Calestous Juma - Committee on Agriculture | Committee on Agriculture

328 Pages·2011·1.15 MB·English

by  Calestous Juma

AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
Benefits, Opportunities and Leadership

Calestous Juma, PhD
Professor of the Practice of International Development
Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard University

Testimony to the
US House of Representatives
Committee on Agriculture
Subcommittee on Rural Development, Research, Biotechnology and Foreign Agriculture

Washington, DC

June 23, 2011
Introduction1
Writing exactly 130 years ago, Robert Louis Stevenson acknowledged in A Plea for Gas Lamps that “Cities given,
the problem was to light them.” Then he proceeded with his indictment of electricity saying the “urban star now
shines out nightly, horrible, unearthly, obnoxious to the human eye; a lamp for a nightmare! Such a light as this
should shine only on murders and public crime, or along the corridors of lunatic asylums, a horror to heighten
horror.” Today we acknowledge that given growing human numbers, the problem is to feed them. However, we
also cast dark shadowed over the prospects of using biotechnology to address the global food crisis.

The United States has been a leading light in agricultural biotechnology as a platform technology and continues to
serve as an important role model for countries around the seeking to address global food challenges. A key source
of this leadership has been its commitment to using a science-led regulatory system for determining the approval
of new products. The rest of the world needs this demonstrated leadership now more than ever given rising food
prices and related political unrests around the world. Failure on the part of the United States to champion
agricultural biotechnology will undermine confidence in the ability of the global community to confront the
challenges of food security. Retracting from using science and technology to address emerging challenges will not
result in any savings; it will only defer problems and future costs are likely to be higher.

In the 1970s skeptics argued that new technologies were generally more expensive, less reliable, more
complicated, controlled by corporate monopolies and therefore inaccessible to the poor. They went further and
claimed that a “technology divide” would emerge between industrialized and developing countries. This
ideological framing was applied to emerging information and telecommunications technologies and the word
“digital divide” became a template for international debates on innovation, human rights and the quest for
prosperity.

In effect, the skeptics sought to slow down the adoption of new technologies in developing countries and
advocated the use of what they called “appropriate technology”. They sought to freeze technology in time and by
doing so they also compromised improvements in human welfare and the spread of prosperity. Some international
organizations advocated policies aimed at curbing the introduction of microelectronics in developing countries
with the objective of protecting workers against labor displacement.

Reality has turned out to be different. Information and communications technologies are now a key source of
economic productivity and a platform for socio-economic transformation worldwide. Many African countries, for
example, have been able to “leapfrog” into the modern information age through the mobile phone and the stage is
now set for a move into mobile broadband that will see many rural areas move to transform education, health,
governance and many aspects of socio-economic life. The spread of this technology has been possible because of
the sovereign leaders provided by a few countries to reforming their national policies to create space for mobile
technologies.

BENEFITS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

Biotechnology—technology applied to biological systems—has the promise of leading to increased food security
and sustainable forestry practices, as well as improving health in developing countries by enhancing food nutrition.
In agriculture, biotechnology has enabled the genetic alteration of crops, improved soil productivity, and enhanced
weed and pest control. Unfortunately, such potential has largely been left untapped by African countries.

In addition to increased crop productivity, biotechnology has the potential to create more nutritious crops. An
example of this is rice engineered to provide additional vitamin A whose deficiency affects about 250 million
children worldwide. Other vitamins, minerals, and amino acids are necessary to maintain healthy bodies, and a

1. This testimony is derived from Juma, C. The New Harvest: Agricultural Innovation in Africa. New York: Oxford University Press,
2011. A full digital copy of this study is made available as an optional annex to this testimony.
deficiency will lead to infections, complications during pregnancy and childbirth, and impaired child development.
Biotechnology has the potential to improve the nutritional value of crops, leading both to lower health care costs
and higher economic performance (due to improved worker health).

Skeptics have sought over the last 20 years to slow down the application of agricultural biotechnology.
International collaboration on biotechnology for African agriculture has also been uncertain. But the tide is turning.
For example, a recent study prepared by the European Commission, A Decade of EU-Funded GMO Research (2001-
2010), concluded:

“Biotechnologies could provide us with useful tools in sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, food production
and industry. Crop production will have to cope with rapidly increasing demand while ensuring
environmental sustainability. Preservation of natural resources and the need to support the livelihoods of
farmers and rural populations around the world are major concerns. In order to achieve the best solutions,
we must consider all the alternatives for addressing these challenges using independent and scientifically
sound methods. These alternatives include genetically modified organisms (GMO) and their potential use.”

