Browse Data and Analysis

FAS Accra observes Ghana making appreciable advancements in the field of plant biotechnology (biotech). The country is expanding its agricultural biotech crops developmental and production capabilities.

Colombia’s agricultural industry widely utilizes innovative biotechnologies, and its regulatory environment remains open genetically engineered (GE) derived commodities. However, congressional anti-biotechnology initiatives continue to risk undoing decades of scientific advancement, undermining biotechnology development and potentially impacting agricultural trade.

Ghana continues to demonstrate its conviction that proven science-based advanced technologies remain viable options in the global efforts to achieve food security in the face of various production constraints like climate change.

Ghana’s National Biosafety Authority (NBA) on Friday September 15, 2023, approved the Bt cowpea event 245F (Cry2Ab) for environmental release.

While Colombia´s regulatory environment remains friendly toward the adoption of biotechnology-derived crops and products, congressional anti-biotechnology initiatives pose a threat to further acceptance, and risk undermining future investments to benefit consumers and the agricultural sector.

The impacts of climate change are beginning to manifest on the entire globe and particularly on developing countries like Ghana. The country is vulnerable to rising sea levels, droughts, increasing temperatures and erratic rainfall which adversely impacts infrastructure, hydropower production, food security and coastal and agricultural livelihoods.

While Colombia's regulatory environment remains friendly toward the adoption of biotech-derived commodities and other innovative technologies, Congressional anti-biotechnology initiatives continue posing a threat, risking the benefits to consumers and the agricultural sector. In 2021, genetically engineered corn area planted grew 31 percent, reaching record figures, and genetically engineered cotton area planted recovered 55 percent compared to 2020.

Ghana’s National Biosafety Authority has eventually given the green light for the environmental release and placement on the market of the pod borer resistant (PBR) or Bt. Cowpea.

Ghana's National Biosafety Authority approved the release of the GE crop BT Cowpea into the environment and market, marking the first GE crop to be approved for use in Ghana. The approval lasts for ten years and is renewable.

Though momentum towards environmental release of the Bt cowpea seems to have slowed down, approval remains inevitable. Dossier on Nitrogen Use Efficient (NUE) rice is ready for submission.

Colombia remains open to biotechnology and other innovative technologies. In 2020, Colombia's GE corn acreage grew 23 percent while GE cotton acreage declined 37 percent.

Colombia remains open to the adoption of biotech-derived commodities and innovative technologies.