Putting Biotechnology into Practice in International Development Josette Lewis, Ph.D. USAID

Key Challenges Lack of public funding for biotech research Need to build system from the laboratory to the farmer’s field Lack of experience in the public sector Complex sociopolitical environment

R&D Infrastructure BiosafetyTechnology Varietal Release FarmersMarket Scientific Training $ Laboratory Facilities IPR Technology Transfer Food & Env. Safety Regulatory Framework PVP/IPR Policy Extension Seed Industry Economic Growth Food Security Improved Nutrition Public Outreach Agri-industry Outreach BIOTECHNOLOGY

Technology Development Asia egg plant*potatoesgroundnutrice tomatoespapayachickpea* Africa cowpeabanana animal vaccines* cassavasweet potato* potato* US universities, AATF, national and African regional organizations

Lessons Learned Research versus Product Development –tackle big problems - set scope too widely? –global research not likely to be picked up locally to develop products –define specific market (variety, value of trait to farmer, how to deliver) –need to manage & invest in linkages throughout process

Lessons Learned Little experience in public sector –209 events: 44 in confined field trails 22 in large scale field trails (China) only 7 countries have  5 trials –low # of events: 54 in Africa in 20 crops 111 in Asia in 30 crops 30 in Latin America in 12 crops –public crops commercialized: papaya in US and several in China

Key Challenges Lack of public funding for biotech research Need to build system from the laboratory to the farmer’s field Lack of experience in the public sector Sociopolitical context

Challenge: Sociopolitical Context “I’d rather die than eat something toxic.” “Genetic modification is just a weapon to bring Indian agriculture under the domination of American corporations.” “It was my job to ensure we weren’t accused of over hastiness [in GM approvals].”

Not all Bad News: Successes Bt cotton shows that small farmers will benefit from biotechnology Field trials in developing countries Regulatory challenge: educating public researchers with assistance from industry Science continues to expand the opportunities