ISAAA AfriCenter launched the 2013 report on the Global Status of
Commercialzed Biotech Crops for the first time in Mozambique in Southern
Africa and in Ivory Coast, West Africa.

In Mozambique, the center collaborated with the Mozambique Institute of
Agricultural Research (IIAM) to hold a press conference in Maputo, on May
28, 2014, which attracted many journalists from the local media houses,
policy makers' scientists and activists. Presiding over the launch, Dr. Roda
Nuvunga Lui, Deputy National Director, Ministry of Science and Technology
said that Mozambique is shifting from its historical position of refusing to
adopt agricultural biotechnology, and has embarked on a path of policy
change that could allow for biotech crops field trials and eventual
commercialization.

The launch in Ivory Coast was organized in collaboration with the Country's
Agricultural Research Center (CNRA) on 12th June 2014. Mr Minayaha Siaka
Coulibaly, the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture
represented the Agriculture Minister in launching the report. Mr. Coulibaly
on his part acknowledged the potential of biotechnology in improving
agricultural productivity in Ivory Coast. "The President of the republic
gave us the mandate to modernize agriculture. We believe that improving
agriculture and the food production in our country will inevitably pass
through research. It is through results from research that the country will
successfully fight against food insecurity and contribute to attain the
Millennium Development Goals," said Mr. Coulibaly.

In both the events, the policy makers lauded ISAAA's initiative of sharing
information and creating awareness on biotechnology by launching the 2013
annual status report urged local scientists to take the lead in educating
the general public on the benefits of biotech crops.

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