Rwanda should formulate bio safety policies tailored to its experience, and not basing on other countries. Christine Gasingirwa, the Director General for Science, Technology and Research, in the Ministry of Education, noted that the country needs evidence based policies that are backed by knowledge of the country.
Rwanda should formulate bio safety policies tailored to its experience, and not basing on other countries.
Christine Gasingirwa, the Director General for Science, Technology and Research, in the Ministry of Education, noted that the country needs evidence based policies that are backed by knowledge of the country.
Gasingirwa made the remarks during a three-day bio-diversity meeting involving scientists, lawyers and policymakers from over 15 countries.
The meeting, which is organized by Rwanda Centre of Science Technology and Research in collaboration with International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), will enable participants to share experiences on bio safety.
Gasingirwa said that through the meeting, participants will develop capacity in bio-safety thus enabling them to train others and to be able to formulate bio safety policies suitable for Rwanda.
"We have the capacity in our higher learning institutions, however, we also need to train, the grass root population, especially those involved in farming,” she said.
"They need to be educated so they know the need for bio safety and biotechnology.”
Gasingirwa called for the need to use biotechnology to develop crops that can withstand drought since most of our crops depend on rain.
maria.kaitesi@newtimes.rw