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| Kampira |
By: Jones Chikazunga
Where Biotechnology is the use of biological process, organisms or systems to manufacture products intended to improve the quality of human life, the media has been encouraged to write more on the same in oder for masses to be accurately informed.
The sentiments were made on Wednesday in Blantyre during a media day organized by Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) through The National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST).
During the function, the members of the press were also taken through processes on how biotechnology products especially crops go thorough in order for the scribes to capture a real picture on what happens during every step much as the subject is concerned.
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| Dr. Sefasi (standing) during orientation |
Chief Research Services Officer for NCST Lyson Kampira said the Commission engaged the media in oder to equip them with knowledge and skills about biotechnology for effective reporting.
"[As researchers], we have had a lot of investigation in the area of agriculture biotechnology especially carrying out trials for different biotech crops, and we thought for the general public to have proper information, it is only the journalists who can do better hence the platform here," explained Kampira.
He then therefore explained biotechnology, especially in crops, is key to fighting pests and diseases and that when embraced, production will be enhanced.
During the orientation, it was also revealed three crops namely cotton, banana and cowpea are being studied, and that the former was proved effective.
Malawi started using biotechnology crops years back, and according to one of the facilitators Dr. Abel Sefasi of Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Luanar), the products have had a positive influence in [crop] production.
