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The DrumBeat continues to explore exciting bioscience stories and trends from around Africa. Our top story this month features the importance of partnerships in harmonizing biosafety regulations in Africa. We detail how the COMESA Biotechnology and Biosafety Policy seeks to increase investment in biotechnology applications and agricultural commodity trade in the region. To accelerate its actualization, the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA) and International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) AfriCenter are jointly seeking to improve adoption of agricultural biotechnology and biosafety practices through communications, outreach and capacity building of key stakeholders including farmers, researchers, regulators, policy makers, consumers and member states.
In the Video of the Month, meet Deborah Telahun, an Ethiopian scientist working on a traditional medicine project that aims at developing the first ever locally made drug for curing coccidiosis, a poultry disease affecting millions of chickens worldwide. The disease costs the poultry industry up to $3 billion in losses annually. The project will provide a better alternative, with farmers accessing the drug at cheaper prices and the country saving millions of dollars from importation of the drug.
The DrumBeat has also introduced a new section outlining various training courses offered by ISAAA AfriCenter. These courses are available to individuals, organizations and special groups upon request. Explore detailed coverage of these and more stories on Africa's bioscience development through this latest issue.
Happy reading!
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