1. Open Forum for Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) One Year On.. By OFAB Programming Committee (PC) Presented by Margaret Karembu (Chair, OFAB PC) September 27th 2007, Jacaranda Hotel, Nairobi

2. About OFAB A platform that provides an opportunity for biotechnology stakeholders to network, share knowledge and experiences, and, explore new avenues of bringing the benefits of biotechnology to the African farmer and investor

3. OFAB Management A collaborative initiative between African Agricultural Technology Foundation - AATF and International Service for the Acquisition of Agri- biotech Applications – ISAAA Africenter Activities are organized and managed by a programming committee comprising volunteer scientists and communication experts from international, regional and national organizations

4. OFAB PC Members 1.Dr Margaret Karembu ISAAA (Chairperson) 2.Dr Wilson Songa Ministry of Agriculture 3.Dr Fred Kanampiu CIMMYT 4.Dr Eucharia Kenya Kenyatta University 5.Dr Simon Gichuki KARI-Biotech 6.Dr Dan Kiambi ICRISAT 7.Mrs Nancy Muchiri AATF 8.Mr Daniel Otunge ISAAA (Secretary)

5. Topics Covered in Year One September 2006-August 2007 10 OFAB Sessions were held covering various topics presented by both local and international experts in biotech- related fields

6. OFAB 1 Official launch: Dr Noah Wekesa, Minister for Science and Technology Other Speakers Mr. Mark Cantley, UK Public Policy for Biotechnology: International lessons - European Experience Mr. Wellington Chadehumbe, RSA Truth, Freedom and Economic Growth

7. Dr Charles N Waturu Center Director, KARI-Thika The status of Confined Field Trials of Bt cotton in Kenya OFAB 2 OFAB 3 Mr. Lucas Sese - ABSF Intellectual Property Rights and Agriculture: Role and Implications on Biotechnology Research, Development and Innovation

8. OFAB 4 OFAB 5 Dr Kandeh Yumkella, UNIDO, DG The role of S&T in Africa’s development process Prof. T J Higgins, Australia Status of Bt Cowpea research and development

9. OFAB 6 Dr Edward Rege Director, Biotechnology Theme, ILRI Status of the Biosciences Eastern and Central Africa (BecA) OFAB 7 Prof Robert Paarlberg Professor of Political Science, Wellesley College Examining GMOs concerns

10. OFAB 8 OFAB 9 Mr Obongo Nyachae, CEO, STAK Secretary, Eastern Africa Seed Committee of ASARECA Harmonization of seed policies and regulations in Eastern Africa: Key Challenges and Results Prof Crispus Kiamba PS Min S&T and Dr Wilson Songa Agriculture Secretary Stakeholders Dialogue on Biosafety Bill 2007

11. Dr Francis Nang’ayo Regulatory Affairs Specialist, AATF The Status of Biosafety Regulations in Africa OFAB 10

12. Sample Sessions with participants

13. Analysis of participation Sept 2006- Sept 2007 Type. of participants OFAB Sessions 12345678910TOTAL Scientist/research41 302730 31303532 50 42348 Policy/gov’t.3 53- 2233 21 344 Media19 1073 5622 9 770 Regulators2 5103 4263 11 450 Farmers- -51 1-2- 30 241 Others7 583 65135 40 496 TOTAL72 556040 4945614516262 650

14. Ongoing/planned activities Ongoing activities 1.Monthly luncheons: Reports and proceedings are available to all participants 2. Official OFAB Website: www.ofabafrica.org has been under construction and is ready for unveiling todaywww.ofabafrica.org 3. Annual Report: Programming Committee working on it, to be ready by November 2007

15. Ongoing/planned activities cont. 4. Biotechnology Resource Book: An outline is ready and chapter writers will be commissioned soon – Coordinator, Dr Dan Kiambi 5. African Biotechnology Symposium: OFAB is planning to hold the first All African biotechnology symposium in Kenya in May 2009 - Coordinator Dr Fred Kanampiu

16. Ongoing/Planned activities 5. Launch of BioAWARE: OFAB to play an active role – Link persons - Dr Simon Gichuki and Margaret Karembu 6. Field Visits: OFAB plans to adopt different approaches including visit to labs, field trial sites, industrial sites 7. Developing a strategic plan: OFAB plans to produce a strategic plan by end of 2007 to guide future plans 8. Opinion Survey: Conducting a mini survey to understand and guide future growth. The survey targets participants and the general public through www.ofabafrica.org www.ofabafrica.org

17. Survey results Frequency of attendance

18. Usefulness for networking

19. Relevance of OFAB objectives

20. Quality of presentations

21. Comprehensiveness of answers to questions

22. Rating of OFAB time keeping

23. Appropriateness of venue

24. Suggested topics for future OFABs Status of GMOs in Kenya Awareness creation for small-holder farmers Status of Biosafety bill Biosafety frameworks Understanding of the CBD Biotech Business opportunities Cost/benefit analysis for adopting GMOs Chances of Africa benefiting from GMOs Capability of African countries to enforcing biosafety regulations

25. Suggestions for improving OFAB 1.Increase number of participants 2.Need more time for debate 3.Invite more international speakers 4.Increase media coverage 5.Start OFAB newsletter 6.Increasing number of non-scientists’ participation 7.Email presentations to participants 8.Consider evening sessions as well

26. Benefits from OFAB Got beneficial and relevant information Raised my level of awareness Made new contacts and business links Enlightened on GM debate and the issues surrounding it Closing gap between scientists and journalists

27. Your Verdict… YES OFAB! Proposals and Suggestions?

28. Thank you!