module 1 food security, agricultural systems and biotechnology · definition and terminologies unit...

MODULE 1

Food Security, Agricultural

Systems and Biotechnology

Prof. Miriam G. KINYUA University of Eldoret

1. Module contents

Unit 1 Introduction, Agricultural Systems and Food security: 4 hrs

Unit 2: Inter-disciplinary Approaches to Biotechnology: 3 hrs

Unit 3: Food Sovereignty in African Context: 4 hrs

Unit 4: Civil Society Influence to Application of Biotechnology: 4 hrs

Unit 5: Local Socio-Cultural Perceptions: 5 hrs

Final Version; February 2017

Disclaimer This publication has been produced in February 2017, with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication is the sole responsibility of the author and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.

2

UNIT 1: Introduction to Agricultural

systems

and Food security

(04 Hours)


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Objective

Introduce the concept of biotechnology providing potential contributions to sustainable agricultural productivity and emphasise the need to integrate biotechnology into agricultural systems

Unit 1: Introduction, Agricultural Systems

and Food Security

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Definition and Terminologies

Unit 1:Introduction, Agricultural Systems

and Food Security

1. Food security

A condition related to the supply of food and individuals access to it. a measure of resilience to future disruptions or unavailability of critical food supply due to various risk factors including drought, shipping disruptions, fuel shortages, economic instability and wars.

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and Food Security

2. Food sovereignty

The right of peoples to healthy and culturally

appropriate food produced through ecologically

sound and sustainable methods, and their right to

define their own food and agricultural systems.

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and Food Security

3. Biotechnology

Any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use. A broad discipline in which biological processes, organisms, cells or cellular components are exploited to develop new technologies.

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and Food Security

4. Agricultural systems

A population of individual farm systems that have

broadly similar resource bases, enterprise patterns,

households livelihoods and constrains and for which

similar development strategies and interventions

would be appropriate

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and Food Security

5. Social culture

The accepted way of doing things, the way in

which people live, their custom, traditions, methods

of cultivation and so on.

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and Food Security

6. Green revolution

the great increase in production of food grains

(as rice and wheat) due to the introduction of

high-yielding varieties, to the use of pesticides,

and to better management techniques.

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Agriculture Systems


and Food Security

Traditional and modern Agricultural systems have evolved from traditional to modern agricultural systems Traditional methods constitute with crop rotation, tradition irrigation, hand pruning as a control of weed. Modern agriculture constitute of agronomy, plant breeding, agrochemicals (pesticides and fertilizers) and technological improvement

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Food Security


and Food Security

Constitute of food security

Food security is built up of 3 pillars: food availability- sufficient quantities of food food access- sufficient resources to obtain appropriate foods food use- appropriate use based on knowledge of basic nutrition and care Stability – food availability, food access and appropriate use of food

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Food Security


and Food Security

What is food insecurity?

Food insecurity is a situation of “limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods or limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways (according to the united states)

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Food Security


and Food Security

Causes of food insecurity

Climate change Post harvest losses Population increase Drought and other extreme weather events Pest and diseases Cash crop dependence Aids, corruption and political instability

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Food Security


and Food Security

Impact of biotechnology

Biotechnology has innovative technologies that deploys a smart mix of farming techniques using genetic engineering.

Integrating these to small holders farming system will offer a bright prospect of meeting the growers demand for food by improving both yield and nutritional quality of crops and reducing environmental impact.

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Food security


and Food Security

Developing Countries that have practiced green revolution

Mexico (1950-1970) Philippines (1960) India(1961) Brazil

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Questions and Discussion


and Food Security

1. Discuss the following questions in your groups. a. Causes of food insecurity with reference to specific

countries (refer to slide 13) b. In the countries below, discuss with examples how

green revolution has had an impact in their food security

i. Mexico (1950-1970) ii. Philippines (1960) iii. India(1961) iv. Brazil 14/14

MODULE 1: Food Security, Agricultural Systems

and Biotechnology

UNIT 2: Inter-disciplinary Approaches

to Biotechnology

(03 Hours)


1/20

Objectives

Unit 2: Inter-disciplinary Approaches

to Biotechnology

Explore the different disciplines used together with biotechnology skills in different fields like genetic engineering, forensics, agriculture, bioremediation and medicine to achieve different goals in these fields Define biotechnology Identify biotechnologies in common use Differentiate between types of biotechnology

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Quick reminder-Definition


to Biotechnology

Define biotechnology

Manipulation of natural bio-systems with multiple disciplines for human benefits OR Any technique that uses living organisms, or substances from these organisms, to make or modify a product, to improve plants or animals or to develop micro organisms for specific uses.

