ENCAP

ENCAP stands for Environmentally Sound Design and Management Capacity Building for Partners and Programs in Africa. It is a program of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Africa Bureau’s Office of Sustainable Development and it "provides tools, resources, technical assistance and capacity building to USAID’s Africa Missions and partners to strengthen environmental management and environmental compliance."

ENCAP and Biotechnology
ENCAP's textbook chapter on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) offers the following on genetically modified organisms (GMOs):


 * "Genetic engineering may offer new pest management tools, particularly through the existing model of host plant resistance. Transgenic crop plants exhibiting resistance to particular plant pathogens or insect pests are under development for a wide range of crops, including several important staple crops such as rice and cassava. Use of these new varieties may allow higher yields and/or drastic cuts in pesticide use, with attendant economic, health and environmental benefits.


 * "However, potential benefits must be weighed against a range of problems. These include possible ecological impacts (e.g., harm to non-target species, creation of novel invasive weeds), lack of consumer acceptance, and uncertainties regarding access to seeds and seed saving.


 * "In addition, there is great concern among experts that some transgenic crops will rapidly select for resistance in the target pest population. A GMO technology that increases yields dramatically for several years and then collapses due to the pest evolving to overcome the crop’s genetic protection will not serve a long-term goal of reducing yield instability. Therefore, resistance management strategies appropriate to developing countries are essential to realize the potential benefits of Bt crops. One source of information and a site that rates biotech products is http://www.biotech-info.net/."

It also lists the following articles as resources:
 * Gould, F. and, M.B. Cohen. (1999). "Sustainable Use of Genetically Modified Crops in Developing Countries." Pp. 139-146 In: Agricultural Biotechnology and the Poor. G.J. Persely & M.M. Latin, eds. Proceedings of an International Conference, Washington, D.C., 21-22 October 1999.
 * Roush, RT. (1996). "225X(2004)033%5B1025%3AOFAOBO%5D2.0.CO%3B2 Can We Slow Adaptation by Pests to Insect Transgenic Crops?" In: Biotechnology and Integrated Pest Management, G.J. Persley (ed.), pp 242--263. CABI, Oxon, UK.

Core Team members
Core team members include:
 * Africa Bureau Environmental Officer: Brian Hirsch
 * Bureau Environmental Advisor: Tim Resch
 * USAID Africa Regional Environmental Advisors:
 * East and Central Africa: David Kinyua and Chris Dege
 * Southern Africa: Camilien Saint-Cyr
 * West Africa: Ron Ruybal

Contractors

 * The Cadmus Group, Inc. is the ENCAP technical lead.
 * International Resources Group (IRG) is the ENCAP prime contractor.

Contact Information

 * USAID Africa Bureau Office of Sustainable Development (USAID/AFR/SD)
 * 1300 Penn. Ave., NW; 4.06-55
 * Washington, DC 20523-4600

Related SourceWatch Articles

 * U.S. Agency for International Development
 * USAID Promotion of Agricultural Biotechnology
 * Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project (ABSP) I
 * Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project (ABSP) II
 * Program for Biosafety Systems (PBS)
 * U.S. State Department Promotion of Agricultural Biotechnology
 * U.S. Department of State Biotechnology Outreach Funds
 * GMO Policies by Country