PlantGENE report on panel discussion: advancing plant biotechnology in Africa

This report provides an overview of the content and data collected from the “Successes, Challenges, and Opportunities Plant Transformation Research in Africa” panel discussion. Organized by PlantGENE, this event brought together scientists and stakeholders across the globe to examine the complex cha...

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Main Authors: Malzahn, A.A., Songstad, N., Tripathi, L., Okwuonu, I., Sithole-Niang, I., Runo, S., Wagaba, H., Houassi, M., Kaeppler, H., Gordon-Kamm, W., Lee, K., Parrott, W., Taylor, N., Rogers, C., Gaffney, J., Van Eck, J., Veena, V.
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: 2025
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/173590
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author Malzahn, A.A.
Songstad, N.
Tripathi, L.
Okwuonu, I.
Sithole-Niang, I.
Runo, S.
Wagaba, H.
Houassi, M.
Kaeppler, H.
Gordon-Kamm, W.
Lee, K.
Parrott, W.
Taylor, N.
Rogers, C.
Gaffney, J.
Van Eck, J.
Veena, V.
author_browse Gaffney, J.
Gordon-Kamm, W.
Houassi, M.
Kaeppler, H.
Lee, K.
Malzahn, A.A.
Okwuonu, I.
Parrott, W.
Rogers, C.
Runo, S.
Sithole-Niang, I.
Songstad, N.
Taylor, N.
Tripathi, L.
Van Eck, J.
Veena, V.
Wagaba, H.
author_facet Malzahn, A.A.
Songstad, N.
Tripathi, L.
Okwuonu, I.
Sithole-Niang, I.
Runo, S.
Wagaba, H.
Houassi, M.
Kaeppler, H.
Gordon-Kamm, W.
Lee, K.
Parrott, W.
Taylor, N.
Rogers, C.
Gaffney, J.
Van Eck, J.
Veena, V.
author_sort Malzahn, A.A.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description This report provides an overview of the content and data collected from the “Successes, Challenges, and Opportunities Plant Transformation Research in Africa” panel discussion. Organized by PlantGENE, this event brought together scientists and stakeholders across the globe to examine the complex challenges and emerging opportunities in plant transformation research in laboratories across Africa. The discussion, rooted in insights from a panel of six leading scientists, highlights critical issues including restrictive regulatory environments, prohibitive costs, and the inconsistent availability of essential research materials. Additionally, the pervasive “brain drain” phenomenon, where skilled researchers leave the continent for better opportunities, exacerbates the difficulties faced by African scientists. Despite these challenges, the report also identifies significant advancements, particularly in the growing recognition of African leadership within universities and national agricultural research systems (NARS). These institutions, supported by highly skilled faculty and motivated graduate students, are producing high-quality research that contributes to global scientific knowledge. The panelists emphasized the necessity of creating an environment that encourages African scientists to remain on the continent and address local challenges through innovative research. Strengthening intra-African networks and fostering collaborations with the global scientific community are proposed as essential strategies to achieve this. This report underscores the critical need for substantial investments from both global and African organizations, working with African governments, to support these efforts. Furthermore, it calls for science-based decision-making and fair regulatory frameworks to align with unique opportunities and risks associated with technological advancements in Africa. This paper details the observations of six panelists and analyzes the results of attendee surveys in order to document these challenges and opportunities while advocating for sustained investment and strategic partnerships to build a thriving bioeconomy across Africa.
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spelling CGSpace1735902025-12-08T09:54:28Z PlantGENE report on panel discussion: advancing plant biotechnology in Africa Malzahn, A.A. Songstad, N. Tripathi, L. Okwuonu, I. Sithole-Niang, I. Runo, S. Wagaba, H. Houassi, M. Kaeppler, H. Gordon-Kamm, W. Lee, K. Parrott, W. Taylor, N. Rogers, C. Gaffney, J. Van Eck, J. Veena, V. plant biotechnology transformation africa This report provides an overview of the content and data collected from the “Successes, Challenges, and Opportunities Plant Transformation Research in Africa” panel discussion. Organized by PlantGENE, this event brought together scientists and stakeholders across the globe to examine the complex challenges and emerging opportunities in plant transformation research in laboratories across Africa. The discussion, rooted in insights from a panel of six leading scientists, highlights critical issues including restrictive regulatory environments, prohibitive costs, and the inconsistent availability of essential research materials. Additionally, the pervasive “brain drain” phenomenon, where skilled researchers leave the continent for better opportunities, exacerbates the difficulties faced by African scientists. Despite these challenges, the report also identifies significant advancements, particularly in the growing recognition of African leadership within universities and national agricultural research systems (NARS). These institutions, supported by highly skilled faculty and motivated graduate students, are producing high-quality research that contributes to global scientific knowledge. The panelists emphasized the necessity of creating an environment that encourages African scientists to remain on the continent and address local challenges through innovative research. Strengthening intra-African networks and fostering collaborations with the global scientific community are proposed as essential strategies to achieve this. This report underscores the critical need for substantial investments from both global and African organizations, working with African governments, to support these efforts. Furthermore, it calls for science-based decision-making and fair regulatory frameworks to align with unique opportunities and risks associated with technological advancements in Africa. This paper details the observations of six panelists and analyzes the results of attendee surveys in order to document these challenges and opportunities while advocating for sustained investment and strategic partnerships to build a thriving bioeconomy across Africa. 2025-06 2025-03-12T11:04:47Z 2025-03-12T11:04:47Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/173590 en Open Access application/pdf Malzahn, A.A., Songstad, N., Tripathi, L., Okwuonu, I., Sithole-Niang, I., Runo, S., ... & Veena, V. (2025). PlantGENE report on panel discussion: advancing plant biotechnology in Africa. In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology-Plant, 1-10.
spellingShingle plant biotechnology
transformation
africa
Malzahn, A.A.
Songstad, N.
Tripathi, L.
Okwuonu, I.
Sithole-Niang, I.
Runo, S.
Wagaba, H.
Houassi, M.
Kaeppler, H.
Gordon-Kamm, W.
Lee, K.
Parrott, W.
Taylor, N.
Rogers, C.
Gaffney, J.
Van Eck, J.
Veena, V.
PlantGENE report on panel discussion: advancing plant biotechnology in Africa
title PlantGENE report on panel discussion: advancing plant biotechnology in Africa
title_full PlantGENE report on panel discussion: advancing plant biotechnology in Africa
title_fullStr PlantGENE report on panel discussion: advancing plant biotechnology in Africa
title_full_unstemmed PlantGENE report on panel discussion: advancing plant biotechnology in Africa
title_short PlantGENE report on panel discussion: advancing plant biotechnology in Africa
title_sort plantgene report on panel discussion advancing plant biotechnology in africa
topic plant biotechnology
transformation
africa
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/173590
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