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Introduction


to Biotechnology

cell and tissue culture, molecular biology, biochemistry and plant and animal breeding are basically the main pillars of biotechnology (Explain) However, interactions with other disciplines can be achieved depending on the nature of the project (Example)

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Introduction


to Biotechnology

In biotechnology, applications include: therapeutics, diagnostics, GM crops animals for agriculture, processed food, waste treatment, bioremediation and energy production

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Introduction


to Biotechnology

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Interdisciplinary approach in Agricultural Biotechnology


to Biotechnology

Example I main disciplinary pillars of biotechnology for improving industrially important tree species in the developing countries e.g. Acasia spp include a. Tissue culture

i. Micro-propagation- rapidly multiplying stock plant material to produce a large number of progeny plants. Botany, microbiology and plant physiology

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to Biotechnology

ii. Soma-clonal variation- variation seen in plants that have been produced by plant tissue culture e.g. chromosome rearrangement (Genetics, plant physiology, cytology) iii. Cryopreservation (Define and give examples as above)

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to Biotechnology

iv. Somatic cell hybridisation (as above) v. Somatic embryogenesis (as above) vi. Haploid production (as above)

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to Biotechnology

Example II Biotechnology is valuable because of

a. Improved tolerance to biotic stresses such diseases b. Resistance to herbicides c. Improved and diversified quality of agricultural products

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to Biotechnology

Increment in crop yield potential and yield stability is more relegated because of its complex genetic and physiological mechanisms. In such cases, the new biotechnologies play an important role if integrated with crop physiology, molecular biology and breeding knowledge (more examples from class)

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to Biotechnology

Example III Cloning of the Bt toxin gene

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to Biotechnology

Example IV Effects of Bt toxin on corn borer

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Interdisciplinary approach in Medical Biotechnology


to Biotechnology

Biotechnology in Medicine

Diagnose and treat diseases using effective recombinant therapeutic drugs

Example I Biopharmaceuticals which require the combination of different skills and disciplines…ethnobotany, microbiology, chemistry etc. 14/20



to Biotechnology

The pharmaceutical industry has shifted its former emphasis on chemical drug discovery and synthesis to drug discovery and development using biotechnology Many biotechnology companies now work with major pharmaceutical companies because of their experience in clinical testing, regulation and marketing


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to Biotechnology

All major (disciplines) activities necessary to bring a new biotechnology drug to the public


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Interdisciplinary approach in Medical biotechnology


to Biotechnology

Biotechnology-Gene therapy

Corrects or treats hereditary diseases (a gene defect) in a child or embryo Genes are inserted into cells and tissues to treat diseases (Discuss examples of disciplines involved in gene therapy)

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Interdisciplinary approach in Industrial Biotechnology


to Biotechnology

Industrial biotechnology

Examples biodegradable plastics, bio-fuels and environmental applications require biochemistry. The principle behind biochemistry is understanding the structure of living systems and in turn the functions and ways of control

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to Biotechnology

Read chapter 4 of the Life Sciences and Related Fields: Trends relevant to the Biological Weapons convention,

National Research Council, The National Academies press www.nap.edu

Discuss in groups of Five Answer the questions on the next slide

Industrial biotechnology

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to Biotechnology

Industrial biotechnology-Summary of Discussion

Discuss chapter four, list down different examples of biotechnological activities. Explain the disciplines involved and process that take place in order to get the final product.

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MODULE 1: Food Security, Agricultural Systems

and Biotechnology

UNIT 3: Food Sovereignty in African

Context

(04 Hours)


1/9

Objectives

Unit 3: Food Sovereignty in African

Context

2/9

Appreciate importance of food sovereignty

Describe what constitutes food security

Compare different strategy for food security

Understanding African context of food

security

Food aid and security


Context

Food aid implies withdrawal of small scale agriculture and directly threatening the livelihood of farmers, damping large quantities of low priced grain in developing countries making it impossible for small scale farmers compete leading to the food insecurity. (Give an example)

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Food aid and Food security


Context

These can be curbed by adoption of advanced agricultural biotechnology techniques improving quality and yield of the grains produced

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Case studies in Food sovereignty


