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    to adopt a cross-learning and iterative approach that will enable all researchers to learn from each other across different types of bio-innovation throughout the region.

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    to enhance biological innovative capabilities, policies & institutions to support just, equitable & sustainable social & economic development in developing countries.

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Enabling bioinnovation for poverty allevation in Asia.

GM crops: still not a panacea for poor farmers

9 February 2010
Source: SciDev. Net
Author: Dominic Glover
 
GM crops have been hailed as a 'pro-poor' technology, but the reality is much more complicated, says technology researcher Dominic Glover.
 
Genetically modified (GM) crops have been celebrated by some academics, commentators and analysts as a success for poor people in the developing world, with small-scale farmers able to benefit more than most from the technology. 
  
But a closer look at the experiences of farmers reveals a more complicated picture.
It takes much more than the introduction of one or two new genes into a crop plant to transform a complex farming system. Many other technical, agro-ecological, economic and institutional factors must also be in place before poor and marginal farmers can reap the potential benefits of GM crops.
 

http://www.scidev.net/en/agriculture-and-environment/agri-biotech/opinions/gm-crops-still-not-a-panacea-for-poor-farmers.html