Author : Pehu, Eija

Summary : The World Bank has been active in raising the issue of biotechnology's role in reducing poverty through international fora and conference. This has been followed up by an internal working group on agricultural biotechnology that has strived to reach consensus on key issues. One product of this effort appears in the World Bank's forthcoming "rural strategy," which contains a statement on biotechnology, supporting its safe application to enhance food security and reduce rural poverty. The World Bank envisions that biotechnology-related lending will increase. Therefore, its Rural Development Department is strengthening its capacity to assist client countries in agricultural sector development utilizing the tools of modern science.