PRACTICAL ACHIEVEMENTS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY

The term biotechnology was first coined by Karl Ereky in 1919. As its name indicates, it is not a single technology but a group of technologies that applied on living organism to make them productive and efficient from the previous one. If we trace the history then we find that Sumerians and Babylonians were the first who use fermentation biotechnology to make fermented liquor. They used yeast enzyme to make that liquor. At that time some people were also using crude biotechnology to make bread and cheese. As the time progressed, the applications of biotechnology to other fields expanded in the way that people started to make vinegar and wine. Later on, Pioneering work of Pasture and Robert Koch also helped in understanding the function and importance of microbes which were causing disease and spoiling the food items. Pasture demonstrated that souring of milk is caused by microbes and they are responsible for food spoilage. During the same time Robert Koch described that microorganisms are causative agents of disease in animals and humans. Later on Pasture’s and Koch’s work extended and considered as base of future work. German soldiers were also taking help from biotechnology to produce glycerol. They were using it as explosive material during 1^st World War considering the fermentation as base (1914-1918).

The application of technologies (genetical, biochemical) on living organism to make or modify the products is called biotechnology. The achievements of biotechnology are described under

Insect Resistance

The bacteria (Bacillus theurengenesis) produce defensive protein against Lepidopteron species of insects. The gene producing this protein isolated from bacteria and incorporated into crops which were susceptible to Lepidopteron species of insects. This was done with help of biotechnology.

The crops that have Bt gene are rice, maize and cotton.

Herbicide Resistance

Glyphosate is a weed killer. It does not only kill the weeds also kill the crops by disturbing their metabolic pathway. The resistance against herbicide achieved by the introduction of Glyphosate resistant EPSP synthase gene into various species of plants having economic importance. Rice, wheat, maize and soybean are the crops with herbicide resistant gene.

Resistance for fungal Pathogen

Some plants contain resistant genes against fungal pathogen. The resistant gene produces chitinase and 1, 3 glucanase proteins which degrade the cell wall of fungi and stop its growth and development. These resistant genes isolated and incorporated into susceptible varieties of plants.

Increases the nutrient level

More nutritious foods with better quality have been produced with the help of biotechnology. Genes of available nutrient level increased or foreign gene of desired nutrients inserted into the staple food of that area. In this way disease caused by the deficiency that nutrient minimized. Some examples are

·         Genetically engineered tomatoes have produced which contains increased level of nutrients such as Vit. A, Vit.C and carotenoids.

·         Genes incorporated into rice which increased the available iron level which help in the remedy of anemic patients

·         In 1992 Monsanto Company developed variety that has high content of starch. The genes of high starch content isolated from bacteria and incorporated in potato.

·         Golden rice has developed which contains high amount of Vit.A.

·         Fruits with more shelf life have been developed with the help of biotechnology.

·         The storage quality of seeds have been improved with the help of biotechnology

Tissue culture techniques

The production of plants in artificial medium under aseptic condition is called tissue culture

·         Rapid production of genetically identical individual through tissue culture techniques.

·         Varieties developed in short time through this technique as compared to conventional breeding techniques e.g salt tolerant varieties have been produced by applying different levels of salt concentration on nutrient media.

·         Virus resistant genotypes have been developed with the help of meristem culture.

·         Haploid plants have been developed with the help of tissue culture techniques. These are good source of genetic and mutation studies

·         Secondary metabolites have been produced through these techniques

·         Seed less fruits have been developed through endosperm culture e.g guava, watermelon and citrus

·         Interspecific crosses through these techniques are helpful in the production of new species and thus increase germplasm.

·         Ornamental plants with beautiful appearance and have more demand been produced through micro propagation.

·         Artificial seed produce through these techniques. It contained the genetic material of one parent in embryo.

Gigantism

The size of edible plant parts have been increased by increasing the ploidy level of  that species e.g in tomatoes, cucumber and squashes.

