Knowledge for Development

Commodities

The ACP Group of States need to adjust the approach to agricultural production, marketing and distribution to be able to compete in national, regional and international markets. Traditional commodities such as banana, coffee and sugar are no longer assured of guaranteed prices and ready access to international markets. How then should the ACP region respond? Commodities, traditionally considered as food security crops are now being looked at in a different light. Can scientists assist the countries in making informed decisions to improve efficiency, cost effectiveness, quality and competitiveness?

As ACP countries strive to improve its agricultural performance for achieving food security and market competitiveness, its scientific community must provide the leadership to identify alternatives either through bringing about improvements in existing products across the production, marketing and consumption chain or developing new products that are desirable in the market place. This folder examines the scientific trends across the production to consumption chain for the major commodities in the ACP region( including banana, cassava, cocoa and sugar). It seeks to demonstrate to ACP countries that opportunities exist for innovation to transform the profiles of these commodities and contribute to social and economic development in the ACP region.


Biofuels

The increased international focus on expanding the production of biofuels has given countries the impetus to increase investments primarily to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and to mitigate climate change. The ACP countries have traditionally used biofuels but the efficiency and sustainability of their production systems are questionable. The decline in preferential markets for sugar and the need to diversify the industry to minimize the social displacement makes the production of sugar ethanol and other biofuels from a range of crops including cassava seem attractive. However, balancing food production, achieving food, nutrition and environmental sustainability, and producing biofuels at competitive prices for national and international markets will remain an elusive dream if the scientific and political community do not join forces in consultation with civil society. In this dossier, two EU and ACP scientists argue the pros and cons for the future of biofuels in ACP countries and provide insights into the options and strategies for making inroads in the biofuels market. The links to related websites and publications provide additional background material for the readers to examine the related issues and learn from international experiences to make informed decisions for crafting the future science and policy interventions that can benefit society in the global biofuel market.

30/07/2012


Cassava

The ACP Group of States need to adjust the approach to agricultural production, marketing and distribution to be able to compete in national, regional and international markets. Traditional commodities such as cassava are no longer assured of guaranteed prices and ready access to international markets. How then should the ACP region respond? Commodities, traditionally considered as food security crops are now being looked at in a different light. Can scientists assist the countries in making informed decisions to improve efficiency, cost effectiveness, quality and competitiveness?

30/07/2012


Dairy

Demand for dairy products in developing countries is increasing, and milk production contributes to household livelihoods, food security and nutrition. However, dairy productivity is limited by poor-quality feed resources, disease, poor access to markets and services and low genetic potential. Milk production in Africa is growing more slowly than elsewhere. Increasing efficiency and diversifying into new products have the potential to improve revenue and security within the agricultural supply chain. Entrepreneurial spirit is critical to taking on the challenges of dairy improvement.

3/11/2014


Enhancing the sorghum value chain

Sorghum is crucial for food and nutritional security for over 300 million people, particularly for communities living in arid and semi-arid lands in sub-Saharan Africa. Its ability to grow in harsh environments where other crops would not survive is an added advantage. Sorghum has also been endorsed by the regional economic communities in sub-Saharan Africa as one of the strategic commodities for targeted investments. In addition to its food use as grain or in syrup, it has wider commercial potential for the production of fodder, alcoholic beverages (e.g. beer) and biofuels. While in the past sorghum had attracted less research investment than other staple crops e.g. cereals such as wheat, rice and corn, sequencing of the genome has provided added opportunities for varietal improvements including enhancing nutritional properties and boosting yield under a range of conditions. Researchers all over the world in both developed and developing countries are conducting research on this crop.  

28/07/2014


Fisheries

Livestock and fisheries make vital contributions to meeting the food and nutrition needs of ACP countries. In these countries, the fisheries sector is becoming a leading export sector for many countries but concerns exist about depletion of fish stocks due to over-exploitation of the resources and dame to the ecosystem. The dossier provides a wealth of selected background information on the fisheries sector that is essential for supporting ACP policy making for sustainable development.

30/07/2012


Fruits

Can ACP smallholders reap the fruit and share in rewards through enhanced horticultural productivity? Will increased investments in horticultural research and development contribute to poverty alleviation? What is the role for advanced technologies? These and other questions are explored in this folder on fruit horticulture for food and wealth.

29/08/2012


Herbs and medicinal plants

Can ACP smallholders reap the fruit and share in rewards through enhanced horticultural productivity? Will increased investments in horticultural research and development contribute to poverty alleviation? What is the role for advanced technologies? These and other questions are explored in this folder on herbs and medicinal plants horticulture for food and health.

31/08/2012


Livestock

Livestock and fisheries make vital contributions to meeting the food and nutrition needs of ACP countries. In these countries, the livestock sector ranges from small-scale producers of live animals to large-scale commercial enterprises on the one hand, and simple slaughter poles to sophisticated abattoirs with refrigeration and chilling facilities at the other end of the continuum. The dossier provides a wealth of selected background information on the livestock sector that is essential for supporting ACP policy making for sustainable development.

28/08/2012


Other commodities

The ACP Group of States need to adjust the approach to agricultural production, marketing and distribution to be able to compete in national, regional and international markets. Traditional commodities are no longer assured of guaranteed prices and ready access to international markets. How then should the ACP region respond? Commodities, traditionally considered as food security crops are now being looked at in a different light. Can scientists assist the countries in making informed decisions to improve efficiency, cost effectiveness, quality and competitiveness? In this dossier, find relevant information about cocoa, cut flowers, cereals and cotton.

30/07/2012


Rethinking the rice value chain

Investments in science and engineering as well as the optimization of research results and indigenous knowledge can catalyse agricultural innovation as well as enhance the performance of agricultural value chains. Capitalizing on the potential of science and technology, traditional knowledge and entrepreneurship to produce high-quality rice that benefit farmers, consumers and national economies is the focus of this new dossier. Two new lead articles as well as documents and links that provide details of the rice value chain and ways of using science and technology to boost yields and incomes are featured in this new K4D folder. 

5/12/2012


Sugarcane

The ACP Group of States need to adjust the approach to agricultural production, marketing and distribution to be able to compete in national, regional and international markets. Traditional commodities such as sugar are no longer assured of guaranteed prices and ready access to international markets. How then should the ACP region respond? Commodities, traditionally considered as food security crops are now being looked at in a different light. Can scientists assist the countries in making informed decisions to improve efficiency, cost effectiveness, quality and competitiveness?

28/08/2012


Vegetables

Can ACP smallholders reap the fruit and share in rewards through enhanced horticultural productivity? Will increased investments in horticultural research and development contribute to poverty alleviation? What is the role for advanced technologies? These and other questions are explored in this folder on vegetable horticulture for food and wealth.

29/08/2012