Plenty of interesting and exciting biotech stories this week! Highlights include the construction of a new downloadable, searchable plant protein database, built by the RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, which will help scientists identify the functions of more plant genes.

Meanwhile, the newly developed method of “field pathogenomics”, promises to track yellow rust fungus, deadly to wheat; and researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have discovered the genetic roots of resistance to the wheat disease stem rust. Researchers in Germany have also shown that potato plants can be protected from pesticide-resistant potato beetles using RNA interference.

In Africa, the Nigerian senate recently passed the Biosafety bill, which is to provide for the establishment of a National Biosafety Management Agency. If the bill is also passed by the House of Representatives and the Nigerian president, Nigeria will develop a regulatory framework and safety measures for biotech. B4FA Fellow Kenneth Azahan analyzes how this new development will affect Nigerian agriculture. We also hear from Michael Ssali about the benefits of rotating grazing animals in order to replenish grass, as well as from Noah Nash, whose reports that USAID constructed a seed laboratory for Ghana’s northern region.

We hope you enjoy this week’s issue. As ever, please send your questions, comments, and story links at [email protected]. Thank you for joining us!

Biosciences & plant genetics around the world

Plant protein structure database will help to uncover unknown functions of plant genes
PhysOrg

Newly developed “field pathogenomics” method tracks deadly wheat fungus
The Conversation

New RNA gene technology fights potato beetles, reduces pesticides
Genetic Literacy Project

Study characterizes genetic resistance to wheat disease
PhysOrg

UK’s Kew Gardens steps up global science efforts, including support for food security
SciDev

Could spinach gene save orange industry?
Genetic Literacy Project

Q&A: A plant lab in the palm of your hand
SciDev

Filipino farmers appeal ban on Bt eggplant
Genetic Literacy Project

Herbicide-tolerant hybrid sorghum to hit shelves 2017
Genetic Literacy Project

Proof he’s the Science Guy: Bill Nye is changing his mind about GMOs
Washington Post

Women farmers pillar of food security – UN Agencies
AllAfrica

Pan-Africa

Lessons from Green Revolution in Africa – Agnes Kalibata
AllAfrica

Scientists insist GM foods safe, want ban lifted
The Standard

FAO Food Price Index declines further in February, led by sugar
AllAfrica

Food security in Africa needs a tailored approach, suggests new research
PhysOrg

Namibia: Thousands of farmers face starvation
AllAfrica

Rwandan farmers get solar grain dryers from WFP
African Farming

Kenya: Purple tea offers farmers mixed bag of fortunes
FarmBiz Africa

Food security at risk as drought stricken farmers receive no assistance
AllAfrica

Thailand ready to help Namibia grow rice
AllAfrica

Ghana

Video: USAID constructs a seed laboratory for Northern region in Ghana
by B4FA Fellow Noah Nash

Agriculture is tool to alleviating poverty in Ghana
AllAfrica

Nigeria

Nigerian Senate passes Biosafety Bill
Voice of Nigeria

Biosafety Bill: Acid test for Reps
Nigerian Pilot, by B4FA Fellow Kenneth Azahan

IFDC partner with Heineken to improve Nigerian cassava yields
African Farming

Tanzania

New 65 hybrid seed varieties launched
AllAfrica

Preparing for agricultural investment, improved productivity
AllAfrica

Ruvuma in serious grain storage crisis
AllAfrica

Uganda

Uganda could lose market as Kenya’s maize project takes off
Daily Monitor

Is there enough grass to feed your animals?
Daily Monitor, by B4FA Fellow Michael Ssali

Featured image: BT cotton, by Abhishek Srivastava/Flickr. Used with a CC 2.0 license.