The study drew its conclusions from the work of more than 130 research projects, covering a period of more than
25 years of research involving more than 500 independent research groups. Its most important conclusion was
“that biotechnology, and in particular GMOs, are not per se more risky than e.g. conventional plant breeding
technologies. Another very important conclusion is that today’s biotechnological research and applications are
much more diverse than they were 25 years ago...” The conclusions are similar to those reached by the United
States National Academies and reinforce the science-based practices that inform the work of Unites States
regulatory agencies.

The promise of the technology and evidence of its contributions to rural development around the world is serving
as a source of inspiration for emerging nations to complement existing practices with agricultural biotechnology.
Three African countries (South Africa, Egypt and Burkina Faso) have adopted genetically modified crops and are
providing initial evidence of their long-term implications. The scientific and technical community is being embolden
by these developments and are is working with their governments to explore ways to build up the much needed
capacity in these fields. Other African countries have started conducting field trials and plan to adopt
biotechnology crops in the coming years.

The uptake of genetically modified (GM) crops is the fastest adoption rate of any crop technology, increasing from
1.7 million hectares in 1996 to 148 million hectares in 2010, and an 87-fold increase over the period. In 2010, there
were 15.4 million farmers growing GM crops in 29 countries around the world, of whom over 90% were small and
resource-poor farmers from developing countries. Most of the benefits to such farmers have come from cotton.
For example, over the 2002–09 period, the insect resistant Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton added US$7 billion
worth of value to Indian farmers, cut insecticide use by half, helped to double yield and turned the country from a
cotton importer into a major exporter.

Africa is steadily joining the biotechnology revolution. South Africa’s GM crop production stood at 2.0 million
hectares in 2010. Burkina Faso grew 260,000 hectares of Bt cotton the same year, up from 115,000 in 2009. This
was the fastest adoption rate of a GM crop in the world that year. In 2010, Egypt planted nearly 2,000 hectares of
Bt maize, an increase of 100% over 2009.

African countries, by virtue of being latecomers, have had the advantage of using second-generation GM seed.
Akin to the case of mobile phones, African farmers can take advantage of technological leapfrogging to reap high
returns from transgenic crops while reducing the use of chemicals. In 2010 Kenya and Tanzania announced plans
to start growing GM cotton in view of the anticipated benefits of second-generation GM cotton. The door is now
open for revolutionary adoption of biotechnology that will extend to other crops as technological familiarity and
economic benefits spread.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTERNATIONAL BIOTECHNOLOGY COOPERATION

The United States has been an important leader in promoting plant biotechnology. It is for this reason that African
countries are starting to adopt GM crops. But their nutritional requirements are not limited to crops. Another
important area of interest to Africa is protein derived from livestock and fish. Advances in genomics provide tools
that can help countries to farm breeds that confer health benefits to the population and help address emerging
challenges such as obesity. But little of this will happen without the kind of sovereign leadership that the United
States has been providing on science-based regulatory approaches.

One of the most sustainable forms of meat protein to farm is fish. For every pound of meat produced, fish
consume less than 15% of the feed required by land animals such as cattle. Farmed fish are a staple not just for
industrialized countries, but even more so for emerging nations of the world. Aquaculture is emerging as an
important substitute for wild fish whose stocks are being depleted at an alarming rate.

The role of biotechnology in aquaculture represents one of the key tools that could enable humanity to expand
protein production in a sustainable way. The United States needs follow its own lead in agriculture and provide
regulatory support to sustainable aquaculture. I understand this House passed an amendment to the Agriculture
Appropriations Bill that would effectively prevent the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from completing its
safety assessment of the first food fish that makes use of this technology, an Atlantic salmon that reaches full size
rapidly and consumes less feed than other fish of its kind.

It is not this particular fish that is at stake. It is the principle behind the amendment and its wider ramifications. It
sends the message to the rest of the world that the science-based regulatory oversight as embodied in the FDA
review process is subject to political intervention. Furthermore, it signals to the world that the United States may
cede its leadership position in the agricultural use of biotechnology. Biotechnology is vital to feeding the world in
the present and even more so in future, and I believe it is imperative that the United States stay the course it has
set in not letting politics interfered with its science-based regulatory system that is truly the envy of the world.

The changing outlook was recently demonstrated by the outcomes of the “International Conference on
Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa: Fostering Innovation” held on May 13- 14 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It stressed
the urgency to build capacity in Africa to enable the conference facilitate the application of biotechnology in
agriculture (covering crops, fisheries, livestock and conservation of biological diversity). The conference also
underscored the importance of pursuing biotechnology in a safe and sustainable manner in keeping with enabling
biosafety laws.

