This paper analyzes an ongoing effort by national, regional, and international partners to raise awareness, promote dialogue, and catalyze consensus-building mechanisms among stakeholder groups on the role of biotechnology in agricultural development and food security in southern Africa. Stakeholders include public bodies, the private sector, and civil society. The paper argues that while responsible adoption of agricultural biotechnology promises significant gains to the countries of southern Africa, governments must clarify its specific role, improve policies for its application, and assess the place of biotechnology in broader development strategies. The issues that surround the introduction, creation, and application of agricultural biotechnology in... |