Context

Expand to give basis for discussion Europe in 2011

inter country dependability

Israel Intra-country planning

Discuss Food sovereignty vs Food Security

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Green revolution


Context

Definition

The developments in plant breeding and technology transfers between 1960’s and 1980’s that increased agricultural production worldwide particularly in the developing countries. (Give examples)

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Green revolution


Context

Its focus is on research, development and transfer of agricultural technology e.g hybrid seeds irrigation and fertilizers. Give examples

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Green revolution


Context

Benefits production of high yield crops Larger quantities of food Growth of more crops reducing cost

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Green revolution


Context

Limitations

Increase in pollution and erosion Water shortages and droughts due to

influence of large irrigation schemes Link to sovereign

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MODULE 1:Food Security, Agricultural Systems

and Biotechnology

UNIT 4: Civil Society Influence to

application

of Biotechnology

(04 Hours)


1/33

Evaluate the role of civil society advocacy in agricultural issues relating to application of biotechnology

Describe the benefits and challenges arising from the involvement of civil groups in food policy issues and market players adherence to regulations governing GMOs

Objectives

Unit 4: Civil Society Influence to

application of Biotechnology

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Assess the impact of the civil society in enhancing farmers awareness of their right to information, legal protection, shared benefits accrued from use of biotechnology in food production

Assess the role of governments in policy formulation on biotechnology

Objectives



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Definitions



Civil society- different versions….

Civil society is defined as an aggregate of institutions whose members are engaged primarily in a complex of non-state activities—economic and cultural production, voluntary associations, and household life—and who in this way preserve and transform their identity by exercising all sorts of pressures or controls upon state institutions’.

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Definitions



Aggregate of non-governmental organizations and institutions that manifest interests and the will of citizens’ Individuals and organizations in the society which are independent of the government’ ‘The arena of uncoerced collective action around shared interests purposes and values’.

Civil society-

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Definitions



Aggregate of non-governmental organizations and institutions that manifest interests and will of citizens." Civil society includes the family and the private sphere, referred to as the "third sector" of society, distinct from government and business

Civil society-

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Examples of Civil Societies



For most of Africa, in terms of this working definition, civil society would include: trade unions; professional associations; church and para-church organizations; resident, student, business and other special interest associations; the media; and various types of non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

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Civil society



The concept

The concept of civil society originated with the writings of Hegel, Gramsci and Marx -In theory, its institutional forms are distinct from those of the state, family and market though in practice, the boundaries between state, civil society, family and market are often complex, blurred and negotiated.

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Civil society



The civil society commonly embraces a diversity of spaces, actors and institutional forms, varying in degree of formality, autonomy and power Civil societies are often populated by organizations such as tax-exempt public charities, foundations, development non-government organizations, community and grassroots organizations, women organizations etc

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Definition-Advocacy



public support for or recommendation of a particular cause or policy is a political process by an individual or group which aims to influence decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions. Advocacy can include many activities that a person or organization undertakes including media campaigns, public speaking, commissioning and publishing research or conducting exit poll or the filing of an amicus brief. 10/33

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_science



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advocacy_group

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amicus_curiae



Definition- Advocacy



Lobbying (often by lobby groups) is a form of advocacy where a direct approach is made to legislators on an issue, which plays a significant role in modern politics. Research has started to address how advocacy groups in the U.S. and Canada are using social media to facilitate civic engagement and collective action.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobbying

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobbying

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobby_groups



Definition-Stakeholders



A person, group or organization that has interest or concern in an organization. Stakeholders can affect or be affected by the organization's actions, objectives and policies. Some examples of key stakeholders are creditors, directors, employees, government (and its agencies), owners (shareholders), suppliers, unions, and the community from which the business draws its resources.

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http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/person.html

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/group.html

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/interest.html

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/concern.html

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/organization.html

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/action.html

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/objective.html

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/policy.html

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/examples.html

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/creditor.html

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/director.html

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/employee.html

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/government.html

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/agency.html

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/owner.html

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/shareholder.html

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/supplier.html

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/union.html

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/community.html

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/business.html

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/draw.html

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/resource.html

Definitions- NGO



A non-governmental organization (NGO) is any non-profit, voluntary citizens' group, which is organized on a local, national or international level. Task-oriented and driven by people with a common interest, NGOs perform a variety of service and humanitarian functions, bring citizen concerns to Governments, advocate and monitor policies and encourage political participation through provision of information. 13/33

NGOs



Some are organized around specific issues, such as human rights, environment or health. They provide analysis and expertise; serve as early warning mechanisms and help monitor and implement international agreements. Their relationship with offices and agencies of the United Nations system differs depending on their goals, their venue and the mandate of a particular institution

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NGOs



There are many types of NGO Orientation (charitable, service, participatory, empowering) and level of Co-operation (community based, city wide, national, and international).

