CIRAD launches a discussion platform for a knowledge based bio-economy

05/09/2011 - Article

A new European project, led by CIRAD, aims to start discussions on the knowledge based bio-economy between Europe and the Latin America and Caribbean region (LAC). The idea is to determine the basis for a political and institutional framework that encourages development and strengthens the knowledge based bio-economy concept in the LAC region.

The knowledge based bio-economy concerns the sectors that produce, manage and exploit biological resources, such as agriculture, food, fishing, etc. The concept is counting on the development of biotechnologies as a way of dealing with today’s major challenges: demographic growth, food security, resource depletion, climate change, energy crisis. However, the wager has not yet been won. In order to make the most of the biotechnology revolution, governments have to implement a coordinated policy, both at a national and international level. The European project ALCUE-KBBE* was set up for this purpose.

The ALCUE-KBBE was set up in June 2011 for a duration of 21/2 years. It will develop a discussion platform on the knowledge based bio-economy in the LAC region in cooperation with Europe. The platform aims to generate knowledge in order to develop strategic discussions and analyse the opportunities and limitations of the concept in the LAC region. “We will try, for example, to find out whether the knowledge based bio-economy concept is relevant to small-scale agriculture”, explains Guy Henry, the project coordinator and CIRAD economist. Another question: What political, institutional and incentive measures can ensure the safety of new technologies, as well as a fair distribution of the benefits that result from economic growth? Through the organisation of regular workshops and congresses, the platform will stimulate cooperation between Europe and the LAC region on the topics linked to bio-technologies. It will also mean that the knowledge based bio-economy concept is added to the political and strategic agendas of partner organisations in the LAC region.

A consortium of partners is responsible for operating the project, with CIRAD as the main coordinator. A broader group of stakeholders (public and private institutions that play a key role in the different aspects of setting up the knowledge based bio-economy: R&D, policy advice, defence, representation of key sectors, etc.) will participate in the platform discussions on a more occasional basis, as a function of their sector of interest and their expert field.

The consortium brings together a dozen partners from South America and Europe: Grupo CEO from Argentina, GENT University in Belgium, the Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Technologica from Portugal, CINESTAV from Mexico, Wageningen University in the Netherlands, CIAT in Colombia, the Ministry for Technological Sciences and Productive Innovation in Argentina, Embrapa in Brazil, Julich in Germany, Pontificia Javeriana University in Colombia and IICA in Uruguay.

* The full name of the project is “Towards a knowledge based bio-economy in the Latin America and Caribbean region in partnership with Europe” (KBBE).