Publisher : Cambridge University Press
Place of publication : United Kimgdom
Publication year : 2008
Thematic : Biodiversity Information Management
Language : English
Note
Crop bioengineering provides unique and dramatic opportunities for international agricultural
development. However, we consider the technology not as a ‘silver bullet’ or panacea for crop improvement
in the developing world but as an increasingly important tool that can be used to complement conventional
methods of crop improvement. The number of bioengineered crops ready for commercial release in
developing countries is expected to expand considerably in the next few years. But the multi-national life
sciences companies that are leading the research, development and commercialization of bioengineered
crops focus primarily on major crops that have high commercial value and extensive international markets.
These companies also hold proprietary gene technology for many other crops of extreme importance to
subsistence and resource-poor farmers but do not pursue product development and commercialization
because of low anticipated returns. Such crops have traditionally been overlooked and are sometimes
referred to as ‘orphan crops’ because of the relative lack of research and development applied to them.We
propose a strategy for the development and delivery of bioengineered crops, including orphan crops, for
developing countries. Consulting local public and private sector stakeholders to determine their highest
priority needs for agricultural products is the first step. This ensures local stakeholder buy-in and that we do
not invest in technology that is unlikely to be adopted. Next, the feasibility of developing and delivering the
product is assessed. If the result is positive, the work is organized into ‘product commercialization packages’
(PCPs) that integrate all elements of the research, development and commercialization processes.
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Keywords : Produced water
Encoded by : Pauline Carmel Joy Eje
