October, 2002

The Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project II (ABSPII) focuses on the safe and effective development and commercialization of genetically modified (GM) crops as a complement to traditional and organic agricultural approaches in developing countries. The project will help boost food security, economic growth, nutrition and environmental quality in East and West Africa and in Indonesia, India, Bangladesh and the Philippines.

Funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and led by Cornell University, ABSPII is implemented by a consortium of public and private sector institutions. The consortium will develop innovative, pragmatic solutions while building on the successes of the Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project that was led for over a decade by Michigan State University.

To implement ABSPII we will:

• Conduct highly-participatory priority setting to ensure that product development is focused on real needs
• Develop 'Product Commercialization Packages', for each GM crop by geographical site, that integrate activities on technology development, policy (including intellectual property), communication, outreach and commercialization
• Create an enabling environment for regulatory and legal authorities
• Foster public-private partnerships to boost mutual incentives and self-sustained, long-term investments
• Promote improved science-based public awareness of GM crops
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of ABSPII activities

Why ABSP II?

The technologies of the first Green Revolution relied heavily on purchased inputs, and were thus adopted by relatively large-scale farmers. The advent of agricultural biotechnology facilitates further genetic improvements of the seeds and benefits for all farmers and consumers, including the resource-poor.

Further information about ABSP II will be available at http://www.absp2.cornell.edu/