Agricultural Biotechnology the Panacea for Food Security in Sub-Saharan Africa

Ojuederie O. B. et al (2011). Libyan Agric. Res. Cen. J. Intl., 2 (3): 123-132.

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This paper is relevant to the Agronomic, Socio-Economic, Developing Country, and Overview Documents categories in the following areas:

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ImpactAreas:Agronomic, Socio-Economic, and Developing Countries

Abstract or Summary:

Africa is lagging behind in terms of agricultural development and food security in spite of her rich human and natural resources. Crop and animal improvement is still done using the traditional breeding methods. Emphasis need to be placed on the use of agricultural biotechnology in combination with the conventional breeding methods to give a boost to agricultural growth in sub Saharan Africa. This will relate to increased crop and animal yield, resistance to pests and diseases as well as abiotic stress tolerance in crops. Adequate funding by African governments as well as capacity building will be required to achieve this boost. The role of public- private partnership in this regard cannot be overemphasized. The use of plant tissue culture and micropropagation methods for the regeneration of transformed plants as well as the use of molecular breeding and marker assisted selection for better selection and genetic diversity studies have over the years given a boost to crop and animal improvement through agricultural biotechnology. The use of this modern technology should be encouraged for improvement in the livelihood of citizens and enhanced food security. Adequate biosafety laws to regulate agricultural biotechnology must also be in place so that technology will assist in the production of food that is safe and nutritious, while ensuring a continuous improvement in the efficiency of food production.

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