News & Events

ISU/IFPRI Enhancing Biosafety Systems in Africa and Asia
The Biosafety Institute for Genetically Modified Agricultural Products (BIGMAP) at Iowa State University recently signed an agreement with the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) to enhance biosafety systems in Africa and Asia as part of the Program for Biosafety Systems (PBS).
The three-year project, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), was designed to benefit partner countries in Africa (Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda) and Asia (Vietnam and Indonesia) that are interested in using biotechnology to promote agricultural innovation. The goal of the project is to empower the countries by fostering science-based decision making at each stage of product development and use, while strengthening capacity for the implementation of biosafety regulatory systems. Read More.
The Biosafety Institute for Genetically Modified Agricultural
Products (BIGMAP) is the first institute of its kind in the nation. BIGMAP
was established in 2004 as an independent, science-based institute to help
provide guidance to the public and policy makers on genetically modified
agricultural products. As part of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences,
the institute develops tools and methodologies to analyze the risks and benefits
of genetically modified plant and animal products and to provide strategies
for mitigating the risks to safeguard consumers and the environment.
Grant Improving Quality Seed Access in Sub-Saharan
Africa
Iowa State University seed scientists are partnering with regional and national
organizations in Malawi, Zambia and Nigeria to conduct a pilot study in Africa
on enabling better access to improved seed varieties with the help of a new
grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
The Seed Policy Enhancement in African Regions (SPEAR) project is funded
by a $1.45 million three-year grant. As part of the grant, Iowa State University
scientists will work to advance harmonization policies into actionable reality
in western and southern Africa. They will improve varietal evaluations and
timely releases of candidate seed varieties. Read
More
ISU Seed Science Center, University of Nairobi Establishing
African Seed Institute
Iowa State University seed scientists are working with the University of
Nairobi and other groups to increase food security and reduce poverty in
sub-Saharan Africa with help from a new $4.49 million grant from the Alliance
for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). Read
more.