Delayed ripening

Tomatoes spoiled quickly when they are detached from plant because ethylene production starts. Ethylene producing genes which express them late are inserted in tomatoes. This is done with the help of transformation techniques.

Sterility induction

Male sterile genes have been transferred to those crops in which hybrid seed production is costly and requires more labor to emasculate. Male sterile genes have been transferred to the desired crop from donor crop. This is done with the help of biotechnology.

Diagnosis of plant pathogen

Early diagnosis of pathogen attack on plants is feasible with the help of ELISA, DNA probe and DNA marker. These techniques avoid us from severe loss of crops.

Wine making

Application of yeast enzyme in wine making is very old. The enzyme used in wine making convert glucose into alcohol with the production of carbon dioxide.

Synthesis of detergents

Protease enzyme widely use in the detergent industry. They degrades the stains of sweets and grasses.

Bread making

This is very old application of biotechnology. In it, fermentation progresses with the help of yeast enzymes. These enzymes convert the sugar of floor into alcohol and carbon dioxide, dough rises and CO2 trapped in bread.

Biomining

Mechanical mining techniques were costly and time consuming. The birth of biominig removed drawbacks of the old techniques. It is cheap and quick technology because genetically engineered microorganism are used for mineral extraction e.g Thiobacillus feroxidan leach out copper from mine.

Rennets in dairy industry

Animal rennets use in dairy industry for manufacture of good quality cheese.

Insulin production

Genetically engineered bacteria produce insulin protein. This protein is helpful for Diabetes mellitus patient.

Vaccine production

Vaccines stimulate the antigen to produce antibodies against pathogen and they make the immune system very strong. Plants produces vaccines with the help of biotechnology.

Gene therapy

The technique in which therapeutic gene inserted in individual to correct the disease by removing faulty gene. Viruses are mostly used as vector for those genes

Cystic fibrosis, severe combined immune deficiency syndrome and liver cancer cured with the help of biotechnology

Cell and tissue transplantation

Biotechnology proved to be helpful in treating those diseases which arises due to cell and tissue defects. These defected tissue exchange with healthy one with the help of biotechnology.

Xenotransplantaion

Transplanting of organs from one specie to another. In 1984 it was practically observe in transplanting of baboon heart into 12 year old girl

Artificial blood

Artificial blood synthesized with the help of biotechnology. It act as Hemoglobin carry and transport oxygen. It act as universal donor type. This is disease free and alternative to real blood

Screening of genetic abnormalities

Genetic abnormalities screened with the help of florescent in situ hybridization. Florescent probes helps in finding the location of genetic abnormalities on specific chromosome.

Testing for down syndrome and sex

The amniotic fluid is taken from the fetus and further it sent to lab for karyotyping. The karyotyping helps in identification of chromosome abnormalities.

Biotechnology also help us in

·         DNA fingerprinting

·         Waste water treatment and pollution control

·         Paternity dispute

·         Genetic counseling

·         Artificial insemination

·         Genes of prolificacy inserted into desired animal

·         Solid waste management

·         Production of serum albumin

·         Monoclonal antibodies

 REFERENCES

V.K. Indra and T.A thrope.2005. Plant cell and tissue culture. Springer india( pvt).Ltd. Pp : 21-37

Ratledge and Kristiansen. 2004. Basic biotechnology. Press sundicate of the university of Cambridge .the pitt building thrumpington street. Cambridge CB2 IRP, united kingdom. Pp : 255-449

 Brown D.C.W and T.A. Thrope.1995 . Crop improvement through tissue culture. World J. Microbiology and Biotech 11, 409-415

New state agriculture chief to emphasize R&D

The incoming director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture says she'd like to focus on making the state's raw agriculture products more valuable and support agriculture research and development.

Gov. Mike Pence appointed Gina Sheets to the position last week. She formerly was the agency's director of economic development and international trade.

Before joining the agency, Sheets served as economic development director and chief executive of the Clinton County Chamber of Commerce.

Sheets told the Journal & Courier of Lafayette that she's working on new ideas and keeping her eye on farm-related issues in the General Assembly.

