Leaders at the Group of Eight industrialized nations' summit in Hokkaido next month need to take strong measures to promote cooperation in using biotechnology to address Africa's food challenges. At present there is resistance from Europe, and even Japan is dragging its feet on this vital issue.
Critics often argue that using modern biotechnology in African agriculture would harm farmers, wreck the environment and expose consumers to unknown risks. But by failing to adopt biotechnology, Africa puts its poor populations at greater risk of starvation. Without substantial investment in biotechnology to address critical challenges such as drought, Africa will continue to experience food deficits.
The G8 summit should encourage Africa and its partners to design new models of cooperation that involve partnerships between government, industry and academia. An example of such creative institutional arrangements is the Water Efficient Maize for Africa initiative funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Howard G. Buffett Foundation.