Biotechnology businesses in Zambia

Biotechnology can play an essential role in fostering the economic and social development of a nation such as Zambia. Biotechnology harnesses cellular and bi-molecular processes to develop technologies and products that help improve our health and our lives in general. Recent advances in biotechnology are helping to meet society’s most pressing challenges.

Zambia has seen an increase in the use of biotechnology in food, health care products, and raw materials.

More about biotechnology

Also known as biotech, biotechnology utilises biological systems, living organisms or parts of these to develop or create different products. Biotechnology covers many different disciplines such as genetics, molecular biology and biochemistry, to mention a few.

Examples of biotech include brewing and baking bread. This involves the use of yeast to produce the desired product. Such processes usually utilise the living organisms in their natural form (or further developed by breeding), while the more modern form of biotechnology will generally involve a more advanced modification of the biological system or organism.

Biotechnology for healing

Biotechnology harnesses nature's own toolbox, using reserach guidelines and our own genetic makeup to:

• Reduce rates of infectious disease
• Save millions of children's lives
• Change the chances of serious, life-threatening conditions affecting millions around the world
• Tailor treatments to individuals to minimise health risks and side effects
• Create more precise tools for disease detection
• Combat serious illnesses and everyday threats confronting the developing world.

Biotechnology for fuel

Using biological processes such as fermentation, biotech is helping to fuel the world by:

• Reducing the steps in chemical manufacturing processes
• Lowering the temperature for cleaning clothes
• Improving manufacturing process efficiency to save on operating costs
• Reducing use of and reliance on petrochemicals
• Using biofuels to cut greenhouse gas emissions
• Decreasing water usage and waste generation
• Tapping into the full potential of traditional biomass waste products.

Biotechnology for food

Biotechnology improves crop resistance to insects, enhances crop herbicide tolerance and facilitates the use of more environmentally sustainable farming methods. It is helping to feed the world by:

• Producing higher crop yields with fewer inputs
• Reducing volumes of agricultural chemicals required by crops-limiting the run-off of these products into the environment
• Using biotech crops that need fewer applications of pesticides and that allow farmers to reduce tiling farmland
• Developing crops with enhanced nutrition profiles that solve vitamin and nutrient deficiencies
• Producing foods free of allergens and toxins
• Improving food and crop oil content to help improve cardiovascular health.

In Infobwana's Biotechnology category, you will find companies that manufacture and supply a selection of biotechnology products and services.