Events like this demonstrate the growing commitment and interest among African countries to contribute to global
efforts to address food security. The impact of their dedication will be limited unless they are able to benefit from
the prior knowledge and expertise accumulated in other countries. This is where the United States can serve as a
role model in the use of biotechnology in agricultural transformation and science-based approaches in regulation.
It is only by helping countries around the world to adopt modern biotechnology can we hope for a brighter
agricultural future. America’s leadership in this field can help humanity avoid being seduced by the dim light of
technological stagnation.
BIOGRAPHICAL SUMMARY

Calestous Juma is Professor of the Practice of International Development and Director of the Science, Technology, and
Globalization Project at Harvard Kennedy School. He focuses on the role of science and innovation in development. Juma also
directs the School’s Agricultural Innovation in Africa Project funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The report of the
project, New Harvest: Agricultural Innovation in Africa, was published in 2011 by Oxford University Press. He is a former
Executive Secretary of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and founding Executive Director of the African Centre for
Technology Studies in Nairobi. He was Chancellor of the University of Guyana; member of the National Social and Economic
Council of the President of Kenya; Special Advisor to the International Whaling Commission; and co-chaired the African High-
Level Panel on Modern Biotechnology of the African Union and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). He has
been elected to several scientific academies including the Royal Society of London, the US National Academy of Sciences, the
Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS), the UK Royal Academy of Engineering and the African Academy of
Sciences. He serves on the boards of WWF International, One Laptop per Child Foundation (OLPC), London International
Development Centre, and Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard Kennedy School. Juma holds a DPhil in
science and technology policy studies from the University of Sussex (UK) and has received several international awards and
honorary degrees for his work on sustainable development. His latest publications include The New Harvest: Agricultural
Innovation in Africa; Going for Growth: Science, Technology and Innovation in Africa; Innovation: Applying Knowledge in
Development; Freedom to Innovate: Biotechnology in Africa’s Development.; and Engineering Change: Towards a Sustainable
Future in the Developing World. He is editor of the peer-reviewed International Journal of Technology and Globalisation and the
International Journal of Biotechnology. He teaches graduate courses on “Innovation, Development and Globalization” and
“Technology and Sustainability” and an undergraduate seminar on “Biotechnology, Sustainability and Public Policy”.
CALESTOUS JUMA

Curriculum Vitae

June 2011

Office Address:
Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard University
79 John F. Kennedy Street
Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
Direct: 1 617 496-8127
Fax [phone]

Home Address:
363 Concord Avenue
Cambridge, MA 01238 USA
Home: 617 868-7313
Mobile: [phone]
http://www.belfercenter.org/global/
www.facebook.com/calestous
www.twitter.com/calestous

[email protected]
[email protected]
Contents

1. Biographical summary
2. Education
3. Awards and honors
4. Scientific academies and societies
5. Academic guidance
6. Research interests and current activities
7. Special lectures
8. Employment
9. Consultancies
10. Special assignments
11. Other professional activities
12. Selected publications
13. Citation
13. Personal information
1. Biographical Summary

Calestous Juma is internally-recognized for his work on the role of science and innovation in
economic development. He is Professor of the Practice of International Development and
Director of the Science, Technology, and Globalization Project at Harvard Kennedy School.
He also directs the School’s Agricultural Innovation in Africa Project funded by the Bill and
Melinda Gates Foundation. The report of the project, New Harvest: Agricultural Innovation in
Africa, was published in 2011 by Oxford University Press. He is a former Executive Secretary
of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and founding Executive Director of the African
Centre for Technology Studies in Nairobi. He was Chancellor of the University of Guyana;
member of the National Social and Economic Council of the President of Kenya; Special
Advisor to the International Whaling Commission; and co-chaired the African High-Level
Panel on Modern Biotechnology of the African Union and the New Partnership for Africa’s
Development (NEPAD). He has been elected to several scientific academies including the
Royal Society of London, the US National Academy of Sciences, the Academy of Sciences for
the Developing World (TWAS), the UK Royal Academy of Engineering and the African
Academy of Sciences. He serves on the boards of WWF International, One Laptop per Child
Foundation (OLPC), London International Development Centre, and Belfer Center for Science
and International Affairs at Harvard Kennedy School. Juma holds a DPhil in science and
technology policy studies from the University of Sussex (UK) and has received several
international awards and honorary degrees for his work on sustainable development. His latest
publications include The New Harvest: Agricultural Innovation in Africa; Going for Growth:
Science, Technology and Innovation in Africa; Innovation: Applying Knowledge in
Development; Freedom to Innovate: Biotechnology in Africa’s Development.; and
Engineering Change: Towards a Sustainable Future in the Developing World. He is editor of
the peer-reviewed International Journal of Technology and Globalisation and the
International Journal of Biotechnology. He teaches graduate courses on “Innovation,
Development and Globalization” and “Technology and Sustainability” and an undergraduate
seminar on “Biotechnology, Sustainability and Public Policy”.

