The DrumBeat: Africa Bioscience Trends

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29th October 2024

ISSUE NO.76

Welcome to issue 76 of The DrumBeat!

Dear reader,

In this month's edition of The DrumBeat, we focus on the power of learning—how cross-continental insights shape our approaches to the future of agriculture, biodiversity, and policy-making. Each story embodies the essence of collaborative learning and shared purpose, showing us the potential of international experiences to inspire and drive change in Africa and beyond.

Our featured video takes us to Argentina, where the Feed the Future Striga Smart Sorghum for Africa (SSSfA) project team embarked on an educational journey to explore genome editing innovation up close. This study visit brought together Ethiopian and Kenyan researchers, regulatory professionals, and entrepreneurs to engage with Argentina's regulatory authorities, seed associations, and pioneering genome editing startups, gaining valuable perspectives on genome-edited crops.

This month's story highlights the transformative experience of Ednah Wanjiru, a Program officer at ISAAA AfriCenter, who navigated global negotiations in Cali, Colombia. Bridging perspectives from around the world, this journey captures the unique challenges and opportunities that come with advocating for biodiversity and equity on a global scale.

We invite you to explore our newsroom and publication sections, where you will find vibrant updates and exciting opportunities to stay informed about our latest activities.

Happy reading!

VIDEO OF THE MONTH

Bio Entreprenuership in Africa: Lessons from Argentina

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Ednah Wanjiru
Program Officer
OFAB - Kenya Chapter

STORY OF THE MONTH

From Kenya to Cali-Columbia: A Young Changemaker's Journey at COP16

As I embarked on the 24-hour journey from Kenya to Cali, Colombia, for the UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP16), I felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. It was my first experience at such a massive global event, and I was worried I would get lost in the whirlwind of activity and importance surrounding the conference. Yet, as I entered the bustling Centro de Eventos Valle del Pacifico, those nerves quickly turned to awe — I realized I was part of a global movement pushing for change. It was a moment I won't soon forget. Read more

From Our Newsroom

Inside Kenya's Plan to Promote Access to High-Quality Seeds

The Africa Science Dialogue and the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa (OFAB-Kenya) organized a media science café in Nairobi on October 11, 2024. Attended by 20 media practitioners from 13 media houses in Kenya, the café sought to update journalists on the status Kenya's seed regulatory system and seed access. Read more

Kenya Veterinary Association 18th World Rabies Day Celebrations, A Milestone Event

The 18th World Rabies Day (WRD) celebrations, jointly organized by the Kenya Veterinary Association (KVA) and the Kenya Medical Association (KMA), took place Diani, Kwale County from September 26th to 28th, 2024. The event marked a significant step in Kenya's ongoing efforts to combat rabies, aligning with the global goal of eliminating human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030. Read more