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NGOs



They maybe non-profit organizations- “… a group organized for purposes other than generating profit and in which no part of the organization’s income is distributed to its members, directors, or officers.” The biggest difference with an NGO is the scope of work that most non-profits assume

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Definition- CBOs



Community based organizations (CBO's) are nonprofit groups that work at a local level to improve life for residents. The focus is to build equality across society in all streams - health care, environment, quality of education, access to technology, access to spaces and information for the disabled, to name but a few.

Community based organizations

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Community based organizations (CBOs)



The inference is that the communities represented by the CBO's are typically at a disadvantage. CBO's are typically, and almost necessarily, staffed by local members - community members who experience first hand the needs within their neighborhoods.

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Involvement and advocacy of agricultural issues



Civil groups and NGOs-play a major role in sensitizing the public on the benefits of adopting biotechnology that has been subjected to strict regulatory mechanisms.

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Civil society participation in international and European governance is often promoted as a remedy to its much-lamented democratic deficit.

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civil society participation may serve two quite different purposes: It may either enhance the democratic accountability of intergovernmental organizations and regimes or the epistemic quality of rules and decisions made within them.

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They often lead to enhanced transparency and hence improve the accountability of governance The different roles assigned to civil society organizations as “watchdogs” and “deliberators” are at times difficult to reconcile.

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Issues that come up in application of biotechnology in food production



When there is commitment to more input- oriented, communicative approaches, which have more citizen participation this makes policy on biotechnology more effective.

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The regulatory framework for GMOs inaugurated at the beginning of this decade includes consumer interests and ethical concerns as legitimate considerations that should be included in the process of authorization of GM products in the EU market.

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Example The EU institutional setting provides civil society with a quite remarkable number of access points for influencing regulation, mainly through representation within expert advisory bodies, through ad hoc consultations, and Internet pages open to public comment (Steffek and Ferreti, 2009).

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Assignments



Case studies

Campesino a Campesino (Farmer to Farmer) of Latin America; Participatory Land Use Management (PELUM) in Africa The Farmer Field Schools in Asia.

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Government policy on stakeholder involvement



Government’s relationship with its stakeholders is critical to successful policy-making and delivery Definitions of ‘stakeholders’ vary, but the most useful is: “Any group or individual who can affect or is affected by the achievement of the organization's objective’ (Freeman, 1984).

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Government policy on stakeholder involvement



Government organizations already maintain

relationships with most stakeholder groups.

But not all these relationships are

proactively managed or sufficiently two way to deliver value. So it’s important that your stakeholders feel that they are part of a two-way relationship, where their opinions are listened to

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Farmer groups, cooperative societies and community based organizations drive in agriculture



Understanding the role of farmer groups, cooperative societies, CBOs drive in agriculture. What gap do they fill and what are the results associated with their participation?

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Case Study 1 Select each of the named groups from Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe and discuss their contribution to enhanced agriculture

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Case study 2 Lost in Translation? Domesticating Global Policy on Genetically Modified Organisms: Comparing India and China (Newell, 2008). Case study 3 Integrating Advocacy and Practice: Brazil’s Landless Workers Movement 31/33

Group dynamics and government position on NGOs, CBOs, associations and cooperatives



Involvement of these groups in biotechnology enterprises Understanding the roles played by the different groups in the biotechnology enterprise The partnerships between the government and the role players Advantages of the group dynamics in promoting healthy trade and benefit sharing from the sale of biotechnology products 32/33

Group dynamics and government position on NGOs, CBOs, associations and cooperatives



a) Case studies on NGOs e.g AATF, Aharvest a) Define role of each NGO and their

impact in Biotech b) Case studies on countries: Kenyan, Latin American and Asia context

33/33

MODULE 1 : Food Security, Agricultural Systems

and Biotechnology

UNIT 5: Local Socio-Cultural Perceptions

To Biotechnology

(05 Hours)


1/25

Objectives

Unit 5: Local Socio-Cultural

Perceptions to Biotechnology

Evaluate Peoples’ crop preferences vs what modern agriculture offers Explore biotechnology in context of existing social norms Identify People’s perceptions that underpin preferences in their norms

2/25

People’s crop preferences vs what modern agriculture offers



Introduction

In the history of humankind, we have those who have embraced change and also those who have clung to the old

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The first person who tried to scratch out a garden most assuredly heard derisive laughter as the mighty hunters headed off in pursuit of meat. Therefore, it should not be surprising that history is being replayed as we enter the era of biotechnology.

