Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project II
CALS Impact Statement
Overview
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Overview
abstract
ABSPII is a USAID-funded consortium of public and private sector institutions that supports scientists, regulators, extension workers, farmers and the general public in developing countries to make informed decisions about agricultural biotechnology. Where demand exists, ABSPII focuses on the safe and effective development and commercialization of bio-engineered crops as a complement to traditional and organic agricultural approaches. The project helps boost food security, economic growth, nutrition and environmental quality in East and West Africa, Indonesia, India, Bangladesh and the Philippines. The consortium develops innovative, pragmatic solutions to improve agriculture in the developing world.
To introduce the benefits of agriculture biotechnology to those who need it most, the poor and disadvantaged farmers of the developing world. This program is needed because the industries that develop this technology for commercial purposes cannot justify expansion into the most needy farm populations in the developing world because there is not a favorable return on investment. The people who are introducing the benefits of argicultural biotech include scientists, regulators, extension workers, farmers and the general public in developing countries.
response
Please see the attached web site for a complete discription of what has been accomplished to date (http://www.absp2.cornell.edu/).
impact assessment
Several of our agricultural biotechnology products (Bt eggplant, papaya ringspot virus resistant papaya, multi-virus resistant tomato, black sigatoka and nematode resistant bananas) are being tested in field trials for eventual commercial release. Ex-ante socio-economic impact assessments indicate significant economic, social and health benefit will likely be derived from the deployment of these technologies, particularly in developing countries.
topic description
Agricultural Biotechnology
funding source description
United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
