Dear reader,
The DrumBeat family applauds a decision by the Federal High Court in Nigeria to dismiss a suit filed by activists against the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) for approving commercialization of Bt cotton. According to African science advocates, the suit filed in 2017, was part of a ploy to slow down biotech progress and derail advancements across the region. The ruling is therefore a "win for biotechnology application and biosafety regulation," says Dr. Rufus Ebegba, NBMA's Director General. This win comes at the heels of a monumental decision by Ghana's National Biosafety Authority (NBA) to approve environmental release of Bt cowpea, showcasing the region's progress despite aggressive activism. Additionally, Africa's giant Nigeria has moved a step further to develop guidelines on genetically modified (GM) plants with stacked genes and guidelines for GM fish!
Indeed, the strong will and resilience of African scientists and advocates to deliver improved seeds, developed using modern biotechnology, in the hands of small holder farmers, is bearing fruit. In our story of the month, a Kenyan cotton farmer narrates his Bt cotton experience, three years after commercialization. In the same spirit, our newsroom showcases efforts by the Virus Resistant Cassava for Africa (VIRCA) Plus team in Kenya to create awareness and build a case for genetically modified cassava that is resistant to brown streak disease, as the country awaits a license to proceed to National Performance Trials (NPTs). ISAAA AfriCenter's media engagement efforts through OFAB Kenya are also captured in the newsroom section, as well as highlights from a regional animal biotechnology workshop conducted in collaboration with Acceligen and Agriculture & Food Systems Institute.
Our story of the month traverses to Malawi, where the DrumBeat team speaks to Dr. Lilian Chimphepo, Biosafety Registrar, in an exclusive interview on the country's recently approved genome editing guidelines and its impact towards introduction of genome editing research.
We wish to remind journalists to submit their stories for the 2022 OFAB Kenya media awards. The initiative seeks to promote excellence in agricultural biotechnology reporting and will celebrate three winning journalists in the three categories of Television, Radio, Print and Online. Find more details on how to apply in the newsroom and announcement section.
Enjoy your read!
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