Ethiopia pushes to commercialize agricultural biotechnology research

Ethiopia Pushes to Commercialize Agricultural Biotechnology Research

Ethiopia is seeking to strengthen collaboration between public research institutions and private businesses to accelerate the commercialization of agricultural biotechnology, following a review of research activities at the country's Bio and Emerging Technology Institute (BETIn).

Innovation and Technology Minister Frehiwot Tamru called for stronger partnerships between researchers, investors and businesses to move scientific developments beyond laboratories and into commercial use.

The call followed a review of BETIn's performance over the past five years, during which the institute reported progress in several areas, including improved maize and rice varieties, modern enset-processing technologies, Spirulina cultivation, Boran cattle genetics and poultry vaccines.

The institute also reported transferring industrial technologies and machinery to youth enterprises, commercial producers and investors.

The review further proposed establishing a National Shared Laboratory that could be accessed by research institutions across the country, potentially improving access to specialized facilities and technical resources.

BETIn Deputy Director General Hailu Dadi presented the institute's operational performance and progress against its research and technology-transfer plans.

The government says closer cooperation with the private sector could help turn research findings into products, create employment and support industrial development.

However, the commercial impact of the research will depend on whether the technologies can be produced affordably, reach farmers and businesses, and demonstrate measurable improvements in productivity or incomes.