The Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC) organised a training course on “Mitigating the Devastating Effect of Lepidopteran  through Molecular and Conventional Breeding Approaches” within the framework of the OIC Cotton Training Programme (OIC-CTP), for Cotton experts from OIC Cotton Producing Countries in Ankara on 29-31 March 2016. The course was conducted by experts from the University of the Punjab, Pakistan.

This course equiped participants with molecular biology techniques with regard to genetic modification, GMO detection, cotton variety approval, field evaluation risk assessment and applications, so they can utilize these methods in their own labs to transform plants and to detect the GMO’s of interest.

Overall Objective of the course was: Enhancing production efficiency and international competitiveness of the OIC countries through cooperation and providing awareness about Molecular biology techniques with regard to genetic modification of cotton, GMO detection, Cotton variety approval, Field evaluation, Risk assessment and applications.

The training course on “Mitigating the Devastating Effect of Lepidopteran Insect through Molecular and Conventional Breeding Approaches” mainly focused on some of the following topics: Introduction of Agriculture and Health Biotechnology at CEMB applications and achievements, Genetic transformation of cotton need, method and achievement, Risk assessment of transgenic plants and variety approval process, Development of insect and weedicide resistant cotton and Handling of GMO in Pakistan.

Experts from Bangladesh, Cameroon, Uganda, Togo, Mozambique, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Turkey attended the training course on cotton in Ankara. 

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