She and her husband, Travis, own a Clinton County farm where they raise pasture poultry and beef, free range hens, rainbow trout and produce.

Sheets succeeds Joseph Kelsay, who left this month as part of the transition from Gov. Mitch Daniels' administration. Kelsay, who held the job since 2009, is joining Indianapolis-based Dow AgroSciences as senior manager of biotechnology affairs.

Original Article Here

A platform for Nebraska agriculture’s future

By Gov. Dave Heineman

The 25th Annual Governor’s Ag Conference will be held February 12-13 at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney. I invite all Nebraskans to attend this event and participate in discussions that focus on the future of the state's number one industry.

The theme for this year’s conference is “A Platform for Nebraska Agriculture’s Future.” The conference will challenge the farmers and ranchers, agribusiness representatives, and policy and business leaders in attendance to think about some of the key policies and practices that will drive agriculture in the coming decade.

Kicking off this year’s conference will be Dr. Roger Beachy, with the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis, Mo. Dr. Beachy will discuss the future of biotechnology, and how new research and policy considerations may influence opportunities for Nebraska.

There has been a great deal of discussion in Nebraska and across the nation the past few years about livestock production practices and livestock welfare in general. We will have two speakers who will address this topic – Tyson Redpath and Dr. Ronnie Green.

Tyson Redpath is with The Russell Group of Arlington, Va. He will discuss the effects of state animal welfare laws on interstate commerce. Dr. Ronnie Green, vice chancellor of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, will discuss a UNL analysis of Nebraska’s position within the United States as a food producer now, and in the future.

We’ll also hear from Jerry Hagstrom, with the Hagstrom Report. He’ll provide an analysis of current activity in Washington, D.C., that could affect Nebraska agriculture, including the status of the farm bill, results of activity related to the federal budget and overall deficit, and other federal action that may influence the future for farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses.

In addition to these policy issues, we will focus on the near-term outlook for drought in the state. Nebraska Climatologist Al Dutcher will provide an overview of what to expect. This information will be valuable to our farmers and ranchers as they work to determine what actions they can take in their operations to lessen the drought’s impact.

Agriculture is an important part of our economy and as we celebrate this 25th anniversary of the Governor’s Ag Conference I look forward to hearing from our speakers and discussing the important issues that will challenge agriculture in the months, years and decades ahead.

I encourage Nebraska’s farmers, ranchers, and agribusiness leaders to attend, as well as all Nebraskans because each one of us has a stake in the future success of this industry. Registration information is available on the Nebraska Department of Agriculture website at www.agr.ne.gov or by calling 1-800-831-0550.

Original Article HEre

Agriculture and farmers suffer as substandard seeds flood market

LAHORE – SALMAN ABDUHU - The agricultural experts have said that developing countries like Pakistan would have to adopt genetically modified/biotech crops in the shortest possible time to ensure food security for rapidly growing population, saying that the future of agriculture growth depends on biotechnology.

“The sale of illegal/substandard seeds especially Bt cotton seeds is another important issue that needs to be addressed by the government on priority basis to tap true potential of agricultural productivity in the country,” they unanimously said while speaking at extra ordinary general body meeting of Farmers Associates Pakistan (FAP), a representative body of farming community. The event was attended by a large number of farmers from different parts of the country as well as representatives of different seed companies. Media representatives were also present on the occasion.

On the occasion, corn growers urged the government to approve the genetically modified (GM) corn, which is being planted successfully across the globe, for commercial plantation in Pakistan.

The agri scientists were of the view that the sale of fake/substandard seeds was wreaking havoc on the agriculture of Pakistan and there was fear of huge decline in the production of important crops especially cash crop cotton if the government did not check the sale of fake Bt cotton seeds. “Though the mighty fake seed mafia has been playing havoc with the agriculture of the country since long but it was not before the introduction Bt cotton in Pakistan through informal channel that this mafia really got the opportunity it was looking for – to penetrate into the market and sell everything in the name of Bt cotton,” the experts said. However, this issue can be resolved gradually by developing a professional seed industry in the country, they said, adding that the role of government was critical in this regard.

