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DR FLORENCE WAMBUGU (KENYA)

Friday August 26 2011

DR FLORENCE WAMBUGU (KENYA)
One of Africa’s most eminent women scientists, Dr Wambugu raises awareness on biotechnology issues,. She argues in favour of biotechnology and concludes that Africa’s food security problems can be solved with genetically modified organisms (GMOs). She is the founder, director and CEO of the Africa Harvest Biotech Foundation International (AHBFI), and has published over 100 articles and co-authored various papers. Dr Wambugu spearheaded the banana tissue culture project whose development brought together key agriculture research players and local women’s groups. The resulting cultured banana plants grow faster, have a higher yield and do not require chemical sprays. This technology is credited with changing the profile of banana growers in rural Kenya, who till recently were primarily men.

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