Knowledge for Development

Selected publications

Publications and reports in the field of S&T for Development in ACP countries.


American Patent Policy, Biotechnology, and African Agriculture: The Case for Policy Change

M.R. Taylor and J. Cayford, Resources for the Future, 28 January 2004. This report examines current patent policy in the US and shows how it may impede the use of agricultural biotechnology advances in developing countries. The authors recommend a set of policy changes to help African farmers access these new technologies.

22/12/2004


Bugs in the System? Issues in the Science and Regulation of GM Insects

Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology, 22 January 2004. Researchers are using biotechnology to develop GM insects for a wide variety of purposes, including fighting insect-borne diseases like malaria and controlling destructive insect agricultural pests, but clear regulatory framework for reviewing environmental safety and other issues associated with GM insects are inadequate.

22/12/2004


Conservation and Sustainable Use of Agricultural Biodiversity

CIP, 2003. The appreciation for agricultural biodiversity has grown and matured, resulting in an increasing awareness that its valuation and use could contribute to long-term conservation and use. This sourcebook encourages action aimed at managing agricultural biodiversity resources, in support of the livelihoods of farmers, fishers and livestock keepers. This three-volume publication is a compilation of field-based experiences around the world, focusing on strengthening local management of, and ensuring an enabling environment for agricultural biodiversity.

22/12/2004


Underinvestment in Agricultural Research and Development Revisited

J. Roseboom, ISNAR 2003. This paper looks at the factors influencing the relatively low public agricultural R&D investment in developing countries, and suggests ways in which more investment can be achieved. The paper highlights the factors causing underinvestment, and policies that could have a positive effect.

22/12/2004


Establishment and development of a regional agricultural policy network in the Caribbean: Scoping policy networks in the Caribbean agriculture sector

C. Kirton and A. Bailey, CTA, 2003. The University of the West Indies aims to develop an information network for regional agricultural policy stakeholders in the CARIFORUM/CARICOM countries. The authors argue that national and regional institutions involved must make a commitment to establishing a regional network, fed by national networks in member countries.

22/12/2004


Trends in the Organization and Financing of Agricultural Research in Developed Countries. Implications for Developing Countries

W. Janssen and T. Braunschweig, CGIAR, 2003. This paper looks at the effects on agricultural research systems of the globalisation of markets, economic liberalisation, advances in science and technology, and new thinking about the roles of the public and the private sectors.

22/12/2004


Public-Private Partnerships for Agroindustrial Research: Recommendations from an Expert Consultation

F. Hartwich et al., ISNAR 2003. This briefing paper reports on a workshop looking at public-private partnerships in agroindustrial research. It presents case studies that highlight challenges to the integration of public-private partnerships, as well as experiences in Germany and Africa, and suggests future steps for making public-private partnerships a more useful tool for agroindustrial development.

22/12/2004


Business and Biotechnology: Regulation and the Politics of Influence

P. Newell and D. Glover, Institute of Development Studies (IDS), Sussex, UK (2003). This paper explores the issue of regulation of biotechnology products at the national and international level, paying special attention to the role of biotechnology firms and the responses of civil society groups.

22/12/2004


Knowledge Flows and Knowledge Collectives: Understanding the Role of Science and Technology Policies in Development

Consortium for Science, Policy and Outcomes (CSPO), Arizona University, 2003. This two-volume report of the Global Inclusion Program of the Rockefeller Foundation synthesises the results of two projects. Volume 1, Knowledge Flows, Innovation, and Learning in Developing Countries, focuses on national innovation systems and the implications for developing countries. Volume 2, Public Value Mapping for Scientific Research shows that wise investment in research and technology is crucial for nations with limited resources.

22/12/2004


INASP, Journal published in Africa

INASP, International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications: Journals published in Africa.

22/12/2004


Journal of IT in Agriculture

World Federation for Information Technology in Agriculture, November 2003. The WFITA will launch a new journal "Journal of Information Technology in Agriculture" . This peer-reviewed journal seeks to expand and update the research and knowledge base for professionals in agriculture and natural resources to improve their effectiveness in the use and application of IT. JITAg is published only as an electronic journal.

22/12/2004