%0 Journal Article %T Overcoming barriers to trust in agricultural biotechnology projects: a case study of Bt cowpea in Nigeria %A Ezezika Obidimma C %A Daar Abdallah S %J Agriculture & Food Security %D 2012 %I BioMed Central %R 10.1186/2048-7010-1-s1-s5 %X Background Nigeria, Africa¡¯s most populous country, has been the world¡¯s largest cowpea importer since 2004. The country is currently in the early phases of confined field trials for two genetically modified crops: Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cowpea and nutritionally enhanced cassava (¡°BioCassava Plus¡±). Using the bio-safety guidelines process as a backdrop, we evaluate the role of trust in the operation of the Cowpea Productivity Improvement Project, which is an international agricultural biotechnology public-private partnership (PPP) aimed at providing pest-resistant cowpea varieties to Nigerian farmers. Methods We reviewed the published literature and collected data through direct observations and semi-structured, face-to-face interviews. Data were analyzed based on emergent themes to create a comprehensive narrative on how trust is understood and built among the partners and with the community. Results Our findings highlight the importance of respecting mandates and eliminating conflicts of interest; holding community engagement initiatives early on; having on-going internal discussion and planning; and serving a locally-defined need. These four lessons could prove helpful to other agricultural biotechnology initiatives in which partners may face similar trust-related challenges. Conclusions Overcoming challenges to building trust requires concerted effort throughout all stages of project implementation. Currently, plans are being made to backcross the cowpea strain into a local variety in Nigeria. The development and adoption of the Bt cowpea seed hinges on the adoption of a National Biosafety Law in Nigeria. For countries that have decided to adopt biotech crops, the Nigerian cowpea experiment can be used as a model for other West African nations, and is actually applied as such in Ghana and Burkina Faso, interested in developing a Bt cowpea. %K Bt cowpea %K Maruca-resistant %K Nigeria %K trust %K agricultural biotechnology %K public-private partnership %K Monsanto %K African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) %U http://www.agricultureandfoodsecurity.com/content/1/S1/S5