Abbreviations and acronyms
Biotechnology and Bio-safety
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Biotechnology and Bio-safety
Biotechnology has been used for a long time in areas such as tissue culture applications, characterization of germplasm using molecular marker techniques and in disease diagnosis. In view of the fact that people are averse by use of biotechnology since it may also come with risks, this technology needs bio-safety measures to minimize perceived risks. Biotechnology development in the country is hindered by limited public awareness on this modern technology and bio-safety issues; bio-safety regulations that do not facilitate genetic engineering; limited physical infrastructure; and inadequate trained human resources and facilities for management of biotechnology.
Production, productivity and profitability from utilization of agricultural biotechnology techniques increased.
Agricultural transformation requires an effective and productive human resource in the agricultural sector for generation and diffusion of technology. There is need for a major shift towards introduction of new generation of farmers who shall be equipped with the necessary skills to revamp agriculture. While professionalism and expertise will be taken seriously, agricultural skills and knowledge will be imparted at various levels in the education system. There exists bottlenecks that need to be addressed; these include inadequate institutional capacity and insufficient manning levels; weak research-training-extension-farmer linkages; inadequate participation of private sector in training; weak linkages between ASLMs and key educational sectors; and insufficient government financing.
Human resources in agriculture strengthened to respond to agricultural development needs.
Extension services are crucial in supporting poverty reduction in rural areas and market competitiveness for commercial agriculture in the domestic and global markets. It enables producers to realise increased production and productivity through accessibility to marketing information and other support services essential for agricultural development. The transformation of agricultural extension services is important in order to impart the right tools, knowledge and skills as well as ensuring farmers adhere to Good Agricultural Practices. However, the provision of agricultural extension services in the country is hindered by lack of strong research-extension-farmers linkage; weak supervision and insufficient manning levels; low participation of private sector in extension services delivery; lack of service delivery performance standards and regulations; poor living and working conditions of extension officers; insufficient knowledge regarding technological advancements and weak coordination of agricultural extension services.
Agricultural extension services strengthened to increase production, productivity and profitability.
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