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Overview of Agricultural Biotechnology in South Africa

The South African government ran an interim biosafety assessment and decision-making process from 1990 to 1999 that led to the establishment of the GMO Act (Act No. 15 of 1997). Controlled field trials with GMOs began in 1990 and resulted in the 1997 issuance of the first conditional commercial release permit by the National Department of Agriculture.

Status of Biotechnology in Uganda The interim biosafety regulatory system in Uganda is coordinated by the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST).
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Overview of Biotechnology in Zimbabwe

The biosafety regulatory framework was initiated in the early 1990s, and in order to establish a Biosafety Board, the Research Council of Zimbabwe needed to enact a law that could empower them to do so. To accomplish this, a decision was made that the existing Research Act of 1986 would be amended in order to include terminology that could cover this aspect.

Overview of Biotechnology in Zambia In the summer of 2002, Zambia was in the midst of a food security crisis induced by erratic rains and other factors. Despite severe food shortages that put nearly 3million people at risk of starvation, the Zambian Government rejected US donated maize because it could not be certified as being GM free.
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Overview of Biotechnology in Tanzania Biotechnology in Tanzania is in infancy with few institutions involved. Applications are limited to tissue culture and micro propagation techniques. However, application has been made for mass propagation of disease-free planting materials and diagnostic use of DNA markers for genetic characterisation of plants, animals and micro-organisms.
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Biotechnology
Overview of Biotechnology in Swaziland The Swaziland biosafety framework is in the advanced stages of development, draft policy and legislation have been prepared and are in the process of being presented to cabinet.
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Overview of Biotechnology in Namibia The Namibian Biotechnology Alliance (NABA) is running a number of activities to promote and research biotechnology. These include:
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Overview of Biotechnology in Mozambique

Mozambique is a country that faces frequent shortages in food production, particularly in the southern areas that are prone to drought and also to floods. In this context, the development and access to technology for food and agricultural production is of crucial importance for achieving food security in the country. Biotechnology in Mozambique still needs development to assist agricultural research.

Overview of Biotechnology in Mauritius

Mauritius has been involved in biotechnology during the last decade. Research institutions in the country have embarked on various activities in this filed, ranging from formulation and testing of protocols for plant propagation by tissue culture to breeding of genetically modified sugar cane, through use of molecular diagnostics and molecular mapping to improve breeding.

Overview of Biotechnology in Malawi The overall coordination of biotechnology research and development is vested in the National Research Council of Malawi. The Malawi government has adopted a positive attitude towards biotechnology and is taking appropriate steps to reap the benefits offered by the technology.
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Overview of Biotechnology in Lesotho Lesotho, by virtue of its geographical position (i.e. completely surrounded by South Africa), is a recipient and consumer of Genetically Modified Organisms and products which have been commercialised in South Africa.
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