The Asian Biotechnology and Development Review has published an article,
"Ten Lessons from Biotechnology Experiences in Crops, Livestock, and Fish
for Smallholders in Developing Countries." Written by James D. Dargie, John
Ruane, and Andrea Sonnino, the article is a project by the Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The FAO commissioned a unique series of 19 case studies where agricultural
technologies were used to serve the needs of smallholders in developing
countries. Most involved a single crop, livestock or fish species and a
single biotechnology. From the case studies, ten general and interrelated
lessons were drawn that could be used to inform and assist policymakers when
deciding on potential interventions involving biotechnologies for
smallholders.

Some of the lessons are:

* the need for government commitment and backing from donors and
international agencies;
* the need for partnerships, both nationally and internationally, but
also with the farmers themselves; and,
* the recognition that long-term investments in science and technology
are critical, as is the appropriate integration of biotechnologies with
science-based and traditional knowledge.

The study also found that planning, monitoring, and evaluation of
biotechnology applications was weak and should be strengthened.

[www.fao.org]