Easter and Central Africa Biotechnology Information Centre (ECABIC)

In developing countries, poor access to timely, accurate and relevant information on biotechnology, particularly genetically modifi ed crops, is a major hindrance to its acceptance, adoption and use.

In response to this gap, the ISAAA AfriCenter in collaboration with African Biotechnology Stakeholders Forum (ABSF) established a comprehensive communication program called Kenya Biotechnology Information Centre (KBIC) in July 2001. This was later transformed into the Eastern and Central Africa Biotechnology Information Centre (ECABIC) to refl ect its regional mandate. It is part of the network of over 20 BICs, spread all over the world, and supported by ISAAA’s Global Knowledge Centre on crop biotechnology based in Manila, The Philippines. The Knowledge Centre, popularly known as KC, is a science-based information network with a global mandate to promote public understanding of agricultural biotechnology.

Our goal is to create an effective biotechnology information network responding effi ciently and dynamically to the needs of stakeholders, such as the media; policy makers; consumers; researchers; farmers and extension workers. ECABIC’s coloured is to be the preferred source of accurate and balanced information on crop biotechnology, biosafety and intellectual property rights in Eastern and Central Africa.

MISSION

Our mission is to provide quality and authoritative biotechnology information through cutting-edge communication strategies to our key stakeholders in Eastern and Central Africa.

OBJECTIVES

ECABIC has the following key objectives:

  • to enhance public awareness and understanding of biotechnology through outreach
  • to simplify and package information on crop biotechnology for distribution to various stakeholders in suitable formats
  • to increase access to accurate, timely and authoritative information on biotechnology through cutting-edge communications strategies, and
  • to demystify the technology by facilitating a two-way information exchange on all issues of concern.