Browse Data and Analysis

FAS Accra observes Ghana making appreciable advancements in the field of plant biotechnology (biotech). The country is expanding its agricultural biotech crops developmental and production capabilities.

Over the past two decades, India’s political landscape continues to hinder the developments in agriculture biotechnology. Bt cotton (Bacillus thuringiensis) approved in 2002 remains the sole biotech-derived crop approved for commercial cultivation.

Ghana continues to demonstrate its conviction that proven science-based advanced technologies remain viable options in the global efforts to achieve food security in the face of various production constraints like climate change.

Ghana’s National Biosafety Authority (NBA) on Friday September 15, 2023, approved the Bt cowpea event 245F (Cry2Ab) for environmental release.

India remains undecided on genetically engineered (GE) crops and products derived from biotechnology (biotech) for food and feed use.

On November 21, 2022, the Government of India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) notified its draft notification F.No. 1/Standards/GMO&F/Misc/FSSAI/2018 (November 18, 2022).

India remains undecided on genetically engineered (GE) crops, despite its regulatory authorities clearing on the environmental release of GE eggplant and mustard events. Bt cotton (Bacillus thuringiensis) remains the sole crop derived from biotechnology (biotech) approved for commercial cultivation.

Ghana’s National Biosafety Authority has eventually given the green light for the environmental release and placement on the market of the pod borer resistant (PBR) or Bt. Cowpea.

Though momentum towards environmental release of the Bt cowpea seems to have slowed down, approval remains inevitable. Dossier on Nitrogen Use Efficient (NUE) rice is ready for submission.

FAS New Delhi (Post) secured confirmation from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India that prunes from plums (Prunus domestica) are a processed food product (dried fruit), and as such are not subject to the non-Genetically Modified (GM) cum GM-Free status certificate requirement.

Effective March 1, 2021, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) requires a certificate for Non-Genetically Modified (GM) and GM-Free status for all apples, all origins being imported into the country.

On February 24, 2021, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) published a clarification of acceptable certifying authority options for compliance with its Genetically Modified...