biotech products,” he said.

Prof Mike Yaw Ossei-Atweneboana, Acting Director General of CSIR, Ghana, said that since the establishment of OFAB on 18 August 2011, it has facilitated continuous dialogue and dialogue to promote the role of STIs, in particular agrobiologics. Technology Towards a Prosperous and Food-Safe Africa.

He urged the nominees to continue supporting agricultural biotechnology development and OFAB chapters in their countries.

The AATF is contributing to the wealth and health of Africa’s smallholder farmers by demonstrating that when governments, NGOs, the private sector, researchers and farmers work together, technology targeting specific production challenges and opportunities can be developed. How is progress possible to develop?

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