African policy dialogues on biotechnology: background paper

This background paper examines the positive and negative aspects of intellectual property rights (IPR) in agricultural biotechnologies with respect to the varying positions of different stakeholders. It examines how gains can be made from reliable policies stemming from IPR and whether biotechnology can offer a solution to Africa’s dilemma of low agricultural productivity and food insecurity?The author concludes and recommends that:there is urgent need for comprehensive policy guidelines for biotechnology application in Southern African countries, targeting biosafety laws and giving clear directions on the handling of GMOsthere is equally need for policies on IPR that define the role of protection in agricultural inventions, including the desired extent and utilisation of IPR as well as cost implications and accessattention should be given to capacity development to provide the needed skill for policy development, enactment of laws and implementations of technologies for increased agricultural production and food self-sufficiencypartnerships should be encouraged between stakeholders, including multinational companies, international agencies, national research institutions, companies and non-governmental organisations for enhancement of technology transfer to address food security in Southern Africaawareness creation is key in the understanding of the role of biotechnology ad its potential impact in food security for Southern African countries. Therefore encouragement of networking and utilisation of local groups in advocacy and awareness creation is advantageous for the creation of an informed societySouthern African governments should ensure provision of funding for capacity building, development of laws, policies, structures and an altogether conducive environment for increased food production.