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Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa (OFAB ), Kenya Chapter Presentation by t he Programming Committee

Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa (OFAB ), Kenya Chapter Presentation by t he Programming Committee. 2013. OFAB Africa. Established in 2006 A platform that provides agricultural biotechnology stakeholders with an opportunity to: network share knowledge & experiences

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Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa (OFAB ), Kenya Chapter Presentation by t he Programming Committee

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  1. Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa (OFAB), Kenya Chapter Presentation by the Programming Committee 2013

  2. OFAB Africa • Established in 2006 • A platform that provides agricultural biotechnology stakeholders with an opportunity to: • network • share knowledge & experiences • explore new avenues for collaboration in bringing the benefits of biotechnology to all across Africa • Brings together key stakeholders: scientists, journalists, farmers, civil society, private sector, policy makers, faith-based groups etc.

  3. Diversity of stakeholders Parliamentarians Hon. Eng. James Rege, Member of Parliament, Karachuonyo Constituency Left: Hon. Prof.AyiechoOlweny, Assistant Minister for Education Left: Prof. Norah Olembo, Executive Director, ABSF Right: Hon. Martha Karua, MP, Gichugu Constituency and Narc- Kenya presidential aspirant

  4. Academia: Mrs. Mary Mwangi, Lecturer, Dept. of Biochem. &Btech, KU Students Farmers: Hugo Wood, Farmer and CEO, Olerai Ltd Media: Mr. Fred ObachiMachoka, Media personality & CEO FM-35 Promotions

  5. MoA: Mrs. Jane Otadoh leading other ministry officials (right) Development partners: Mr. CletMasiga, ASARECA Scientists: Dr. Douglas Miano, KARI

  6. Currently in seven countries:Burkina Faso, Egypt Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda • Aim- To enhance knowledge-sharing and awareness on agricultural biotechnology that will: • raise understanding and appreciation of the technology • contribute to building an enabling environment for decision making

  7. OFAB KENYA

  8. Establishment and Growth • Established in 2006 • Pioneer Chapter of OFAB Africa • Hosted by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), AfriCenter, under a collaborative agreement with the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF)

  9. OFAB-Kenya Partners

  10. Vision and Mission Vision • An Africa in which agricultural biotechnology makes a significant contribution to enhanced food security and wealth creation. Mission • To build an effective, trustworthy and responsive platform for society to make informed decisions on safety and appropriateness of the application of agricultural biotechnology.

  11. Objectives • To establish and manage a range of platforms that will raise the profile of biotechnology usage in agriculture • To contribute to informed policy decision making processes on matters of agricultural biotechnology • To forge strategic alliances for creating synergy and optimization of resources • To enhance targeted capacity strengthening that will improve biotech communication

  12. Management • Managed through a Programming Committee (PC) made up of volunteer scientists and other professionals. • The PC’s tasks include: selection of topics for each event, identification and invitation of guest speakers, expansion of participation and cascading OFAB to counties • The PC is assisted by a secretariat based at ISAAA AfriCenter

  13. Working Groups • To assist in efficient running of activities of an expanded OFAB • Three Working Groups • Capacity strengthening and documentation • County expansion and special events • Publicity

  14. The OFAB Model • Monthly meetings – strictly 2 hours* • Last Thursday of every month • Guest speaker presentations (30 minutes) • Facilitated panel discussions • Policy advocacy and sensitization • County events • Special sessions • Online discussions: www.ofabafrica.org OFABKenya @OFABKenya

  15. Benefits • Opportunity for networking and forming linkages • Access to current information and relevant resource-materials • Better understanding of agricultural biotechnology and related issues • Opportunity to share views and information on agricultural biotechnology • Opportunity to raise individual and institutional profiles

  16. Impact • Recognition by policy makers as a credible source of information • Bridging the gap between scientists and journalists • Improved objectivity in coverage of agri-biotech news by media • Increased dialogue on key policies such as the biosafety labeling regulations

  17. Biotechnology Communications Global Status of Commercialized Biotech Crops Select Topics Biosafety Kenya Standards on Biotechnology Prospects of Biotech crops Implications of the Labelling Regulations Status of Agri-biotech – Kenya, International Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease National Biosafety Authority- role

  18. Some of the speakers for the 2012 sessions Mrs. Margaret Aleke, Manager, Food and Agriculture Standards, KEBS Mrs. PalomaFernandes, CEO, CMA Dr. Anne Wangai, Senior Principal Scientist, KARI Dr. Willy Tonui, CEO, NBA

  19. OFAB Kenya in the media OFAB inFacebook

  20. July 2, 2012: Africa Science Technology and Innovation News (AFRICASTI)

  21. Challenges • Mixed perceptions of OFAB • Use of technical language and terminologies by some presenters • Skewed representation of stakeholders • Gender inequity- Few women speakers and participants • Low participation by end users, especially farmers

  22. Lessons Learnt • Consistency – KEY! • Relevance – ADDRESSING PRIORITY ISSUES • Participatory - WIDEN STAKEHOLDER BASE • Choice of Programming Committee – CRUCIAL!

  23. Thank you

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