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About
BIO-EARN
The
mission of the BIO-EARN Programme is to build capacity in
biotechnology in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda and
promote appropriate research and related policies. The
Programme aims to use biotechnology in a sustainable manner in
order to help improve livelihoods, ensure food security and
safeguard the environment.
The
East African Regional Programme and Research Network for
Biotechnology, Biosafety and Biotechnology Policy Development
(BIO-EARN) was initiated in 1998 to develop human capital and
infrastructure to enable the region acquire its own capacity
to conduct strategic biotechnology research in agriculture,
environment and industrial sub-sectors of the economy.
The programme aims at strengthening national and
institutional abilities to assess, develop and implement
effective policies for technology development and
dissemination as well as facilitate the establishment of
biosafety regulatory structures. BIO-EARN is a novel programme
as it was formulated with the understanding that the development
process is complex and therefore requires a cross-sectoral
approach and regional collaborative research for development
(R4D). Recognising
that agriculture is pivotal in poverty reduction programmes,
BIO-EARN adopted an integrated approach given that the
agricultural sector is interlinked with industry and dependent
on natural resources.
Related
information: BIO-EARN's Inception
and Evolution including information on the roles
of Sida, SAREC and SEI.
BIO-EARN
Phases I & II Successes
During
phases I and II (1999-2005) BIO-EARN performance was
remarkable. Several young scientists were trained at PhD and
MSc level in the areas of agricultural, environmental and
industrial biotechnology, senior scientists were equipped with
capacity to carry out collaborative research, and several
laboratories in various institutions in the region were
upgraded and equipped in readiness for R4D in the three
sectors mentioned above. The Programme also contributed to
development of bio-policy and biosafety regulatory framework
in eastern Africa
and a strong network (North-South and South-South) was
established.
Related
Information: BIO-EARN
Milestones 1998-2005
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