Main description:

This book offers a comprehensive analysis of the application level for various agricultural biotechnologies across Sub-Saharan Africa. The authors examine the capacity available as well as the enabling environment, including policy and investments, for facilitating agricultural biotechnology development and use in the region. For each Sub-Saharan country, the status of biotechnology application is assessed in four major sectors; Crops, Livestock, Forestry and Aquaculture. Examples such as the number and requisite skill levels of trained personnel, biosafety frameworks and public awareness are surfaced in these chapters. This work also discusses the impact of push-pull factors on research, training and food security and identifies opportunities for investment in biotechnology and local agribusiness.
Development partners, policy makers, agricultural consultants as well as scientists and private sector investors with an interest in biotechnology initiatives in Sub-Saharan Africa will find this collection an important account to identify key gaps in capacity and policy, as well as priority areas going forward. The volume highlights ways to develop technology and increase agricultural production capacity through international cooperation and inclusive economic growth, making it a valuable practice guide in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, in particular SDG 2 Zero Hunger and SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth. Clear case studies round off the reading experience.

Contents:

Preliminary
Book Editors: J.E.O. Rege and Keith Sones
ed.rege@emerge-africa.org, keith@sones.info

Chapter 1: Introduction (J.E.O. Rege & Keith Sones)
ed.rege@emerge-africa.org

The definition and spectrum of ag biotech; the African experience to date; the objectives of the book and how it is organized

Chapter 2: The state of Applications of Agricultural Biotechnology in Sub-Saharan Africa (Dan Kiambi, Joel W. Ochieng' and J.E.O. Rege)
dionysious.kiambi@pacuniversity.ac.ke

Extent of applications of ag biotech (from low- to high-tech) by sectors (crops, livestock, fisheries, and forestry); differences in applications (within and across sectors) by countries and sub-regions of Africa

Chapter 3: The state of Capacities for Agricultural Biotechnology in Sub-Saharan Africa (J.E.O. Rege, Joel W. Ochieng' and Dan Kiambi)
ed.rege@emerge-africa.org

Including access to complementary technologies (e.g. ICT); others?

Chapter 4: The state of Enabling Environment for Agricultural Biotechnology in Sub-Saharan Africa (J.E.O Rege, Dan Kiambi, and Joel W. Ochieng')
ed.rege@emerge-africa.org

Policy, legislation, investments, links to capacity, IP, etc.

Chapter 5: Impacts of Biotechnology on Sub-Saharan African Agriculture (J.E.O. Rege and Keith Sones)
ed.rege@emerge-africa.org

Qualitative and quantitative outcomes and impacts of ag biotech applications in Africa by sectors (crops, livestock, fisheries, and forestry); Economic (e.g. cost-benefit of these technologies) and social dimensions (e.g. social acceptance?); Are smallholders winning or losing? Win-win possibilities for future

Chapter 6: Gaps and Opportunities for Agricultural Biotechnology in Sub-Saharan Africa (J.E.O. Rege and Keith Sones)
ed.rege@emerge-africa.org

Based on lessons to date, what will it take for Africa to achieve a trajectory of sustained transformative change through use of technologies?

* Mobilizing increased public and private sector investments - incl. IP issues (ref to enabling environment)

* Institutional arrangements for research (e.g. shared facilities across sectors and countries?)

* South-South and South-North collaborations

* Incubation models

* Cross-border movement of technologies (e.g. quality seed and breeding stock)

* Outsource or not? E.g. sequencing/genotyping in China? North America?? Pros and Cons!