Many developing countries are reliant
upon the performance of their agriculture for economic growth and an increase
in employment opportunities. To improve agricultural production, USAID is
working with countries in Africa and Asia to utilize agricultural biotechnology
as an instrument for agricultural development. USAID's agricultural
biotechnology programs are developing new crop varieties that are resistant to insects
and plant diseases. USAID also supports the development and integration of
biosafety systems in Africa and Asia.
These
programs for biosafety systems work with regional partners to help with
creating and implementing biosafety policies and procedures, increase countries'
capacity for technology development, and assist local research institutions
address regulatory and intellectual property rights issues.
USAID's
collaborative agricultural biotechnology programs work to improve food security
and make farmers' agricultural systems more environmentally sustainable. For
further information, please follow this link: http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/agriculture/biotechnology/index.html
