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Challenges and impacts of
agricultural biotechnology on developing societies
Nicholas Ozor
Department
of Agricultural Extension, University of Nigeria, Nsukka,
Nigeria, E-mail:
sunny_ozor@yahoo.com.
Accepted
2 January, 2008 |
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The most critical areas in the world for bringing economic
prosperity and stability are the developing countries.
Agricultural productivity in these countries must advance
more rapidly to meet growing food demands and raise incomes
while protecting the environment for future generations.
Agricultural biotechnology has the potential to play a large
role toward this achievement. Sadly, this opportunity
remains a mirage for most developing societies because of
numerous challenges that prevent them from benefiting from
the technology. This review identified these challenges to
include lack of effective leadership, poor funding of
agricultural biotechnology research and development, lack of
research focus and infrastructure, and inadequate human
resources and expertise. It further appraised the benefits
and risks of agricultural biotechnology to developing
societies. Among the potential benefits of the technology
are: an increase in the productivity of tropical commodities
to meet future food needs, new opportunities for the use of
marginal lands, and a reduction in the use of agrochemicals.
However, associated with the technology are diverse
questions of safety, ethics, and welfare. The review
concluded with recommendations on the appropriate use and
application of agricultural biotechnology in developing
societies. They include adequate regulatory measures, public
debate, human resource development and training,
public-private sector collaboration, intellectual property
management, and support from international development
organizations.
Key
words:
Agricultural biotechnology, challenges, impacts, developing
societies. |
