Annex 1 List of Participants - OFAB

A: Dr. Higgins said that it would take 5-8 years in testing the different ecological
zones in Africa for the demonstration to reach farmers.
Q: Dr. Dorrington Ogoyi, Senior Lecturer, Department of Biochemistry, University
of Nairobi, wondered why the main cowpea pest in Africa Maruca Vitrata was not
initially the target in the development of Bt cowpea. He also wanted to know if the
Bt gene Cry 1AB being used was effective against Maruca.
A: Dr. Higgins said that the target Helicoverpa armigera was available in the lab and
that is why it was used instead of Maruca which is not in Australia. Dr. Bokanga
added that it is possible to do the tests in Africa and that discussions are on going.
However, lack of regulatory structures and hindering regulations has been the main
stumbling block.
Q: Ms. Rachael Shibalira from the Attorney General’s Chambers, sought to know
why public acceptance is a problem in Australia yet they had accepted Bt cotton.
A: Dr. Higgins explained that public acceptance is the biggest challenge of all. He
urged stakeholders in Africa not to underrate it. Canola was approved by regulators
but the public had mixed reactions where 50% still had concerns about GM food
crops. He underscored the importance of involving consumers and farmer
organizations in decision making about GM crops.
Q: Mr. Edward Kateiya of Kenya National Federation of Agricultural Producers
(KENFAP) was concerned about the farmers facing high cost of production, research
taking too long, risk of resistance management and low acceptability by the public.
He wondered why the researcher should use a lot of resources to do something that
could be rejected.
A: Dr. Higgins said that researchers should not take positions on the biotechnology
debate but work diligently to make the world a better place. He said scientists must
take risks to succeed in doing their work. Referring to the book titled “Feeding the 10
billion people” the presenter was categorical that there is need for R&D in order to
cope with the growing demand for food, feed and fibre.
Dr. Karembu also emphasized the importance of taking risks in research to improve
quality of seeds in order to boost food production.
Q: Dr. Santie de Villiers of ICRISAT, wanted to know if the observed resistance had
been confirmed in the green houses and field trials since all the testing had been
done in the lab.
A: Dr. Higgins said that tests had only been done in the green house and that no
field tests had been done. However, he was optimistic that they will do well in the
fields since there was plenty of information about biotechnology.
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