ABIC is an essential annual event for industry leaders, investors, policy makers, scientists, researchers and other professionals working in the area of agricultural biotechnology. ABIC provides a unique forum where the latest scientific advances in agricultural biotechnology are presented, and where future directions of the technology are highlighted and discussed. ABIC conferences inform stakeholders of advances, barriers and action options which may influence science and business endeavours on a global scale. The annual conferences provide an opportunity for international stakeholders to learn more about options, opportunities and dealing with challenges through direct exchange of information between stakeholders. The conference provides a forum for agbiotech organisations to demonstrate their capabilities and to seek investment, technology transfer and sales opportunities.

The theme for ABIC 2011 will be “Agricultural Biotechnology for Economic Development”. Agricultural Biotechnology is no longer viewed as just part of the agricultural sector. It is now recognized that agricultural biotechnology can play a significant role in economic development at the community, provincial, national and international levels.

Prof. Jennifer Thomson, Programme Committee Chairperson

ABIC 2011 will address these issues in the following ways:

• Arrange speaker sessions that allow leading International experts to exchange ideas and stimulate innovation;
• Provide informative and educational speaker sessions that highlight the benefits of an AgBio economy to the non-scientist;
• Hold forums that address key policy and risk management issues such as commercial trials;
• Provide an opportunity for AgBio companies and research organizations to meet with industry partners; and
• Bring major investors in the AgBio sector together with AgBio companies and research organizations seeking funding to develop their innovation.

Keynote speakers for the Agricultural Biotechnology International Conference include:

• Prof. Marc van Montagu: Challenges and Responsibilities for Public Sector Scientist
• Dr. Clive James: Global Perspective of Biotech/GM Crops and Future Prospects to 2015
• Prof. Lawrence Kent: Biotech Approaches to Crop Improvement for the Poor within the Grant Portfolio of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
• Prof. Quinton Johnson: Traditional Knowledge Systems and Modern Medicine
• Prof. James Dale: Bananas for the 21st Century: A Genetically Modified Future
• Dr. Florence Wambugu: The Role of Biotechnology in Contributing to Sustainable Agricultural and Economic Development, while Mitigating the Impact of Climatic Change in Africa
• Prof. Emile van Zyl: Bioenergy Potential in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Prof. Diane Hildebrand: Gate Project (Garbage-to-Energy Project)
• Prof. Rainer Fischer: Pharmaceuticals in Plants
• Dr. Jacob Mignouna: Emerging Biotechnology and Biosafety Policy Framework in Sub Saharan Africa: A Pursuit of Safety or an Embargo to Bio-innovation?
• Dr Graham Head: Managing the Risk of Resistance to Transgenic Insect-Protected Crops in Africa: Opportunities and Challenge
• Dr Jasper Rees: Genomic and Next Generation Sequencing and Genotyping    READ MORE