From Green to Gene Revolution? - 10 okt /NPG Cache

78th International Conference on Agriculture and Development ICAD

FROM GREEN TO GENE REVOLUTION?

October 10, 2006 WICC, Lawickse Allee 9, Wageningen, The Netherlands

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[edit] INTRODUCTION

The Green Revolution contributed to enhanced national and global food security. Millennium Development Goal 1 (MDG 1) addresses the same issue, and in addition aims at reducing poverty. Economic poverty is widespread in rural areas of Asia and Africa. To alleviate this rural poverty agricultural development is seen as a key factor, but its success will depend on the capacity of Least Developed Countries to innovate and enhance agricultural production and processing. Agricultural research can make a significant contribution, but drastic options have to be pursued to close the poverty gap between Most Developed and Least Developed Countries. Can the gene revolution or the use of biotechnology and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) narrow this development gap and reduce rural poverty? The gene revolution, as was the green revolution, is based on the use of new varieties and breeds, but now modified through genetic engineering. The gene revolution seeks to have an impact on food security through enhanced food production, which can be achieved through increased resistance to pests or other stress factors. The gene revolution can also have an impact on food quality, through enhancing nutritional or medicinal features such as vitamin enrichment. The discussions and opinions on GMOs are strongly polarised. For some, GMOs mean the end to food insecurity in developing countries, but others argue that its introduction could have serious socio-economic, environmental and human health consequences. Some may argue the gene revolution is the best way for enhanced food production in many LDCs. Others might argue that smallholder farmers in LDCs may not automatically benefit from GMO technology, so that rural poverty is not sufficiently addressed. In addition, food insecurity and poor quality diets are not simply due to low production levels, but also have to do with limited marketing possibilities, poor functioning delivery systems, and lack of institutional and policy support. The 78th International Conference on Agriculture and Development (ICAD) focuses on the gene revolution and its contribution to sustainable pro-poor development. The following questions will be addressed in presentations and discussions: (i) What can the gene revolution mean for smallholders? (ii) Is food security enhanced through gene food? (iii) What are the consequences of the gene revolution for the environment? (iv) Is gene food effective and socially acceptable?