Abstract

The goal of this project is to promote safe and effective development and commercialization of bioengineered crops in developing countries.

Issue

Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project II (ABSPII) is a consortium of public and private sector institutions funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and led by Cornell University. 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, building on the successes of the predecessor Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project (ABSP) that was led for over a decade by Michigan State University.

Response

ABSPII conducts highly participatory, priority-setting activities to ensure that product development is focused on real needs. The project develops a product commercialization package for each bioengineered crop by geographical site. These commercialization packages integrate activities on technology development, policy (including intellectual property), outreach and communication, and marketing and distribution.

Other ABSPII activities include: creating an enabling environment for regulatory and legal authorities; fostering public-private partnerships to boost mutual incentives and self-sustained, long-term investments; promoting a science-based public understanding of bioengineered crops; and monitoring and evaluating the impact of these ABSPII activities.

Impact

During the course of the project, we expect to see: increased agricultural productivity in farmers' fields; improved research and development capacities within collaborating institutions;

increased understanding of scientists and policymakers about markets, regulatory environments, and commercialization requirements of bioengineered crops; increased public awareness and understanding of bioengineered crops that address public needs; and enhanced environments for public-private partnerships in the areas of intellectual property licensing and regulatory approval.

In addition, the long-term goals of ABSPII include the following: increasing agricultural outputs among adopters of new products; improving nutrition by increasing the availability of more secure and varied food sources; and expanding rural economies by increasing farm productivity and improving market opportunities.

Funding Sources

• Other Federal non-USDA (e.g., NSF, NIH, DOA, DOD)

Collaborators

• US Public Institutions ( 9) Major ones are Michigan State University, Virginia Polytechnic and State University (Virginia Tech), Ohio State University
• Major National and Regional Partners are:
• Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA)
• Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI)
• Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCARRD)
• Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)
• Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI)
• Program for Biosafety (PBS)
• Research Institute for Agricultural Biotechnology and Genetic Resources, Indonesia
• Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), India
• University of the Philippines, Los Bañs (UPLB)- Chancellor's Office and Institute of Plant Breeding
• Western and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF)
• Private Sector Entities
• Maharashtra Hybrid Seed Company (MAHYCO) (India)
• Sathguru Management Consultants (SMS) (India)
• CGIAR Center and Other International Institutions
• Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center (AVRDC)
• International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA)
• NGOs and Foundations
• Donald Danforth Plant Science Center

Key Personnel

• Ronnie Coffman, Director, IP/CALS; Co-Director, ABSP II
• Frank Shotkoski, Director, ABSP II
• K.V.Raman, Associate Director, ABSP II