The BIO-EARN Newsletter  A Publication from the BIO-EARN Regional Coordination Office No 1, June 2006 Scientific Research Activities BIO-EARN Projects To realize the Programme outputs and specific objectives, the programme will implement five interdisciplinary projects summarized below: Project 1: Developing technologies to ameliorate abiotic and biotic stresses of sorghum. This project intends to increase the productivity of sorghum by developing methods that speed-up breeding for resistance to abiotic stresses (drought, Aluminum toxicity and low phosphorus availability in the soil) and biotic stresses (anthracnose and Turcicum leaf blight) through the use of marker-assisted selection (MAS). Project 2: Towards sustainable cassava and sweetpotato production for food and industrial use. This project aims at generating technologies and capacity that will facilitate cassava and sweet potato genetic improvement and clean seed production, and thus ultimately contribute to food security and economic development in the Eastern Africa region. Project 3: Development of efficient technologies for sustainable treatment of high strength agro-industry waste water in eastern Africa. This project aims at generating new tools, knowledge, technologies, and products (bioprocesses) that will enhance the performance of current wastewater agro-industry management practices in the region thereby contributing to environmental sustainability, sustainable economic development and improved livelihoods of millions of Eastern Africans susceptible to water born diseases. Project 4: Development of improved technologies to utilize industrial and agricultural waste for bio-energy and value-added chemical production. This project concerns the utilization of surplus biomass generated from sisal and fish industries, for generation of bio-energy and value-added chemical products. Project 5: Enhancing product development opportunities and supportive policies. This project focuses on supporting the management of regional research projects, and on enhancing the development of an enabling environment for R4D, technology adoption and diffusion. The BIO-EARN Innovation Fund The new Programme will also have an 'Innovation Fund' focusing on R4D, innovation and product development partnerships targeted to Eastern African needs and conditions. The fund would be instrumental in supporting the much needed technology transfer entrepreneurship and business development skills in the public sector, and the movement of interesting and promising technologies from the laboratory to the market. (Page 4 of 6) Go to next page: Upcoming Events