Dr Iftikhar Ahmad Khan and Dr Iqrar Ahmad from Centre of Agricultural Biochemistry and Biotechnology (University of Agriculture Faisalabad) informed the audience that a study on Bt cotton seeds conducted by UAF revealed that Bt gene expression in most the Bt cotton varieties currently available in the country was very low. “According to the study, only 4 out of a total of 52 Bt cotton varieties available in the market had the standard gene expression and that’s the reason why the country was unable to fully benefit from this high-yielding technology,” they said.

In his presentation, principle scientist at National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE) Dr Aftab Bashir said food scarcity will be the biggest issue in near future because of population explosion. “Biotechnology is safe and should be fully deployed. Biotech crops are assessed for environmental, food and feed safety by regulatory authorities before being allowed to be grown or sold commercially,” Dr Aftab said.

On the occasion, National Biosafety Centre Deputy Director Afzaal Ahmad Naseem, while terming GMOs vital for food security, explained the biosafety laws and their implementation. He informed that the National Bio-safety Committee (NBC), the apex regulatory body responsible for testing and approving GM crops and organisms in the country, reviews the applications submitted by various public and private sectors organisations. He informed the audience that NBC has processed 185 cases so far, adding that NBC usually takes 2-4 years before commercialisation of these crops. The NBC is expected to decide the fate of new varieties of cotton, corn, wheat and sugarcane crops in near future, he said. He said that the government was trying to make Centre a separate department.

FAP President Dr Tariq Bucha was of the view that policy-makers in the country were real obstacle in development of agriculture in the country. He said that devolution caused much damage to the agriculture as after the passage of the 18th Constitutional Amendment everything related to agriculture had been stand still. “Nobody in the federal and provincial governments is aware of his duties and responsibilities,” he maintained.

Original Article Here

Agriculture industry stakeholders ink framework for post-patent seeds

Thomas Saidak

In Iowa, The American Seed Trade Association and the Biotechnology Industry Organization recently completed the first phase of an industry Accord to establish a framework for post-patent single trait seeds.

Chuck Larson, executive director of Americans for Choice and Competition in Agriculture said:

“After five years of tireless negotiations among ASTA, BIO and industry stakeholders, progress on the maintenance of traits after patent expiration is a significant first step to ensure American farmers are equipped with continued access to the technologies necessary to feed the world’s growing population through increased production and better nutrition in the grain trade. For the GEMMA to be effective, all trait providers must agree to it, and AgChoice encourages these industry-leading companies to sign the GEMMA and include all biotech traits as part of the Accord.

“Although this is a significant milestone for the industry, there is still much work to be done. Innovation in this market is focused on the multi-trait, or stacked, seed marketplace. Therefore, the Accord will remain incomplete until a full set of legal and regulatory systems are in place to promote choice, competition and innovation for farmers. Key to the next phase of the process is recognizing the importance of international grain trade and the maintenance of regulatory data. Establishing a robust framework for bringing post-patent multi-trait seeds into the agricultural marketplace will unleash a wave of innovation that will increase agricultural output and – ultimately – the U.S. Economy.”

Original Article Here

Nigeria: Agricultural Biotechnology Can Lead to Quantum Leap in Food Production - Dr. Abubakar Lawali

Dr. Abubakar Lawali, a Plant Breeder is with the Department of Crop Science of Faculty of Agriculture, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, UDU, Sokoto. In this interview with Abdallah el-Kurebe, he spoke on plant genetics and the place of biotechnology in the provision of food security. Excerpts:

For a Nigerian traditional farmer, how would you describe plant genetics?

Plant genetics is used in agriculture to develop new and modern improved varieties through plant breeding. The varieties could be for high yield, improved mineral and vitamin content, early maturing, etc.

How would you relate the political will of Nigerian leadership to the agricultural needs of the nation?

