Thumbnail Image

Case studies of the use of agricultural biotechnologies to meet the needs of smallholders in developing countries









Ruane, J., Mba, C., Boettcher, P., Koskela, J., Mair, G. & Ramasamy, S., eds. 2023. Case studies of the use of agricultural biotechnologies to meet the needs of smallholders in developing countries. Rome, FAO.




Also available in:
No results found.

Related items

Showing items related by metadata.

  • Thumbnail Image
    Book (stand-alone)
    Biotechnologies at Work for Smallholders: Case Studies from Developing Countries in Crops, Livestock and Fish 2013
    Also available in:
    No results found.

    This book documents a unique series of 19 case studies where agricultural biotechnologies were used to serve the needs of smallholders in developing countries. They cover different regions, production systems, species and underlying socio-economic conditions in the crop (seven case studies), livestock (seven) and aquaculture/fisheries (five) sectors. Most of the case studies involve a single crop, livestock or fish species and a single biotechnology. The biotechnologies covered include some th at are considered quite traditional, such as fermentation and artificial insemination, as well as other more modern ones, such as the use of DNA-based approaches to detect pathogens. Prepared by scientists and researchers who were directly involved in the initiatives, the authors were able to provide an insider’s guide to the background, achievements, obstacles, challenges and lessons learned from each case study. The final chapter of the book summarizes the background, challenges, results and lessons learned from the 19 case studies.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Document
    Parallel sessions: People, policies, institutions and communities. Chapter Five of the Proceedings of the FAO International Symposium on the Role of Agricultural Biotechnologies in Sustainable Food Systems and Nutrition 2016
    Also available in:
    No results found.

    Chapter 5 contains the Report of outcomes from the three parallel sessions dedicated to the theme of people, policies, institutions and communities. The session looked at the impact of biotechnologies on agricultural productivity, environmental sustainability and socio-economic well-being. It also considered the role of evidence in policy-making. Nineteen case studies were discussed in consideration of applying non-GMO biotechnologies for smallholders, which could eventually assist policy-make rs when deciding on potential interventions involving biotechnologies for smallholders in developing countries. Specific case studies and experiences from China and India were also discussed, with reference to both GMOs and non-GMO biotechnologies. The FAO international symposium on “The role of agricultural biotechnologies in sustainable food systems and nutrition” took place from 15 to 17 February 2016 at FAO headquarters, Rome. Over 400 people attended, including 230 delegates from 75 me mber countries and the European Union, as well as representatives of intergovernmental organizations, private sector entities, civil society organizations, academia/research organizations and producer organizations/cooperatives. The symposium encompassed the crop, livestock, forestry and fishery sectors and was organized around three main themes: i) climate change; ii) sustainable food systems and nutrition; and iii) people, policies, institutions and communities. The proceedings provide the mai n highlights of the symposium which covered a broad range of biotechnologies, from low-tech approaches such as those involving use of microbial fermentation processes, biofertilizers, biopesticides and artificial insemination, to high-tech approaches such as those involving advanced DNA-based methodologies and genetically modified organisms.

    Read the full report

    Full report chapter by chapter:

    For more information, visit the webpage http://www.fao.org/about/meetings/agribiotechs-symposium/en/.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Book (stand-alone)
    Ten Lessons from Biotechnology Experiences in Crops, Livestock and Fish for Smallholders in Developing Countries 2013
    Also available in:
    No results found.

    FAO recently commissioned a unique series of 19 case studies where agricultural biotechnologies were used to serve the needs of smallholders in developing countries. Most involved a single crop, livestock or fish species and a single biotechnology. The biotechnologies covered include some that are considered quite traditional, such as artificial insemination and fermentation, as well as other more modern ones, such as the use of DNA-based approaches to detect pathogens, but not genet ic modification. From the case studies, we have drawn ten general and interrelated lessons which can be used to inform and assist policy-makers when deciding on potential interventions involving biotechnologies for smallholders in developing countries. These include: the absolute necessity for government commitment and backing from donors and international agencies, and of partnerships, both nationally and internationally, and also with the farmers themselves in the planning and impl ementation of programmes while bearing in mind also the need to retain flexibility in order to respond appropriately to evolving circumstances; and the recognition that while long-term investments in science and technology are critical, the successful use of biotechnologies also requires their appropriate integration with other sources of science-based and traditional knowledge. For the 19 case studies, there were no indications that intellectual property issues, access to genetic resources or specific regulatory mechanisms constrained use of any of the biotechnologies or their products. It was also concluded that planning, monitoring and evaluation of biotechnology applications was weak and should be strengthened.

Users also downloaded

Showing related downloaded files

No results found.