Kampala, Uganda
December, 2007
Source:
The African Agricultural
Technology Foundation (AATF)
A monthly forum to facilitate the
flow of information between the scientific community, policy
makers and the general public has been launched in Kampala,
Uganda. The Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB),
Uganda Chapter, was launched on December 14 at a Kampala hotel.
Speaking while formally inaugurating the Forum, Hon Eng Hillary
Onek, the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries
said that biotechnology is providing practical answers to some
of the greatest challenges mankind faces at the dawn of a new
millennium, such as hunger and malnutrition. He observed that
biotechnology is an accessible and exciting new development that
is already improving the way people live.
Hon Eng Onek called upon Uganda to embrace and apply modern
science and technology in farming, saying that countries that
have embraced modern agricultural technologies, have improved
economic performance, reduced poverty and ensured greater food
security for their people.
In Uganda, the enactment of the National Agricultural Research
Act has paved way for all players both public and private to
exploit their potential for Agricultural Research. The Ugandan
Government has also put in place the Plan for Modernisation of
Agriculture (PMA) and the National Agricultural Advisory
Services (NAADS), all in line with the government’s programme of
eradicating Poverty and improving livelihoods.
Speaking during the launch, Hon Dr Kibirige Sebunya, Minister of
State, Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries underscored
the need for a Ministry of Science and Technology saying that
OFAB’s host, the Uganda National Council for Science and
Technology (UNCST), cannot operate optimally under the Ministry
of Finance and Planning.
The guest speaker, Mr Mark Cantley, Former Science Adviser for
the European Commission, urged African nations to define their
own needs and priorities rather than following an agenda
dictated by other parties. Mr Cantley observed that a
coordinated national strategy is desirable for advancing a
country’s interests in the use of modern biotechnology, a state
hampered by a lack of political will.
Giving his remarks, Dr Mpoko Bokanga, the Executive Director,
African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) challenged
Africans to shun the unfounded fears of genetically modified
foods. He said that decisions regarding the adoption of new
technologies must be guided by informed choices based upon
knowledge of local priorities,
opportunities offered by such technologies, expected benefits
and ability to manage risks. In reference to OFAB, Dr Bokanga
reiterated AATF’s desire of providing a platform where a
critical mass of knowledge can be accessed by policy and law
makers, by journalists and the general public.
Dr Charles Mugoya, Program Manager, Agrobiodiversity and
Biotechnology, Association for Strengthening Agricultural
Research in East and Central Africa (ASARECA) decried the
lengthy policy formulation processes saying this was the
greatest impediment to the use of biotechnology in Africa.
Dr Dennis Kyetere, the Director General National Agricultural
Research Organisation (NARO), moderated the Forum that brought
together parliamentarians, scientists, journalists, the civil
society, and policy makers.
OFAB is an initiative of the African Agricultural Technology
Foundation (AATF), in collaboration with the Uganda National
Council for Science and Technology (UNCST) and the Program for
Biosafety Systems (PBS) in partnership with the National
Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) and the Association
for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central
Africa (ASARECA).
The initiative is a response to the need for better
understanding of a range of products, benefits and concerns
associated with biotechnology. The Forum provides an opportunity
for exchange of information and encourages factual discussions
on the issue of agricultural biotechnology.
A similar forum was inaugurated in Nairobi, Kenya in September
2006. |
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