Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Overcoming Barriers To Trust In Agricultural Biotechnology Projects: A Case Study Of Bt Cowpea In Nigeria., Obidimma Ezezika, Abdallah S. Daar

Health Studies Publications

Background: Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, has been the world’s largest cowpea importer since 2004. The country is currently in the early phases of confined field trials for two genetically modified crops: Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cowpea and nutritionally enhanced cassava (“BioCassava Plus”). Using the bio-safety guidelines process as a backdrop, we evaluate the role of trust in the operation of the Cowpea Productivity Improvement Project, which is an international agricultural biotechnology public-private partnership (PPP) aimed at providing pest-resistant cowpea varieties to Nigerian farmers. Methods: We reviewed the published literature and collected data through direct observations and semistructured, face-to-face interviews. Data …

Building Trust In Biotechnology Crops In Light Of The Arab Spring: A Case Study Of Bt Maize In Egypt., Obidimma Ezezika, Abdallah S. Daar

Health Studies Publications

Background: The case of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) maize in Egypt presents a unique perspective on the role of trust in agricultural biotechnology (agbiotech) public-private partnerships (PPPs). This is especially relevant given the recent pro-democracy uprisings that spread throughout the Arab world that have significantly impacted the current political climate and status of both the public and private sector, and especially public-private collaborative initiatives. This case study aims to shed light on various trust-building practices adopted, and trust-related challenges faced, in the Bt maize project in Egypt. Methods: We reviewed published materials on Bt maize in Egypt and collected data through …

Unfulfilled Farmer Expectations: The Case Of The Insect Resistant Maize For Africa (Irma) Project In Kenya, Obidimma Ezezika, Justin Mabeya

Health Studies Publications

Background: Maize is the most important staple food in Kenya; any reduction in production and yield therefore often becomes a national food security concern. To address the challenge posed by the maize stem borer, the Insect Resistant Maize for Africa (IRMA) agricultural biotechnology public-private partnership (PPP) project was launched in 1999. There were, however, pre-existing concerns regarding the use of genetic engineering in crop production and skepticism about private sector involvement. The purpose of this case study was to understand the role of trust in the IRMA partnership by identifying the challenges to, and practices for, building trust in the …

Building Effective Agbiotech Partnerships Founded On Trust: A Summary Of The Challenges And Practices In Sub-Saharan Africa, Obidimma Ezezika

Health Studies Publications

The potential for improving the efficiency and success of partnerships in agricultural biotechnology is contingent on the presence of trust. As Stephen Covey (2006) asserts in his book The Speed of Trust, trust is the basis of the new global economy and is an essential element of any successful organization [1]. The presence of trust is particularly important in public-private partnerships (PPPs), in which partners with varied interests, goals, and operating principles embark on complex tasks within innovative ventures. Even more crucial is the role of trust in the success of agbiotech initiatives led by PPPs. This is cited throughout …

What Is Trust? Perspectives From Farmers And Other Experts In The Field Of Agriculture., Obidimma Ezezika, Jessica Oh

Health Studies Publications

Background

Agricultural biotechnology public-private partnerships (PPPs) have been recognized as necessary for improving agricultural productivity and increasing food production in sub-Saharan Africa. However, there are issues of public trust uniquely associated with PPPs involved in the development of genetically modified (GM) crops. Insight into how trust is understood by agbiotech stakeholders is needed to be able to promote and improve trust among actors comprising agbiotech PPPs. This study aimed to explore how stakeholders from the agricultural sector in sub-Saharan Africa understood the concept of trust in general as well as in the context of agbiotech PPPs.

Methods

Our data collection …

Strategies For Building Trust With Farmers: The Case Of Bt Maize In South Africa., Obidimma Ezezika, Robin Lennox, Abdallah S. Daar

Health Studies Publications

Background

In 1999, South Africa became the first African country to approve commercial production of subsistence genetically modified (GM) maize. The introduction of GM crop technology is often met with skepticism by stakeholders including farmers. The involvement of the private sector in this process can further breed mistrust or misperceptions. To examine these issues more closely, the objective of this case study was to understand the role of trust in the public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement involved in the development of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) maize in South Africa.

Methods

We conducted semi-structured, face-to-face interviews to obtain stakeholders’ understanding of trust in …

Harmonized Biosafety Regulations Are Key To Trust Building In Regional Agbiotech Partnerships: The Case Of The Bt Cotton Project In East Africa., Obidimma Ezezika, Justin Mabeya, Abdallah S. Daar

Health Studies Publications

Background

The Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton public-private partnership (PPP) project in East Africa was designed to gather baseline data on the effect of Bt cotton on biodiversity and the possibility of gene flow to wild cotton varieties. The results of the project are intended to be useful for Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania when applying for biosafety approvals. Using the backdrop of the different biosafety regulations in the three countries, we investigate the role of trust in the Bt cotton partnership in East Africa.

Methods

Data were collected by reviewing relevant project documents and peer-reviewed articles on Bt cotton in Tanzania, …

Building Effective Partnerships: The Role Of Trust In The Virus Resistant Cassava For Africa Project, Obidimma Ezezika, Justin Mabeya, Abdallah S. Daar

Health Studies Publications

Background: Virus Resistant Cassava for Africa (VIRCA) is an agricultural biotechnology public-private partnership (PPP) comprising the Donald Danforth Plant Sciences Center (DDPSC), National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) of Uganda and Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI). The project seeks to develop virus-resistant cassava for farmers in Kenya and Uganda. Yet, there is much public skepticism about the use of genetically modified (GM) crops and private sector involvement in Africa. This case study sought to understand the role of trust in the VIRCA partnership. Methods: We conducted semi-structured, face-to-face interviews to obtain stakeholders’ views on the challenges to, and practices for, building …