Biotech products for commercial crops have witnessed a rapid global adoption by farmers around the world.  Focused research efforts and development of infrastructure for biosafety evaluation led to early success of biotech products. Recently, we have seen a rise in planting of biotech products by subsistence farmers. However, most small holder farmers in developing countries rely primarily on �orphan crops� such as cassava that have lagged behind on biotech improvements. The Institute for International Crop Improvement (IICI) at Danforth Center with funding support from public and private sectors is focused on extending the benefits of biotechnology to resource poor farmers in developing countries. This presentation will discuss the progress on development of biotech products at IICI with particular emphasis on Virus Resistant Cassava for Africa (VIRCA) and will also highlight the importance of a strong partnership with national institutions in the region and a streamlined regulatory framework for biosafety evaluation, commercial release and adoption of such products.

Commercialization of biotech products for subsistence agriculture in developing countries

248th National Meeting (2014)

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