Open Forum for Agricultural Open Forum for Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB)Biotechnology (OFAB)
One Year On..One Year On..ByBy
OFAB Programming Committee (PC)OFAB Programming Committee (PC)Presented by Margaret Karembu Presented by Margaret Karembu
(Chair, OFAB PC)(Chair, OFAB PC)
September 27th 2007, Jacaranda Hotel, NairobiSeptember 27th 2007, Jacaranda Hotel, Nairobi
About OFABAbout 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
OFAB ManagementOFAB 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
OFAB PC MembersOFAB PC Members
1. Dr Margaret Karembu ISAAA (Chairperson)2. Dr Wilson Songa Ministry of Agriculture3. Dr Fred Kanampiu CIMMYT4. Dr Eucharia Kenya Kenyatta University5. Dr Simon Gichuki KARI-Biotech6. Dr Dan Kiambi ICRISAT7. Mrs Nancy Muchiri AATF8. Mr Daniel Otunge ISAAA (Secretary)
Topics Covered in Year OneTopics Covered in Year OneSeptember 2006-August 2007September 2006-August 2007
10 OFAB Sessions were held covering various topics presented by both local and international experts in biotech-
related fields
OFAB 1OFAB 1Official launch:
Dr Noah Wekesa, Minister for Science and Technology
Other Speakers
Mr. Mark Cantley, UKPublic Policy for Biotechnology: International lessons - European
Experience
Mr. Wellington Chadehumbe, RSA Truth, Freedom and Economic Growth
Dr Charles N WaturuDr Charles N WaturuCenter Director, KARI-Thika Center Director, KARI-Thika The status of Confined Field Trials The status of Confined Field Trials of Bt cotton in Kenyaof Bt cotton in Kenya
OFAB 2OFAB 2 OFAB 3OFAB 3
Mr. Lucas Sese - ABSFMr. Lucas Sese - ABSFIntellectual Property Rights and Agriculture: Role and Implications on Biotechnology Research, Development and Innovation
OFAB 4OFAB 4 OFAB 5OFAB 5
Dr Kandeh Yumkella, UNIDO, DGThe role of S&T in Africa’s development process
Prof. T J Higgins, AustraliaStatus of Bt Cowpea research and development
OFAB 6OFAB 6
Dr Edward RegeDirector, Biotechnology Theme, ILRI Status of the Biosciences Eastern and Central Africa (BecA)
OFAB 7OFAB 7
Prof Robert Paarlberg Professor of Political Science, Wellesley CollegeExamining GMOs concerns
OFAB 8OFAB 8 OFAB 9OFAB 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 SecretaryStakeholders Dialogue on Biosafety Bill 2007
Dr Francis Nang’ayo Regulatory Affairs Specialist, AATF
The Status of Biosafety Regulations in Africa
OFAB 10OFAB 10
Sample Sessions with participantsSample Sessions with participants
Analysis of participation Sept 2006- Sept 2007
Type. of participants
OFAB Sessions1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 TOTAL
Scientist/research 41 30 27 30 31 30 35 32 50 42 348
Policy/gov’t. 3 5 3 - 2 2 3 3 21 3 44
Media 19 10 7 3 5 6 2 2 9 7 70
Regulators 2 5 10 3 4 2 6 3 11 4 50
Farmers - - 5 1 1 - 2 - 30 2 41
Others 7 5 8 3 6 5 13 5 40 4 96
TOTAL 72 55 60 40 49 45 61 45 162 62 650
Ongoing/planned activitiesOngoing/planned activitiesOngoing 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 today
3. Annual Report: Programming Committee working on it, to be ready by November 2007
Ongoing/planned activities cont. 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
Ongoing/Planned activitiesOngoing/Planned activities5. 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
Survey resultsFrequency of attendance
7.14
57.14
21.42
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Percentage
Always Regular Sometimes
Frequency
Frequency of Attendance
Series1
Usefulness for networking
21.42
78.57
00
20
40
60
80
Percentage
Very useful Useful Sometimes
Level of usefulness
Usefulness of OFAB to networking
Series1
Relevance of OFAB objectives
35.71
64.28
00
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Percentage
Very relevant Relevant Not relevant
Degree of relevance
Relevance of OFAB objectives
Series1
Quality of presentations
Rating of Quality of Presentations
00
28.57
71.42
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Very good
Good
Average
Poor
Perc
enta
ge
Level of rating
Series1
Comprehensiveness of answers to questions
Comprehensiveness of Answers to Questions
0
42.85
57.14
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Verycomprehensive
Comprehensive
Notcomprehensive
Perc
enta
ge
Level of comprehensiveness
Series1
Rating of OFAB time keepingRating of OFAB Time Keeping
0
28.57
64.28
7.14
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Very good
Good
Average
Poor
Perc
enta
ge
Level of Rating
Series1
Appropriateness of venue
Appropriateness of the Venue
00
100
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Very Appropriate
Appropriate
Not Appropriate
Perc
enta
ge
Rating of the Venue
Series1
Suggested topics for future OFABsSuggested 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
Suggestions for improving OFABSuggestions for improving OFAB
1. Increase number of participants2. Need more time for debate3. Invite more international speakers4. Increase media coverage5. Start OFAB newsletter6. Increasing number of non-scientists’ participation7. Email presentations to participants8. Consider evening sessions as well
Benefits from OFABBenefits 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
Your Verdict…Your Verdict…
YES OFAB!YES OFAB!
Proposals and Suggestions?Proposals and Suggestions?
Thank you!Thank you!
