The primary focus is on addressing biotechnology and biosafety issues in developing countries, particularly in Africa. Issues range from national and regional strategy development and capacity building to the specifics of product-focused research, development and delivery. Some assignments reach well beyond biotechnology and address broad aspects of international agricultural development. I have conceptualized and am currently implementing a strategic approach to research and development on genetically-modified crops that comprises :(i) Highly-participatory local priority setting to ensure that activities focus on regional or country needs and demands; (ii) a product-driven focus that boosts agricultural productivity and sustainability while catalyzing "hands on' biotechnology capacity building; (iii) organization of research and development for each priority product into coordinated sets of activities that integrate necessary elements of technology development, policy (including intellectual property, biosafety and trade issues), outreach, public awareness, marketing and distribution.

Bioengineered or GM crops provide unique and dramatic opportunities for international agricultural development. However, I consider bioengineered crops not as a "silver bullet' or panacea for crop improvement in the developing world but as an increasingly important tool that can be used to complement conventional and organic agricultural approaches as well as non-bioengineering-based biotechnologies. Indeed, because of the complex issues (some of which are non-technical) and controversy associated with bioengineered crops, I believe that the technology should be endorsed only when alternative approaches appear unproductive or are unavailable. The number of bioengineered crops ready for commercial release in developing countries is expected to expand considerably in the next few years. But the multi-national life sciences companies that are leading the research, development and commercialization of bioengineered crops focus primarily on crops that have high commercial value and extensive international markets. Many so called "orphan' crops of extreme importance to subsistence and resource-poor farmers have been overlooked. I and my colleagues have adopted a strategy for research, development and delivery of bioengineered orphan crops for the developing world.

Many countries in Eastern and Central Africa (ECA) suffer from food shortages and are among the poorest countries in the world. There is an urgent need to reverse their declining food per capita availability. Biotechnological tools can be used to selectively complement conventional and organic approaches to agricultural research and development. These tools have the potential to safely and effectively raise productivity and also to improve quality, increase income through lower production costs, reduce chemical use, facilitate use of marginal lands, improve soil conditions, lead to new products, boost competitiveness, increase added value, and help to maintain biodiversity. For these reasons, ASARECA Biotechnology and Biosafety Program (ECABIO) was established to complement ASARECA sub-regional and country efforts to develop and commercialize agricultural biotechnology products. In the context of intensive consultation with the 10 member countries of ASARECA/ECABIO and with the ASARECA/ECABIO leadership, I have drafted a Strategic Plan (2006-2010) for ECABIO that will be adopted by late February, 2007. The Plan is designed to help guide ECABIO to realize its vision that "agricultural biotechnology shall be a well established and accessible tool for sustainable economic growth and improved social welfare in ECA'.

I have helped to reach consensus among 10 Eastern and Central African countries on how best to pursue agricultural biotechnology in their subregion. Impact at the field level is pending.

US Agency for International Development(USAID)