Introduction

4/25




Some sections of many supermarkets are stocked with large, bright, flavorful fruits and vegetables. These vibrant fruits and vegetables, coupled with the convenience of options like seedless grapes and watermelons, is due to artificial selection and other plant breeding techniques.

Consider this!!

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However, most consumers don’t associate these foods with genetic modification. The phrase “genetically modified organism” (GMO) is reserved for plants, such as Roundup Ready corn, that have been produced by agricultural companies in order to maximize profit.

Reality!!

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Many questions have arisen on the wisdom and safety of genetically modified food organisms, although there is no scientific evidence supporting these fears In fact, many companies label their products “GMO free”, furthering the belief that anything “GMO” should be avoided

Think!!

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The attention given to GMOs could make one think that modifying crops is a new phenomenon, but history and genetics tell us a very different story Humans have been using their knowledge of genetics to breed desirable plants since the agricultural revolution

Imagine!!

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Societal anxiety is fueled by a variety of causes: including consumer unfamiliarity lack of reliable information on the current safeguards in place a steady stream of negative opinion in the news media, opposition by activist groups

Societal anxiety

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Societal anxiety

growing mistrust of industry, and a general lack of awareness of how our food production system has evolved. The scientific community has neither adequately addressed public concerns about GM foods nor effectively communicated the value of this technology.

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Societal acceptance

Societal acceptance is very important to the continued development and application of biotechnology in food and agriculture. The society should know that humans and crops have been inextricably intertwined since the dawn of civilization

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Societal acceptance

Therefore, an appreciation of our agricultural past may guide us in addressing societal concerns and will also ensure minimal negative consequences from scientific pursuits

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Thousands of food products consumed in the world contain food ingredients produced from biotech crops Plant breeders saw biotechnology as an additional means of crop improvement which could complement existing methods.

Truth!!

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Truth!!

Lately, there has been widespread acceptance and support for biotechnology from the scientific community. There has been accumulated experience and knowledge of decades of crop improvement

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Truth!!

In addition to expert judgment, science-based reasoning and empirical research has led to scientists’ confidence that GM crops may pose no new or heightened risks that could not be identified or mitigated

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Way forward!!!

Risks from GM crops should be monitored and measured Concerns about these risks must also be balanced against the enormous benefits and weighed against alternative options.

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Good example

The strong trust that the American public has in its regulatory agencies (FDA, USDA, and EPA) has helped gain higher public acceptance of GM food in this country than in other nations.

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Journal papers Discussion

Look at questions in the next slide and discuss

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Typical Questions on GM crops

Is it ethical for scientists to modify living organisms around us? Is it morally right to tamper with our food supply? Is the genetic modification of crops inherently hazardous? Despite the built-in safeguards, can we unwittingly make our foods unsafe?

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What about the long-term consequences of consuming such foods? Do GM crops affect the environment or the wild ecosystem, reducing crop biodiversity, beneficial insects, or the revered monarch butterfly? Can these genes be transferred to other organisms including humans and animals?

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Could these crops lead to the development of noxious “superweeds”? Are we introducing these crops into our environment without fully understanding the consequences of such action? What about genetic pollution?

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In addition, there are also larger and even more important sociopolitical issues such as anxiety about the control of food and agricultural systems, including questions about the pervasive impact of globalization.

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Possible solutions

Add your answers

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Creating an awareness of agricultural history may provide a good beginning for our efforts to help alleviate consumer unease about GM foods. It may also educate scientists about the relevance of the societal context to our research.

Possible solutions

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Read the Paper below for your notes and answer the questions that follow. Hand in after lesson Biotechnology Encyclopedia of Science and Religion | 2003 | COLE-TURNER, RONALD COPYRIGHT 2003 The Gale Group Inc.

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FSBA; Edulink (EU) project

MODULE 1

BIOTECHNOLOGY:

Food Security, Agricultural

Systems and Biotechnology

END OF MODULE 1

module 1 food security, agricultural systems and biotechnology · definition and terminologies unit...

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