One can conveniently say that it is not there. However, let us wait and see, perhaps with all promises made, something may come out of it.

Recently, the Global Food Security Index of the Economist Intelligence unit ranked Nigeria 80th among 105 other countries on food insecurity. What do you see as the reason for this ugly development?

It is quite unfortunate but the reasons that Nigeria is lagging behind in the provision of food security for the citizenry include inadequate funding and infrastructure for research; lack of adequate link between research and development; funding of development, where available, is not realistic or has been politicized and as such, does not reach the target farmers.

Do you see the current Nigeria's Agricultural policy as truly addressing the problem of food crisis in the country?

Theoretically it can, but it has always been the problem of implementation. You cannot transform Agriculture when the infrastructure is not there; you cannot supply inputs through cell phones in a country where there is no power and literacy level is low.

What do you see could be the role of Agricultural Biotechnology in improving food production in Nigeria and by extension, African continent?

Agricultural Biotechnology can lead to a quantum leap in food production if utilized effectively and efficiently. However, bio-safety regulations must be respected.

Biosciences for Farming in Africa, B4FA has come into the continent with a view to creating awareness on the need for governments and farmers here to wholly adopt biotechnology in order to increase food production to meet up with the over-growing population. As a plant breeder, how would you advise the FG on this?

Government can adopt biotechnology. There is no problem with that but we must, first of all, place all the bio-safety regulations in place.

Ways for improving food production are by genetically modifying plants as well as genetically engineering crops such that would be resistant to deterring factors like pests and other plant diseases. According to your research and findings, how much of these are Nigerian farmers using?

There is practically none as of now; perhaps in the near future.

If, according to your research findings, no Nigerian farmer on the average is using genetically modified plants and genetically engineered crops, how do we start as a country?

Well you see the way to start even in the countries that have started; the first thing is to put in place, the bio-safety regulations like I said earlier. What are bio-safety regulations? These are regulations to ensure that there are no unwarranted or unwanted transfers of genetic materials to sources that they are not designed for.

If this takes place, then it may lead to the creation or development of very terrible and hazardous threat to the environment. And that is why before you start; make sure that the bio-safety regulations are being observed. To my knowledge, the bio-safety law has been passed by the National Assembly but not sure if it has been assented to by Mr. President. Even if it has been assented to, what have we put in place to ensure that these things are working? If we don't ensure that they are working and we just kick-start the project, I assure you that we will be in more trouble than we expect.

You have consistently mentioned the observance of bio-safety regulations as a precondition for Nigeria's adoption of Agricultural Biotechnology. Specifically, which of these regulation are you referring to

These are regulations as to how and where you practice; how the laboratories will function and even the farmers are going to control, polling transfer and so on. So, these things have to be worked upon by a national committee of experts. We have teeming professors out there that could help in this regard. What remains is for the government to present this document for the experts to do some work on its workability.

How would you assess government's support for research and development, especially in the area of agricultural biotechnology and the application of such research results for national development?

The basic infrastructure for biotechnology is lacking in the country as well as training and retraining. More so, funding for biotechnology research is lacking. We also need to prioritize and focus on certain key crops that will immediately solve the problem of food insecurity and for economic empowerment in order to reduce poverty; provide jobs through value addition to our crops, which in turn will attract international market.

You said there is inadequate link between research and development. Can you explain this?

When you go to the universities and check the shelves of the professors and other researchers in the universities, there are a lot of researches lying with piles of dust. In advanced countries, commercial people and those in the private sector go to the universities, get the researches and mass-produce them.

That is the name; you research and develop them. This is the link between research and development. In our country, the private sector is not so organised to do that as an economic activity.

