AGRA to assess impact of GMOs in Namibia
The Agra Professional Services Division (PSD) is hosting a dinner with Monsanto, one of the leading international companies involved in Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) research on 27 June 2013 at the Hilton Hotel in Windhoek, at 18H00. The dinner will be accentuated by a presentation, panel discussion and speech, based on the theme “GMO’s, their socio-economic imp act for Namibia.”
The keynote address is expected to be delivered by John Mutorwa, Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry. A presentation by Monsanto will be delivered by Mr Andrew Bennett while the confirmed discussants on the panel are Ms Manjo Smith, Chairperson of the Namibian Organic Association; Mr Michael Gaweseb, Executive Director of Namibia Consumer Trust; Mr Christof Brock, CEO of Namibian Agronomic Board; Mr Kobus Steenekamp, Monsanto Business Lead for South Africa.
Agra has often received enquiries about the national Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) policy and was asked if it is trading with products that could contain GMO’s. It is for this reason that Agra PSD invited the USA based company Monsanto, to come and share their expertise on the subject. Monsanto has a long relationship with Agra, as they supply Agra goods such as pesticides used for agronomic and horticultural production systems. Upon Agra’s request Monsanto agreed to visit Namibia from 24-28 June 2013.
The effort to bring together experts to share knowledge falls under the Professional Services Division (PSD) to empower stakeholders in the Agricultural Industry. “Since its establishment in 2009, the PSD has been supporting and advising the environmental and agricultural community on relevant matters,” says Ms Dagmar Honsbein, GM of the Agra Professional Services Division.
Interested members of the public can book their seats with Agra Professional Services Division. The costs are N$390 per person, with only paid up bookings being eligible to participate. A total of 100 seats are available.
