USDA LAUNCHES BIOTECH RESEARCH PROJECT FOR SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

                                            Release No. 0307.99

               
                                   Laura Trivers (202) 720-4623
                                         laura.trivers@usda.gov
                                        Jill Lee (202) 720-7939
                                           leejill@fas.usda.gov

USDA LAUNCHES BIOTECH RESEARCH PROJECT FOR SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

     WASHINGTON, July 27, 1999 As part of the Clinton Administration's
Partnership for Growth and Opportunity for Africa, Agriculture Secretary Dan
Glickman today launched an innovative scientific exchange program to enhance
crop biotechnology research in Sub-Saharan Africa.  This start-up project will
help reduce hunger, speed scientific progress, and help bring the benefits of
biotechnology to small-scale farmers throughout Africa and the United States. 

     The project will utilize the resources of America's 1890 colleges and
universities, one of the parties to the agreement.  The International Maize
and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) in Texcoco, Mexico, also agreed to this
new international biotechnology partnership. 

     "The scientific and technical exchanges planned for this project will
benefit both the United States and Africa," Glickman said.  "By sharing our
knowledge, we will speed research discoveries and improve Africa's food
security and agricultural production.  Agriculture accounts for two-thirds of
the jobs and a third of all economic activity in Africa.  And by helping
develop African agriculture, we also gain insights that help us support our
own farmers as well."

     USDA will provide $100,000 in start-up funds for the project, begun in
response to requests from 1890s universities for support of their research
efforts in Sub-Saharan Africa.  

     Tuskegee University, located in Tuskegee, Ala., leads the 1890s
universities' efforts, as it has established research ties with the African
National Agricultural Research Service in Kenya, Ghana, and Senegal.  Oscar
Prater, chairman of the Council of 1890 Presidents and Chancellors, signed the
memorandum on behalf of all the 1890s institutions. 

     "The combined skills of ARS, CIMMYT, the 1890s universities, and the
African institutions bring a critical mass of scientists who will provide
unique solutions to problems associated with agricultural production in
Africa,' said Glickman. "Biotechnology is one of the most important tools we
have to help us generate higher yields without straining our natural resources
and to fight hunger and malnutrition in Africa." 

     Following a needs assessment, the project will provide biotechnology
training for both African scientists and 1890s faculty at USDA laboratories or
at CIMMYT.  Cooperative research projects may be established to develop corn
and wheat varieties that mature faster, grow well with fewer chemicals, and
have enhanced nutrients.  Part of this project will be promoting an awareness
of the benefits of biotechnology for developing nations and ensuring the crops
produced this way are healthy and safe. 
     
     For more information, contact Frankie D. King, Special Trade and
Development Staff, Foreign Agricultural Service, at (202) 690-0787.

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