Global GM Crop Production Quiz

Questions and Answers

What are the major challenges to livestock production in Botswana?

The major challenges to livestock production in Botswana include lack of superior breeds, quality feed, drought, and animal disease prevalence.

How has foot and mouth disease affected beef export in Botswana?

The intermittent outbreaks of foot and mouth disease have affected beef export to lucrative markets in Botswana.

What are some of the challenges facing the dairy cattle industry in Botswana?

Challenges facing the dairy cattle industry in Botswana include unavailability of animal feed in both quantity and quality, as well as climatic stress for lactating cows which is mostly associated with low performance of lactating dairy cows.

What is the recent trend in the area planted with rain-fed crops by smallholders and commercial farms in Botswana?

Recent reports show that the area planted with rain-fed crops by both smallholders and commercial farms in Botswana has jumped to almost 300,000 hectares annually on 90,000 holdings. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the main areas of expertise identified in the biotechnology survey and provide examples of specific techniques or applications within each area.

The main areas of expertise identified in the biotechnology survey were crop, animal, environmental, and industrial biotechnology. Examples of specific techniques or applications within each area include molecular plant breeding and plant tissue culture/transgenic plants in crop biotechnology, molecular animal breeding and disease diagnosis in animal biotechnology, bio-fertilizer and food manufacturing applications in environmental and industrial biotechnology. Signup and view all the answers

What were the findings regarding staff proficiency in molecular and systems biology based techniques according to the survey?

The survey found that 73% of respondents were proficient in molecular biology techniques, while proficiency in systems biology was relatively low but adequate. Signup and view all the answers

What were the assessments of access to equipment and literature sources in the biotechnology field based on the survey?

The survey found that access to basic equipment for nucleic acid and protein isolation was adequate, but advanced analysis equipment and DNA sequencing systems were lacking. Additionally, access to literature sources was generally low. Signup and view all the answers

Discuss the research output and impact factor of publications in the field of biotechnology as indicated by the survey.

The research output included book chapters, journal articles, conference proceedings, and few patents. Most articles were published in low to average impact factor journals, although some research articles were co-published in high-impact international journals. Signup and view all the answers

What are the main research focuses of the Arable Research Division?

The main research focuses of the Arable Research Division are in arable and horticultural production. Signup and view all the answers

What are the responsibilities of the Botswana Vaccine Institute (BVI)?

The Botswana Vaccine Institute is responsible for genotyping foot and mouth disease virus, conducting research on the potency and safety tests of its flagship product (FMD vaccine) and others against blackleg, anthrax, and contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP), as well as virus identification and testing of diagnostic reagents. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Botswana Innovation Hub (BIH)?

The Botswana Innovation Hub is intended to be the nation’s center of excellence for innovation in biotechnology, ICT, energy/environment, and other areas. It aims to support new ventures and existing companies, universities, and research institutions to establish hubs, promoting a culture of innovation and transforming the country into a technology-driven and knowledge-based economy. Signup and view all the answers

What are the demographic characteristics of respondents involved in biotechnology research and development?

The demographic characteristics show that more males are involved in the field of biotechnology than females. The majority of respondents are in the age category of 30–44 years, and most of the staff is within the experienced and below early retirement age of 45 years. Staff members are trained up to graduate levels in relevant fields of biotechnology and those that support it. Signup and view all the answers

Which developing countries were the top five in global GM crop production in 2012?

China, India, Brazil, Argentina, and South Africa. Signup and view all the answers

What are some traits expected in next generation GM crops?

Enhanced nutrition, increased yield, nitrogen use efficiency, and stress tolerance. Signup and view all the answers

Which African countries are involved in confined field trials for various bio-fortified and tolerant GM crops?

South Africa, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Uganda, Kenya, and Nigeria. Signup and view all the answers

What are the main institutions in Botswana involved in biotechnology research and teaching?

The University of Botswana (UB), Botswana College of Agriculture (BCA), National Food Technology Research Company (NFTRC), and Department of Agricultural Research (DAR) Signup and view all the answers

What are some major rain-fed crops in Botswana?

Maize, sorghum, millet, pulses, sunflower, vegetables, and fruits. Signup and view all the answers

What are some challenges that farmers face in crop production in Botswana?

Low and unreliable rainfall, high temperatures, poor soils, and saline irrigation water. Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of genetically modified (GM) crops that have been successfully developed and commercialized?

Insect-resistant maize, cotton, canola, herbicide-tolerant soybean, cotton, maize, sugar beet, alfalfa, and virus-resistant fruits and vegetables. Signup and view all the answers

How has biotechnology been used to address challenges in agriculture in Botswana?

Biotechnology has been used to develop drought-tolerant maize, tomatoes with longer shelf life, and to mitigate the effects of biotic and abiotic factors on crop production. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

In Botswana, major rain-fed crops include cereals (maize, sorghum, millet), pulses, sunflower, and horticultural products (vegetables, fruits).
Farmers face challenges in crop production due to low and unreliable rainfall, high temperatures, poor soils, and saline irrigation water.
Biotic factors like pests and diseases are major constraints in crop production.
Biotechnology involves the use of living organisms and bioprocesses to modify crops, animals, or develop specific products.
Genetically modified (GM) crops have been developed through genetic engineering, inserting desirable traits from other organisms.
GM crops include insect-resistant and herbicide-tolerant plants, which express bacterial genes.
Successfully developed and commercialized GM crops include insect-resistant maize, cotton, canola, herbicide-tolerant soybean, cotton, maize, sugar beet, alfalfa, and virus-resistant fruits and vegetables.
Biotechnology has been used to develop drought-tolerant maize and tomatoes with longer shelf life.
Biotech crops have been adopted rapidly, with hectarage increasing from 18 million in 1996 to 170 million in 2012.
Agriculture in Botswana has faced challenges due to biotic and abiotic factors, leading to fluctuating yields.
Biotechnology is considered a potential solution to improve agricultural production and has environmental benefits, such as reduced pesticide usage and greenhouse gas emissions.
GM crops have been used to express desirable traits and have shown success in various applications, including forage improvement and animal production.
Vaccines and diagnostic tools are other applications of biotechnology in animal systems.
Biotech crops have been successful in reducing pesticide usage and greenhouse gas emissions.
The Ministry of Agriculture in Botswana has implemented strategies to mitigate the effects of biotic and abiotic factors on crop production.
Biotechnology is considered a promising technology to further improve agricultural productivity and sustainability.

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