Misinformation and poor public perceptions about modern biotechnology could derail Africa's bid to tap into the potential of genome editing to increase agricultural productivity in the face of climate change. This emerged during a biotechnology workshop for Zambian biotech scientists and regulators co-organized by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the University of California-Davis, AUDA-NEPAD, and ISAAA AfriCenter. The workshop was held in Lusaka from May 13-15, 2024.

The International Livestock Research Institute has launched the second phase of its Enabling a resilient and prosperous community through participatory agroecological practices in the semi-arid region of central Tanzania project (ResComm II). Aiming to improve food and nutritional security using community-based agroecological approaches, the project is being integrated into Tanzania government initiatives.

Often, we respond to the first question intuitively. We might convene with others to further develop and refine the response. We might make our response transparent by documenting it in a Theory of Change. But often we miss out on responding thoroughly and clearly to the second and third question. To do so, we would need to consider the wide range of factors that influence actors’ agency and behaviors and whether these influences differ for the different actors across the agri-food system.

Chinese scientists used gene editing to produce a soybean variety with increased yield and protein content. Their research may increase domestic soybean production and help with global food security. Soybeans capture nitrogen from the air for growth and protein production. However, soybean supernodulation mutants display stunting and have reduced yields due to overconsumption of carbon.

A study published in Plant, Cell & Environment shows improved drought resistance and fruit yield of tomatoes through endoreduplication. This study opens opportunities to develop drought-resistant tomatoes that can withstand agricultural challenges brought about by climate change. Drought resistance is crucial for maintaining tomato yield and quality under drought conditions. Drought-resistant tomatoes are less likely to suffer from issues such as fruit cracking,

Two scientists, Dr. Geoffrey Hawtin OBE, Founding Director and Executive Board member at the Global Crop Diversity Trust, and Dr. Cary Fowler, currently the U.S. Special Envoy for Global Food Security, have been named the 2024 World Food Prize Laureates. They were chosen by the World Food Prize Laureate Selection Committee for their longstanding contribution to seed conservation and crop biodiversity. The two men played key roles in establishing the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, which today holds 1.25 million seed samples of more than 6,000 plant species in an underground facility in the Arctic Circle.

Research published in Food and Chemical Toxicology shows that feeding rat and broiler chickens with grains derived from genetically modified (GM) crops shows no adverse effects on their health and performance. The results of this study support the current literature suggesting the safe use of GM crops in feeding animals.The 90-day rat feeding study was conducted in accordance with the test guidelines of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

ASCA7 targets to equip Asian scientists, regulators, and other stakeholders with the knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of agri-biotech. The program focuses on three key areas: agri-biotech applications, policy environment, and biotech communication. This comprehensive approach empowers participants to contribute towards implementation of science-based regulations that support the commercialization and trade of agri-biotech products.

The policy forum informed Philippine policymakers on how biotech products are developed for commercialization in an adopting country and the Philippines. It also aimed to discuss strategies on how biotech products developed in the Philippines could be commercialized systematically and efficiently. The event was attended by about 100 participants composed of Congressmen and their staff, via Zoom, boosting the awareness of the policymakers on the regulatory path of the technologies.

In Ghana, pests and diseases cause food and agriculture-related losses valued at USD 1 billion annually, impacting the economy and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Climate change makes the challenge harder to address as warmer temperatures attract more invasive species. So, 11 public and private sector organizations collaboratively developed an Early Warning and Rapid Response System for Pests and Diseases to protect the country’s food system.