The global agri-biotech market sustains growth reaching US$27.8 billion by the end of 2014, according to the report released by BCC Research, a market research company based in the U.S. The global market for agri-biotech was US$26.4 in 2013. With the projected compound annual rate of 11 percent over the next five years, it is expected that the global market for agri-biotech might reach US$46.8 billion by 2019.

Kansas State University scientists Dr. Harold Trick and Allan Fritz are developing biotech wheat that has the ability to tolerate warmer temperatures during the critical grain filling stage. During this stage, extreme temperatures can cause shrivelled kernels and significant yield losses.

The Indonesian Biotechnology Information Center (IndoBIC) held a seminar on Stewardship of Late Blight Resistant Potato for farmers, agricultural officers, and scientists on December 18, 2014 at SEAMEO BIOTROP headquarters. Some 32 participants and speakers comprised of agricultural officials, farmers, and representatives from research institutions attended this event through the support of the Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project (ABSP II) in collaboration with IndoBIC and ICABIOGRAD, ISAAA, and SEAMEO BIOTROP

The Forum of Former Vice Chancellors of Karnataka State Universities (FVCK) and the Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises Agricultural Group (ABLE-AG) released a new book titled GM Crops: Perception versus Reality written by Dr. T. M. Manjunath and Dr. K. S. Mohan. The authors have more than 40 years of research experience in plant protection and biotechnology.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) cleared the regulatory status of planting genetically modified tall fescue developed by Scotts Miracle-Gro. The glyphosate resistant turfgrass variety has genes from other plants which were incorporated into the plant cell using a gene gun.

Kenya plans to introduce an improved variety of sorghum in 2016. According to David Karanja Principal Investigator for Sorghum at Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), the proposed variety will be drought resistant and will yield 20 percent more than the current 1,800 kilograms per acre. Mr Karanja said that trials are being carried out under the Agricultural Productivity Research project and will be concluded by February 2015.

More than 20,000 Monsanto employees focus on delivering innovative and sustainable products to farmers around the world that help to improve yields while using fewer inputs. These products get their start in our research and development pipeline, where our researchers look to bring the best seeds to farmers’ fields.

The scarlet (S. aethiopicum L.) and Gboma (S. macrocarpon L.) eggplants are two cultivated eggplants, which are popular traditional vegetables in tropical Africa. Both species are grown for their leaves and fruits. The fruits are consumed fresh as well as boiled, steamed, pickled, or in stews with other vegetables or meats, while young leaves are often used in soups and with other vegetables.

Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University signed a memorandum of understanding with the Nanotech Egypt Company on December 20, 2014. In attendance were Dr. Gaber Nassar, President of Cairo University, Dr. Hani Shimi, Dean of the Faculty and Dr. Ahmed Bahgat Honor of Nanotech Egypt.

Engaging with rural women farmers for technology dissemination and value chain development was the focus of the United Nations’ regional “Sharefair for Rural Women’s Technologies” held in Nairobi, Kenya. ICRISAT was represented by Dr Esther Njuguna-Mungai, Scientist – Gender Research, CGIAR Research Program on Grain Legumes, and two women innovators of the ‘Harnessing Opportunities for Productivity Enhancement’ (HOPE) Project.