U.S. Embassy to Host Conference on Biotechnology and Cameroon's Agriculture Sector

The U.S. Embassy will host a biotechnology conference on The Contribution of Biotechnology to the Cameroonian Agriculture Sector at 13:00 on Wednesday, September 4, 2013 at the Hilton Hotel in Yaounde.

The conference will feature Professor Hortense Dodo, a renowned biotechnology expert and researcher, as well as other respected experts who have worked in the cassava and cocoa sectors.

The panelists will share their insights on this emerging science and have an open discussion on the opportunities for biotechnology in Cameroon. U.S. Ambassador Robert P. Jackson will speak at the opening of the conference.

In 2012, the U.S. Embassy held a similar program featuring Dr. Moussa Savadogo from the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) to highlight several benefits that Cameroon could gain from utilizing biotechnology.

Dr. Savadogo has had many fruitful exchanges with government officials and industry representatives in Cameroon. This year's visit by Dr. Dodo aims to continue the dialogue on the use of this new technology with all interested stakeholders, including officials, representatives from the scientific research community, commercial agriculture, and civil society.

Cameroon currently faces a variety of food security challenges, as demand for all food items exceeds national production. The use of biotechnology can provide solutions that significantly improve agricultural production.

For additional information and details on how to register, contact Mamouda Mbemap in Yaounde at 22 20 15 00, extension 4491.