Original Article Here

Sowing the seeds of profitable agriculture in Romania

The development of sustainable and profitable agriculture in Romania, problems with genetically modified organism (GMO) regulations in Europe and controversies over GM crops, the trade dynamics of agricultural products in Romania over the last decade and EU policies and their impact on Romania are among the most significant problems local agriculture is facing, say industry players. And these topics were duly raised and debated at the event. Currently, Romanian agriculture must undergo many changes to reach European Union levels. Although the country has no irrigation system, little storage space, a productivity level that is half the EU average, and just a fraction of European funds have been absorbed, market players are trying to see the light at the end of the tunnel. 

Achim Irimescu, secretary of state, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development 

"Sustainable agriculture is a very new concept but highlighted in the last decade. The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has focused on sustainable agriculture. As long as the farms respect EU rules, we can talk about sustainable agriculture at a local level. Large producers should be able to meet high standards. I believe that sustainable agriculture is the basis for future agricultural development." 

"The goal is to transform the European farmer into a rural entrepreneur. Romanians can align to European requirements. Also, one solution would be agronomic research to come up with revolutionary solutions to produce more with fewer resources." 

Veronica Toncea, general director, the Guarantee Fund for Rural Credit 

"Among Romanian agriculture’s advantages are that it is the only sector that has something like the Common Agricultural Policy, which means a common market, common rules and standards and a common budget, European funding sources and substantial national budgets, which are used to support agricultural production and environmental development areas." 

"Another advantage is the partnership with the banking system, given that all the sums will be distributed to beneficiaries through bank accounts." 

"The objectives of the Guarantee Fund include supporting food security and increasing the export of value-added agricultural products, in the context in which global demand is greater than the supply of such products, and some EU countries have reached their peak of productivity, plus the efficient use of natural resources and social cohesion in rural areas." 

Maria Cirja, marketing manager for Romania & Moldova at Pioneer 

"The European and Romanian farmer has to develop into an entrepreneur, and act according to business principles, if we want to develop profitable agriculture." 

"Production must grow continuously to cope with population growth, the consumption of fuel and increasing meat market demands. If the production cannot cope, marginal non-agricultural areas will be forced to become agricultural. Production must increase by 70 percent by 2050 to feed over 9 billion people." 

"We can develop through research and innovation. Sustainable agriculture is profitable long-term agriculture. Production on acreage obtained from Pioneer corn hybrids can provide animals with enough food to meet the annual average consumption of beef (2 billion people), pork (1.8 billion people) and chicken (1.4 billion people)." 

Klaus Amman, Bern University, Switzerland 

"I think we should change our focus from process to product. We should look at products because the processes change anyway. In Romania I love that farmers can talk to scientists. We are making progress and GMOs will develop in the future." 

Financing for farms 

Due to its weather conditions and higher than the average European arable area, Romania has excellent primary agricultural resources, but to achieve performance like farms in other European countries it needs major investments in upgrading and modernization, argue players. Compared with other EU members, Romania’s agricultural system is poorly financed, has major differences in unit production, a weak organization of capitalization and must fight farmers’ reluctance to join a cooperative. The Romanian agricultural sector has a high capacity to absorb new funds and to develop further and longer than any other field. The support of the European Union through grants is an advantage for those who wish to invest, without having a significant financial contribution of their own to make. The majority of financing in agriculture is done through banks, whether it takes the form of a grant, EU funds or a loan. 

In 2011, considered one of the best agricultural years since the revolution, agriculture contributed 11.3 percent to GDP growth, compared to previous years when the average contribution was 6-7 percent, and both high yields and good prices gave relief to Romanian farmers. 

Achim Irimescu, state secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Romania 

"Romania will benefit from EUR 13 billion for agriculture over 2007-2013, of which just EUR 6 billion has been accessed so far. Time is short and an acceleration of absorption is required. We have a partnership with the Guarantee Fund and the banks." 

"In Romania there are two main problems for agriculture: financing and bureaucracy. Clearly, investments in agriculture are very important and direct payments will continue to support farmers’ income." 

"It is difficult to achieve a balance between Pillar 1 and Pillar II. Romania needs both and we have supported this. For objective reasons Romania is among the countries with low direct payments. EUR 8 billion was allocated to Pillar II and EUR 5 billion to Pillar I. As long as the overall amount remains constant, GDP will not be affected. If it changes it will affect Pillar II." 