Office Address:
Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard University
Box 53
79 John F. Kennedy Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
Direct: 1 617 496-8127
Fax: [phone]

Home Address:
363 Concord Avenue
Cambridge, MA 01238 USA
Home: 1 617 868-7313
US Mobile: [phone]
Kenya Mobile: [phone]

[email protected] [email protected]
www.belfercenter.org/global | www.facebook.com/calestous | www.twitter.com/calestous
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2. Education

1983–87: Science Policy Research Unit, University of Sussex; DPhil. (Science and Technology
Policy Studies).
1982–83: Science Policy Research Unit, University of Sussex; MSc. (Science, Technology and
Industrialization).
1972–74: Egoji Teachers’ College; Teachers’ Certificate.

3. Awards and honors

2007: Doctor of Science (Honorary), University of Education, Winneba, Ghana (“illustrious and
inspiring role as an internationally-recognized authority and leader in the application of
science and technology to sustainable development in both developing and developed
countries).
2006: Doctor of Science (Honorary), University of Sussex, UK (for his work on the applications of
science and technology in developing and developed countries).
2006: Order of the Elder of the Burning Spear, President of the Republic of Kenya (for being a
respected international diplomatic who has assisted governments to solve diplomatic
problems).
2001: Henry Shaw Medal, Missouri Botanical Garden (for significant contribution to botanical
research, horticulture, conservation or the museum community).
1993: Global 500 Roll of Honour for Environmental Achievement, United Nations Environment
Programme (for important contributions made to Africa’s quest for solutions to the complex
issues of biotechnology, biodiversity and the transfer of technology).
1992: Justinian Rweyemamu Prize, Council for the Development of Social Science Research in
Africa (CODESRIA) (for broadening Africa’s knowledge base for development).
1991: Pew Scholars Award in Conservation and the Environment (for dedication in preserving
global biodiversity).

4. Scientific academies and societies

Fellow, Royal Society of London
Foreign Associate, US National Academy of Sciences
Fellow, Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS)
Honorary Fellow, Royal Academy of Engineering, London
Fellow, African Academy of Sciences, Nairobi
Fellow, World Academy of Art and Science, USA
Fellow, Royal Society for the Advancement of the Arts, Manufactures and Commerce
Fellow, New York Academy of Sciences
Member, American Association for the Advancement of Science
Member, Kenya National Academy of Sciences

5. Academic guidance

Provided academic guidance to post-graduate students at various universities in fields of science
policy, energy development and diplomacy. Trained policy makers from various developed and
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developing countries. Guided and supervised undergraduate and post-graduate interns from local and
overseas universities.

6. Research interests and current activities

Evolutionary and systems theory of technological innovation; science and technology policy studies
with emphasis on the role of innovation in economic transformation; institutional change;
biotechnology and biological diversity; international diplomacy. Current work focuses on two topics:
application of innovation systems thinking to African agriculture; application of the theory of
technological leapfrogging to green development in Africa.

7. Special lectures

2010. Agricultural Innovation in Africa: Technology, Markets, and Government. Philip Raup Lecture
on Land and Environmental Policy, University of Minnesota, USA.

2010. Science, Technology and Innovation for Development. Keynote Speech Presented to Summit of
the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, Swaziland.

2010. Fostering Agricultural Innovation in Africa: Strategies for a Changing Global Environment.
Keynote at the Africa Agriculture Week, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faro.

2009. Rebooting Economic Growth in Developing Countries: Entrepreneurship in the Age of
Technological Abundance. Keynote at the Innovation Week, College of Engineering, University of
California, Santa Barbara.

2009. Africa in the Age of Technological Interdependence: Opportunities and Challenges for
International Cooperation. John de la Mothe Memorial Lecture, University of Ottawa, Canada.

2009. Science and Innovation for Sustainability: Harnessing Technological Abundance. Betty
Klepper Endowed Lecture, International Annual Meeting of the Crop Science Society of America,
Pittsburgh, USA.

2009. Rebooting Development: Innovation Policy in the Age of Technological Abundance. Marie
Jahoda Memorial Lecture, University of Sussex, UK.

2009. Security and Development in Africa: Safeguarding Prosperity in a Turbulent World Policy.
Commander’s Speaker Series, United States Africa Command, Stuttgart, Germany.

2007. The New Culture of Innovation: Africa in the Age of Technological Opportunities. 8th Summit of
the African Union, Addis Ababa.

2006. Redesigning African Economies: The Role of Engineering in International Development. 2006
Hinton Lecture, Royal Academy of Engineering, London.

2006. Reinventing Growth: Technological Innovation and Economic Renewal in Africa. African
Development Bank, Tunis.

2006. Reinventing African Economies: Technological Innovation and the Sustainability Transition.
6th John Pesek Colloquium on Sustainable Agriculture, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA.
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