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OFAB Kenya Chapter progress 2012 Presentation by t he Programming Committee

Learn about OFAB Kenya's achievements in 2012/13, including monthly meetings, special events, county outreach, and science communication training. Discover the impact of the baseline survey, NetMapping, and the establishment of working groups. Explore key biotech issues and issue management efforts. Engage with OFAB through its publications, secretariat establishment, and social media platforms.

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OFAB Kenya Chapter progress 2012 Presentation by t he Programming Committee

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  1. OFAB Kenya Chapterprogress 2012 Presentation by the Programming Committee OFAB ANNUAL REVIEW & PLANNING MEETING May 8-10, 2013 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

  2. Establishment and Growth • Established in 2006 • Pioneer Chapter of OFAB Africa • Hosted by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), AfriCenter, under a collaborative agreement with the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF)

  3. OFAB-Kenya Partners

  4. Vision and Mission Vision • An Africa in which agricultural biotechnology makes a significant contribution to enhanced food security and wealth creation. Mission • To build an effective, trustworthy and responsive platform for society to make informed decisions on safety and appropriateness of the application of agricultural biotechnology.

  5. Progress in 2012/13

  6. 1. Held 10 monthly meetings • Facilitated discussions on emerging issues e.g. labeling regulations, Seralini’s study • Increased information sharing due to improved coverage of OFAB events by the media • CMA’s presentation in June formed the basis for subsequent meetings to discuss labeling regulations • Coverage of key policy matters has led to recognition by key policy-making agencies e.g KEBS

  7. Mrs. PalomaFernandes, Executive Officer, CMA makes a presentation on “ Impact of labeling regulations’’ during the June OFAB event

  8. July 2, 2012: Africa Science Technology and Innovation News (AFRICASTI)

  9. 2. Special events (3 held) • Increased awareness among senior officials from ASCU ministries • NCST requested that the Biotech day be made annual • Increased agri-biotech awareness among the youth (biotech quiz & fashion show) • Participation at KARI conference raised OFAB K’s visibility

  10. University students participating in the quiz Design students showcasing their garments

  11. 3. OFAB county • 1st held in Siaya on Dec 5, 2012; 2nd to be held on May 14th- delay due to heightened political period • Enhanced biotech awareness among farmers • Revealed the huge biotech information gap among the public

  12. Participants at a farmers field Participants follow the proceedings

  13. 4. Science communication training • Workshop held on September 17-18, 2012 • Involved journalists and scientists • Increased objectivity in media reporting • Raised confidence of scientists to communicate • Better relationship between the two groups

  14. “.....the meeting identified our weaknesses as scientists/ media that we have lived with without notice. As a result of the workshop, I feel I can now address the biotechnology uptake issues in a much more comprehensive and organised way. Thank you and keep it up!”-Prof. LailaAbubakar, University of Nairobi

  15. 5. Baseline survey • Held in Oct/Nov 2012 • Will enable a more focused approach in handling issues and communicating agri-biotech • Led to essential recommendations that will guide OFAB

  16. Objectives of the baseline survey • Study conducted to determine the prevailing knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of agricultural biotechnology among different stakeholders Objectives • To establish a benchmark for tracking outcomes and impacts attributed to OFAB interventions • Support development of M&E framework with indicators for measuring progress during the implementation of the Strategic Plan.

  17. 6. NetMapping • Held in Nov 12-14, 2012 • Goal: Activate and Engage Key Stakeholders for Biotech Acceptance • Identified challenges towards achieving OFAB Kenya’s objectives • Was instrumental in planning for the year 2013/14

  18. Participants identifying key OFAB stakeholders

  19. 7. OFAB publications • 3 Issue briefs • 2011 annual report • 2012 annual report

  20. OFAB issue brief used in parliament to question the ban of GM food imports

  21. 8. Establishment of secretariat & working groups • Secretariat strengthened • 3 WGs established: • County expansion & special events • Capacity strengthening& documentation • Publicity • Increased efficiency in execution of OFAB activities

  22. 9. Social media platforms • Vital in sharing information on agricultural biotechnology especially with the youth • Facebook page has 95 likes • Twitter page has 27 followers • Contributed in facilitating online discussions

  23. OFABKenyahas 95 likes

  24. @OFABKenya page has 28 followers

  25. Key Biotech Issues in Kenya, 2012 • Punitive labeling regulations. • Penalties of KShs. 20 million, ten years imprisonment or both for those contravening. • Discouraging to traders & technology developers

  26. Cont’d b) Study by Seraliniet al., linking GM maize too cancer. might have led to: c) Cabinet’s decision to impose a temporary hold on the importation of GM foods.

  27. Issue Management • Provided platforms for discussion: • June 28, 2012 – Labeling regulations • Oct 25, 2012– Safety of GM Maize • Nov 29, 2012– Implications of the ban • Feb 28, 2013 – No link between cancer and GM foods • Direct engagement with policy makers

  28. Cont’d • Provided IEC materials • Ensured that the discussions on emerging issues were well covered by the media

  29. Key lessons learnt • There exists a huge information gap on agri-biotech within the public domain • People make decisions based on the information at hand regardless of authenticity • The media wields great influence • Innovative ways are needed in reaching out to policy makers • OFAB should be proactive at all times rather than being reactive

  30. Status of agri-biotech in Kenya • Wide adoption of TC especially in banana propagation • 10 GM projects, most focusing on Kenya’s main staple crops such cassava (VIRCA), sweet potato (SASHA) and maize (WEMA) • Bt cotton commercialization expected in 2015

  31. Biosafety frameworks • National Biotechnology Development Policy 2006 • Biosafety Act 2009 • National Biosafety Authority (NBA) • Four biosafety regulations: • Contained use • Environmental release, • Import, Export and Transit, and • Labelling Regulations.

  32. Summary of activity plan for 2013/14 • Enhance media engagement • Engage the newly elected officials • Biotech tours, roundtable meetings, IEC materials • Spearhead activities towards lifting of the ban on importation of GM foods • Broaden collaboration with academia, youth and scientific community

  33. Cont’d • Conduct biotech communication training for County assemblies and Cereal Millers Association • Production of quarterly agri-biotech updates • Provide fora for stakeholders interactions on agricultural biotechnology

  34. Thank you

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