Desta, Selamawit (2009) The Role of Agricultural Biotechnology in Alleviating Food Insecurity in Ethiopia. Research and Perspectives on Development Practice, 7. ISSN 2009-6976
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Abstract
This paper summarizes my MA thesis examining the role of Agricultural
Biotechnology in alleviating food insecurity in Ethiopia. Agricultural
biotechnology, and in particular Genetically Modified Organisms
(GMOs), is considered by the biotech industries as a potential means
to tackle food insecurity. Other views run counter to this position.
This paper analyzes the role of agricultural biotechnology in alleviating
food insecurity and its implications for smallholding farmers and
biodiversity, as perceived by key stakeholders in Ethiopia. Data was
collected in 2007 from fourteen key respondents including government,
non-governmental and public sector representatives as well as three
organic farmers.
Three groups of opinion strongly emerged from the findings. The first
and largest group expressed skepticism about the role of agricultural
biotechnology in alleviating food insecurity. The second and smaller
group of respondents held the middle ground and shared the opinion
that if it is applied with proper caution under biosafety guidelines, it
could be beneficial. The third and smallest group of respondents saw
agricultural biotechnology as the only way to alleviate Ethiopian food
insecurity. Although the weight of concern differed within the three
groups, concerns were raised that biotechnology could have negative
implications for smallholder farmers and biodiversity. The findings
showed a general consensus in their concern over international
governance policies and the inadequate contribution to supporting
efforts of the ‘countries of the global South’ in achieving food security.
The paper highlights the need to address the diverse causes of food
insecurity and argues that the potential of agricultural biotechnology to
address food insecurity is highly questionable and it may even intensify
such problems.
Item Type: | Article |
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Keywords: | Agricultural Biotechnology; Alleviating Food Insecurity; Ethiopia; Kimmage Development Studies Centre; |
Academic Unit: | Faculty of Social Sciences > International Development |
Item ID: | 10198 |
Depositing User: | IR Editor |
Date Deposited: | 09 Nov 2018 10:41 |
Journal or Publication Title: | Research and Perspectives on Development Practice |
Publisher: | Kimmage Development Studies Centre |
Refereed: | Yes |
Funders: | Irish Aid funded Higher Education Authority Grant |
Related URLs: | |
URI: | https://mural.maynoothuniversity.ie/id/eprint/10198 |
Use Licence: | This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here |
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