Can agricultural biotechnology be pro-poor?

From:: Department for International Development
Published: 1 January 2003

Document Type:: Briefing
Theme:: Social Change
Authors:: Scoones, I.

Abstract

The argument for agricultural biotechnology appears, at face value, simple. Well-harnessed new technologies can solve the problems of famine and hunger in the developing world, by increasing yields and overcoming challenges of disease, pests, drought and nutrient deficiencies. The reality, of course, is that things are not so simple. A more sceptical look at the assumptions of the ‘feeding a hungry world’ storyline suggests some important questions.

Citation

Democratising Biotechnology: Genetically Modified Crops inDeveloping Countries Briefing Series. Briefing 2. Brighton, UK: Institute ofDevelopment Studies. ISBN 1 85864 487 9, 2 pp.