Open Forum for Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) One Year On.. By OFAB Programming Committee (PC) Presented by Margaret Karembu (Chair, OFAB PC) September 27th 2007, Jacaranda Hotel, Nairobi

About OFAB A platform that provides an opportunity for biotechnology stakeholders to network, share knowledge and experiences, and, explore new avenues of bringing the benefits of biotechnology to the African farmer and investor

OFAB Management A collaborative initiative between African Agricultural Technology Foundation - AATF and International Service for the Acquisition of Agri- biotech Applications – ISAAA Africenter Activities are organized and managed by a programming committee comprising volunteer scientists and communication experts from international, regional and national organizations

OFAB PC Members 1.Dr Margaret Karembu ISAAA (Chairperson) 2.Dr Wilson Songa Ministry of Agriculture 3.Dr Fred Kanampiu CIMMYT 4.Dr Eucharia Kenya Kenyatta University 5.Dr Simon Gichuki KARI-Biotech 6.Dr Dan Kiambi ICRISAT 7.Mrs Nancy Muchiri AATF 8.Mr Daniel Otunge ISAAA (Secretary)

Topics Covered in Year One September 2006-August OFAB Sessions were held covering various topics presented by both local and international experts in biotech- related fields

OFAB 1 Official launch: Dr Noah Wekesa, Minister for Science and Technology Other Speakers Mr. Mark Cantley, UK Public Policy for Biotechnology: International lessons - European Experience Mr. Wellington Chadehumbe, RSA Truth, Freedom and Economic Growth

Dr Charles N Waturu Center Director, KARI-Thika The status of Confined Field Trials of Bt cotton in Kenya OFAB 2 OFAB 3 Mr. Lucas Sese - ABSF Intellectual Property Rights and Agriculture: Role and Implications on Biotechnology Research, Development and Innovation

OFAB 4 OFAB 5 Dr Kandeh Yumkella, UNIDO, DG The role of S&T in Africa’s development process Prof. T J Higgins, Australia Status of Bt Cowpea research and development

OFAB 6 Dr Edward Rege Director, Biotechnology Theme, ILRI Status of the Biosciences Eastern and Central Africa (BecA) OFAB 7 Prof Robert Paarlberg Professor of Political Science, Wellesley College Examining GMOs concerns

OFAB 8 OFAB 9 Mr Obongo Nyachae, CEO, STAK Secretary, Eastern Africa Seed Committee of ASARECA Harmonization of seed policies and regulations in Eastern Africa: Key Challenges and Results Prof Crispus Kiamba PS Min S&T and Dr Wilson Songa Agriculture Secretary Stakeholders Dialogue on Biosafety Bill 2007

Dr Francis Nang’ayo Regulatory Affairs Specialist, AATF The Status of Biosafety Regulations in Africa OFAB 10

Sample Sessions with participants

Analysis of participation Sept Sept 2007 Type. of participants OFAB Sessions TOTAL Scientist/research Policy/gov’t Media Regulators Farmers Others TOTAL

Ongoing/planned activities Ongoing activities 1.Monthly luncheons: Reports and proceedings are available to all participants 2. Official OFAB Website: has been under construction and is ready for unveiling todaywww.ofabafrica.org 3. Annual Report: Programming Committee working on it, to be ready by November 2007

Ongoing/planned activities cont. 4. Biotechnology Resource Book: An outline is ready and chapter writers will be commissioned soon – Coordinator, Dr Dan Kiambi 5. African Biotechnology Symposium: OFAB is planning to hold the first All African biotechnology symposium in Kenya in May Coordinator Dr Fred Kanampiu

Ongoing/Planned activities 5. Launch of BioAWARE: OFAB to play an active role – Link persons - Dr Simon Gichuki and Margaret Karembu 6. Field Visits: OFAB plans to adopt different approaches including visit to labs, field trial sites, industrial sites 7. Developing a strategic plan: OFAB plans to produce a strategic plan by end of 2007 to guide future plans 8. Opinion Survey: Conducting a mini survey to understand and guide future growth. The survey targets participants and the general public through

Survey results Frequency of attendance

Usefulness for networking

Relevance of OFAB objectives

Quality of presentations

Comprehensiveness of answers to questions

Rating of OFAB time keeping

Appropriateness of venue

Suggested topics for future OFABs Status of GMOs in Kenya Awareness creation for small-holder farmers Status of Biosafety bill Biosafety frameworks Understanding of the CBD Biotech Business opportunities Cost/benefit analysis for adopting GMOs Chances of Africa benefiting from GMOs Capability of African countries to enforcing biosafety regulations

Suggestions for improving OFAB 1.Increase number of participants 2.Need more time for debate 3.Invite more international speakers 4.Increase media coverage 5.Start OFAB newsletter 6.Increasing number of non-scientists’ participation 7. presentations to participants 8.Consider evening sessions as well

Benefits from OFAB Got beneficial and relevant information Raised my level of awareness Made new contacts and business links Enlightened on GM debate and the issues surrounding it Closing gap between scientists and journalists

Your Verdict… YES OFAB! Proposals and Suggestions?

Thank you!