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&DInfrastructure

BiosafetyTechnology VarietalRelease

FarmersMarket

ScientificTraining

$

LaboratoryFacilities

IPR

Technology Transfer

Food & Env.Safety

Regulatory Framework

PVP/IPR Policy

Extension

Seed Industry

Economic GrowthFood SecurityImproved Nutrition

Public Outreach

Agri-industry Outreach

BIOTECHNOLOGY

Technology Development

• Asiaegg plant* potatoes groundnut ricetomatoes papaya chickpea*

• Africacowpea banana animal vaccines*cassava sweet 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