October 2014: The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and African Development Bank (AfDB) have released a report detailing the current status of biotechnology in Africa, with particular focus on genetically modified (GM) crops. The report, titled ‘GM Agricultural Technologies for Africa: A State of Affairs,’ considers the potential pros and cons of expanding Africa’s currently limited use of GM crops and outlines the barriers to their adoption.

In explaining the slow spread of biotechnology in Africa to date, the authors point to the limited legal, technical, financial and regulatory capacities in the region. They also explain trade-related barriers, such as perceived export risk and regulatory complexities, but suggest that such risk should be evaluated on a country-by-country basis and that regional harmonization of regulations could facilitate trade.

The report notes the need to modernize the African agricultural sector, suggesting that advanced technologies and systemic improvements could bring African agriculture in line with more advanced agricultural systems by boosting productivity and increasing yields. The authors argue that biotechnology is an important tool for modernizing African agriculture, though it should be used with special consideration for the unique aspects of the African agricultural sector.

The report concludes with a number of recommendations for properly expanding the use of biotechnology in Africa, should policy makers decide to do so. For instance, regulatory capacity building, data collection, socioeconomic impact analyses, and an outreach and communication plan are among the suggestions for ensuring the introduction of more GM crops has the desired effect.

IFPRI is a part of the CGIAR consortium. [IFPRI Publication Webpage] [Publication: GM Agricultural Technologies for Africa: A State of Affairs]