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Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa (OFAB ), Kenya Chapter

Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa (OFAB ), Kenya Chapter Presentation at Enumerators Training: KAP Baseline Survey ISAAA Afri Centre . 12 th October 2012 . OFAB Africa. Established in 2006

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Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa (OFAB ), Kenya Chapter

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  1. Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa (OFAB), Kenya Chapter Presentation at Enumerators Training: KAP Baseline Survey ISAAA AfriCentre. 12th October 2012

  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 six countries: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 CHAPTER

  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. Goal and Vision • Goal: Offer a platform that provides opportunity for biotech stakeholders to network, share knowledge and seek avenues to bring biotech benefits to end-users • Vision: Africa in which agricultural biotechnology makes a significant contribution to enhanced food security and wealth creation

  11. Mission and Mandate • Mission: To build effective, trustworthy and responsive platforms for society to make informed decisions on the applications of agricultural biotechnology • Mandate: To advocate for the responsible and safe use of agricultural biotechnology in Kenya

  12. Core Values 5 core values (guiding principles): • Transparency • Objectivity • Professionalism • Inclusiveness • Integrity

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. PC Members

  16. Approach and Methodology • 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 http://www.facebook.com/OFABKenya @OFAB Kenya

  17. 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

  18. Impact • Recognition by policy makers- e.g. KEBS chose OFAB as a platform to seek public views on the Kenya Biotechnology Standards ( May 2012 session) • 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

  19. 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

  20. 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

  21. OFAB Kenya in the media OFAB inFacebook

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

  23. 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

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

  25. Opportunity to serve: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

  26. OFAB Kenya Chapter Baseline Survey

  27. Objectives of the survey • To establish a baseline status which will be the basis to monitor outcomes/impact of the interventions of the forum • Support development of M&E framework with indicators that will be the basis for tracking progress during the implementation of the Strategic Plan. …

  28. Survey instruments • Survey tools developed include: • Questionnaire for a Study to Determine the Prevailing Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) of Agricultural Biotechnology among Professional (Scientists, Journalists etc), Private Sector and Students • Questionnaire for Farmers • Checklist for Policy makers

  29. Timelines • Data collection from 15th-26 Oct 2012 • Questionnaires and other information (data) submitted to Mr. Kwame Ogero latest by Friday 27th Oct. 2012 • Data analysis and draft report expected by 19thNov 2012. • Final report by 30th Nov 2012 and presented to OFAB PC

  30. Thank you

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