Veronica Toncea, general director, Guarantee Fund for Rural Credit 

"There is less interest in financial solutions for farmers than in 2011. Our recommendation for farmers is to take out credit in the national currency as they have revenues in RON. The maximum guarantee ceiling is 80 percent, while the maximum value of a guaranteed fund is EUR 2.5 million. There is open competition between banks to give credit for this sector. It is important to emphasize that individuals cannot obtain financing for agricultural projects unless they are authorized individuals (PFA), family associations, enterprises or other small companies. In terms of procedure, nothing has changed since 2011." 

"Current legislation allows the reduction of agricultural risk by having secured guarantees for both short-term and long-term loans. Financing agriculture and projects using European funds are among the main strategies of commercial banks (with an increase of about 10 percent in 2011). The volume of loans to companies has higher growth rates than to individuals and financing costs have dropped compared to previous years." 

"Commercial banks compete in agricultural lending and in creating new loan products adapted to agriculture, given that prices are still in line with the 2011 trend. Commercial banks have set up offices and hired staff dedicated to funding European projects." 

"The introduction of a letter of comfort has ensured that the project value takes account of the financial capacity of beneficiaries, which has reduced the risk of projects not being implemented. In terms of guarantees required by commercial banks there have been no significant changes in the percentage of coverage of guarantees of credit exposure, but due to the depreciation value of assets as collateral securities, their value is not the same." 

Dan Florian Petre, agriculture market officer, BRD-Groupe Societe Generale 

"We represent a bank that signed the first partnership with APIA in 2008, targeting financial products for agriculture. We have delivered in recent years, and we continue to deliver, financial products for farmers, to meet their need. I know that the general feeling is that banks are closely competing by launching different products in this segment, but actually their claim is limited to the safest level of financing, that of pre-financing subsidies or European funds." 

"Farmers should take note of a product that can be used all along the process and that covers their needs. For instance, we have a financial product with a maturity of 10 years and a grace period of 9 months, in order to cover the seasons of the agriculture cycle." 

Weeding out the biggest problems 

Technical challenges, lack of proper subsidies, tax evasion, lack of state help and the fragmentation of agricultural land are among the main problems dogging Romanian agriculture. Currently, of the 10 million hectares of Romanian arable land only 600,000 hectares are irrigated and the amount of fertilizer per hectare in Romania is 6-10 times lower than in the EU. In addition, there is a lack of storage space around the country. 

Laurentiu Baciu, president of the Romanian Agriculture Producers’ League (LAPAR) 

"We are currently facing the largest disaster in the last 50 years in Romanian agriculture, with production equaling the same vales as 50 years ago. Some of the causes that I can indentify are the lack of irrigation, lack of proper subsidies, tax evasion, inaction from state authorities and ministries when it comes to finding basic solutions for farmers and the fragmentation of agricultural land." 

"Currently 54 percent of Romania’s agricultural surfaces are holdings of up to 1.7 ha. The added value is obtained from the 46 percent which are productive in agriculture. We have the lowest subsidies in Europe and expect others to decide for us." 

Gheorghe Sin, professor and president of the ASAS (the Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences) 

"Given the context of several crises - financial, economic, environmental and food - plain solutions are needed from politicians. Even if agriculture has been invoked many times in rhetorical speeches, it seems that, in fact, it hasn’t attracted too much attention from the political sphere." 

"The local potential of this segment, which could feed a population two or three times the size of Romania’s, is not being used and we should analyze several aspects: the lack of efficiency of subsidies, the banks which are not acting according to partnership principles and ineffective lobbying by those in favor of GMOs." 

Dorel Benu, president of the Romanian Payment and Intervention Agency in Agriculture (APIA) 

"Our most urgent need is to find a more coherent and organized system for our dialog partners. Currently, we are in discussions, individually, with over 1 million farmers. Another downside of our work process is the lack of the cadastre for agriculture land." 

