"Modern biotechnology holds considerable promise to meet challenges in agricultural production," Dr Ndunguru said at a public lecture on the theme, "Agricultural Biotechnology: Translating 'science' into food and cash for the poor" held at Nkrumah Hall, University of Dar es Salaam last Thursday.
An experienced and internationally acclaimed molecular plant virologist, Dr Ndunguru also encouraged young graduates and aspiring researchers to embrace agricultural biotech, a brave new world for those ready to probe the country's rich plant kingdom. Tanzania stands to gain a great deal from scientific research.
One area that the country could tap into is in the interesting field of nanotechnology. It is discouraging to learn that Tanzania might be losing its genetic wealth to other countries due to lack of research capacity. At a public lecture jointly organised by the university's College of Natural and Applied Sciences and of the Open Forum for Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB -- Tanzania chapter) currently housed at the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH), Dr Ndunguru said agricultural biotechnology was key to a 'food-secure' Africa, he added and encouraged science graduates to join the fight against crop diseases.
Dr Ndunguru pioneering work on cassava has tremendous impact on a crop which still suffers massive losses from virus attacks, notably cassava mosaic viral disease. Last year, he led a team of African scientists applying biotechnology technique discovered two novel DNA strains that are associated with cassava mosaic and cassava brown streak diseases, both known to cost Africa between $1.9 and $2.7 billion annually - in itself an opportunity "for translating science into food and cash for the poor African farmers;" he argued.
Agricultural biotechnology was key to a 'food-secure' Africa, he added and encouraged science graduates to join the fight against crop diseases, saying: "We have the capacity to train ... we're currently working with Masters and PhD students ... cutting edge science is possible in Tanzania " he said.
Source: allAfrica.com
