Agricultural biotechnology and the transformation of West African agriculture: Challenges and regional perspectives

This report summarizes consultations held with West African governmental and non-governmental actors regarding the role of agriculture in medium- and long-term development in West Africa and the impact of agricultural innovation on societal development. Objectives of the consultations included debate of the issues regarding agricultural biotechnology; the need to preserve biodiversity and protect the species and germplasm of local crop varieties; the socio-economic impact of biotechnology on economically vulnerable producers; fear of producers' long-term dependency for seed on international companies; and safety measures that would need to be followed in utilizing agricultural biotechnology.