Emerging Technologies to Benefit Farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia (2009) / Chapter Skim
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1 Introduction
1 Introduction
Pages 23-30
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The World Development Report 2008: Agriculture for Development (World Bank, 2007) highlights the need to invest in agriculture in developing countries to reduce hunger and poverty, and the International Assessment of Agricultural Science and Technology for Development report (IAASTD, 2008)
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-- the foundation is supporting scientific research and the dissemination of technologies to improve crops, enhance soil fertility, increase the efficiency of water use, improve agricultural data, and promote market development. As one of its guiding principles, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has stated that "science and technology have great potential to improve lives South Asia is defined as including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Maldives, Bhutan, and Nepal; however, this report is much more heavily focused on agriculture as practiced in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh because of their large populations.
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In contrast, in SSA, where support for agricultural research and development has declined in the last 20 years, most farmers produce barely enough food for subsistence and suffer from fluctuations of yield that often result in food shortage, a loss of income, and degradation of the local environment as farmers seek to cultivate marginal and sensitive lands. The exception is seen in South Africa, Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe with large-scale commercial farms where good soil, adequate rainfall, and the use of mechanized agriculture and advanced technologies have resulted in yields similar to those in the industrialized world.
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for a study of emerging technologies that could benefit farmers in SSA and SA. Although it is probably safe to assume that research in the scientific fields mentioned above will move forward and eventually lead to agricultural applications in the industrialized world, it will take a concerted effort to direct the development of novel technologies (and investment in them)
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A mix of technological innovators participated in the visioning exercise and BOX 1-1 The Most Serious Agricultural Constraints in Sub‑Saharan Africa and South Asia: Perspectives from Scientists in Those Regions • Soil fertility, lack of fertilizer, and soil degradation • Drought, insufficient water, and difficulties in managing water • Animal nutrition, diseases, and arthropod vectors • Insufficient markets and international regulation • Weak government and institutions and finance for small farmers • Germplasm of plants and animals • Education of farmers, extension, and information systems • Need for biotechnology and other new technologies to increase productivity • Parasitic weeds, plant diseases, and arthropod pests • Lack of infrastructure and manpower • Energy and mechanization for small farmers • Climate change and related problems • Information and resources for local scientists • Postharvesting technologies • Population growth SOURCE: Appendix C
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Some of the ideas may be carried forward for more detailed examination in a future NRC study. References FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)
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2006. Eradicating extreme poverty and hunger: To ward a coherent policy agenda.
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