"Also, farmers are complaining that the diesel subsidy is too small." 

Veronica Toncea, general director, Guarantee Fund for Rural Credit: 

"Currently agriculture vulnerabilities include the excessive division of land plots, which has caused a high percentage of self-consumption, and the elderly farming population due to young people emigrating. In Romania farmers between 50 and 70 years old own over 2.3 million ha, meaning 24.3 percent of the total agricultural area." 

"Low profitability has caused the decapitalization of the sector and was the main factor in the stagnation of agricultural production." 

"Other problems are the lack of a land cadastre, the underdeveloped agricultural production marketing chain, lack of irrigation facilities, lack of state support for energy and water and tax evasion caused by the dual tax system (individual farmers, VAT excluded, corporate-VAT included)." 

"Another problem is the nonexistent marketing structure to integrate farmers, processors and traders in strategic alliances, with effects on produce (the diversity of producers has raised issues in providing the appropriate volume of standardized products to market requirements)." 

The future of agriculture: GMO and biotechnology? 

One of the most contention topics regarding agricultural development in Romania, and, to a wider degree, in Europe, is the cultivating of genetically modified organisms (GMO) and how this could boost the growth of this strategic industry. This year’s Romanian Agribusiness Forum, organized by The Diplomat - Bucharest in partnership with some of the most significant and biggest companies, financial institutions, state authorities decision-makers and scientists operating in this field, tried to identify the pros and cons of genetically modified crops and address the most troubling aspects of this sector. 

Achim Irimescu, state secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development 

"At European level, we sense that there is no interest in cultivating genetically modified crops. Romania is among the few countries in Europe that appears to be open to this segment. I suggest we let the scientists confirm whether or not it is safe to cultivate GMOs, rather than throw ourselves into emotional debates." 

"On the other hand, Romania imports 45 million tons of soya beans each year and I find it rather weird to fight against cultivating this locally but, in the meantime, import such an amount." 

"I don’t think that the position of the Ministry of Environment will affect the introduction of GMOs." 

Toma Dinu, PhD Professor at the University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest (USAMV Bucuresti) 

"Romania is dependent on agricultural imports. The good thing is that exports have also increased. Mostly, we exports grains, seeds and tobacco, and the numbers of imports and exports dramatically changed for instance in 2000, when GM soya started to be cultivated, and again in 2007, when GM soya was forbidden in local farming." 

"Between 2002 and 2011 Romania exported agricultural products worth a total of USD 20.2 billion. Meat production in Romania is a goal but it is limited to satisfying vegetable protein needs. In 2011 Romania imported feed and soybean cakes worth USD 340 million. Quantities imported exceed 600,000 tons (420,000 tons of soybean cake and 186,000 tons of feed, especially premixed feed). To encourage the production of meat the domestic production of vegetable protein must also be stimulated." 

"In the last decade (2002-2011) in Romania agrifood imports far exceeded exports and the accumulated deficit of the period is USD 16.7 billion of which USD 11.8 billion involved EU member states." 

Doru Pamfil, professor and president of the Commission of Biotechnology of ASAS, rector of the Agricultural University in Cluj-Napoca 

"The present century belongs to biotechnology, as, according to forecasts and scientific studies, 50 percent of the global culture production will be based on biotechnology by 2050. Worldwide food production is also expected to double by that year, in order to be able to feed the estimated global population of 9 billion." 

"Biotechnology, by definition, plans to address the issues of food security and safety issues. Even so, it seems that currently, biotechnologies are better applied in industries, especially in bio fuel, pharmaceuticals and medicine, than the food industry." 

"We should ask a question in the future: whether we want cheaper fuel or food. Currently, European regulations are pushing towards a target of 20 percent bio fuel of the total production. By 2015 more than 50 percent of global production, food, feed and feedstock will be biotechnologically processed, not necessarily GM. It is clear that for the future we must bend more to biotechnology, to establish our priorities."