Selected publications
Publications and reports in the field of S&T for Development in ACP countries.
30 years in science: Secular movements in knowledge creation
This discussion paper examines the relationship between geopolitical factors and scientific activity based on publication data from a 30-year period (1980 to 2009). Using bibliometric methods, the analysis concentrates on large-scale, secular movements in the geopolitics of knowledge creation. First, the evolution of the scientific outputs of the countries of the former USSR and Eastern Bloc is examined followed by that of the Middle East. The paper then looks at how the global map of science has been reshaped in Asia’s favour.
2/03/2010
Potential for second-generation biofuels in developing countries
By International Energy Agency (IEA), February 2010. IIED has published an information paper entitled ‘Sustainable Production of Second-Generation Biofuels: Potential and Perspectives in Major Economies and Developing Countries”. The paper focuses on opportunities and risks presented by second-generation biofuels technologies in eight case study countries: Brazil, Cameroon, China, India, Mexico, South Africa, Tanzania and Thailand. The report begins by exploring state-of-the-art second-generation technologies and their production, followed by projections of future demand and a discussion of drivers of that demand. The report then delves into various feedstock options and the global potential for bioenergy production. The final chapter offers a look at the potential for sustainable second-generation biofuel production in developing countries including considerations of economic, social and environmental impacts.
2/03/2010
The REDD direction: the potential for reduced forest carbon emissions, biodiversity protection and enhanced development: a desk study with special focus on Tanzania and Uganda
By A. Vatn; P. Vedeld and J.G. Petursson, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 2009. This paper examines whether reduced emissions from forests – from deforestation and forest degradation (the REDD project) – should be included in a post-Kyoto agreement. It focuses on how REDD could be instituted at the national level, and sheds light on specific challenges for two African countries – Tanzania and Uganda. The paper demonstrates that REDD would require an international agreement concerning its role and format and an international governance structure to distribute the resources involved. It would also need national governance structures in countries where REDD activities are supposed to take place to ensure that measures are instituted on the ground.
2/03/2010
Guidelines for rapid appraisals of agrifood chain performance in developing countries - Value chain analysis: a standard guideline?
By C. da Silva; H. de Souza Filho, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2007.This paper gives guidelines and presents a methodological strategy for the analysis of agrifood value chains. The guideline aims to provide information on the conceptual fundamentals of chain analyses, such as the components of the agrifood chain, research planning and stakeholder validation.
2/03/2010
Delivering genetically engineered crops to poor farmers
By International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), 2009. Small-scale, resource-poor farmers in developing countries face daily stresses, including poor soils, drought, and lack of inputs. Ongoing trends such as climate change and population growth will likely exacerbate binding stresses. A new generation of genetically engineered (GE) crop research aims to alleviate these pressures through the improvement of subsistence crops—such as cassava, sorghum, and millet—that incorporate traits such as tolerance to drought, water, and aluminum in soils as well as plants with more efficient nitrogen and phosphor use. However, many developing countries lack the necessary biosafety systems for a timely and cost-effective adoption. This brief focuses on the regulatory reforms necessary for farmers and consumers in developing countries to benefit from GE crops.
1/03/2010
Micro-level practices to adapt to climate change for African small-scale farmers
By International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), 2010. This paper discusses micro-level practices for adapting to climate change that are available to small-scale farmers in Africa. The analysis is based on a review of 17 studies about practices that boost small-scale farmers’ resilience or reduce their vulnerability to observed or expected changes in climate; it includes data from more than 16 countries in Africa, the Americas, Europe, and Asia. The review shows that African smallholders are already using a wide variety of creative practices to deal with climate risks; these can be further adjusted to the challenge of climate change by planned adaptation programs. 104 different practices were found relevant to climate change adaptation and are organized in five categories: farm management and technology; farm financial management; diversification on and beyond the farm; government interventions in infrastructure, health, and risk reduction; and knowledge management, networks, and governance.
1/03/2010
The State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA)
By FAO, February 2010. Urgent investments, major agricultural research efforts and robust governance are required to ensure that the world's livestock sector responds to a growing demand for animal products and at the same time contributes to poverty reduction, food security, environmental sustainability and human health. The report stresses that livestock is essential to the livelihoods of around one billion poor people. Livestock provides income, high-quality food, fuel, draught power, building material and fertilizer, thus contributing to food security and nutrition. For many small-scale farmers, livestock also provides an important safety net in times of need.
1/03/2010
Biofuel industry study: Tanzania: An assessment of the current situation
By WWF-TPO, March 2009. Biofuels remain a highly contentious issue in Tanzania. There has been a huge wave of foreign investors into the country since 2005. Many of these investors are proposing that they will be carrying out socially and environmentally responsible programmes, however details surrounding how precisely they will achieve these remain unclear. The overall aim of this study is to highlight, with concrete examples, the challenges involved as large-scale biofuel investments are carried out in Tanzania. Following a previous WWF study into biofuels, this study aims to look at some of the major issues involved with biofuels in Tanzania and assess how investors can develop their businesses successfully, whilst simultaneously mitigating negative environmental impacts and maximising gains for rural development and Tanzania in general.
1/03/2010
A fairer slice for Pacific peoples
By DEVFISH, 2009. Fisheries are an extremely important resource for Pacific Island peoples. Much of the region’s nutrition, welfare, culture, recreation, government revenue and employment are derived from fisheries, especially tuna. The Pacific Ocean is one of the world’s most valuable tuna fisheries and its sustainable development is crucial to the long-term economic and social wellbeing of the region. Although this is a very lucrative fishery, most Pacific Island Countries are still to realise the full potential of their tuna resources. For example, in 2008 Pacific ACP countries caught only $604 million USD worth of tuna within their own waters, while foreign fleets fishing in the same waters caught over $2.05 billion USD.
1/03/2010
The production and price impact of biotechnology crops
By Graham Brookes, Tun-Hsiang Yu, Simla Tokgoz, and Amani Elobeid, January 2010. The working paper The Production and Price Impact of Biotech Crops, discuss about the production effects of the technology and impacts on cereal and oilseed markets through the use of agricultural commodity models. It analyzes the impacts on global production, consumption, trade and prices in the soybean, canola and corn sectors. The effect of no longer using the current widely used biotech traits in the corn, soybean and canola sectors would probably impact negatively on both the global supply and utilization of these crops, their derivatives and related markets for grain and oilseeds.
1/03/2010
Delivering genetically engineered crops to poor farmers: Recommendations for improved biosafety regulations in developing countries
By Falck-Zepeda, José, Cavalieri, Anthony and Zambrano, Patricia, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), 2009. Small-scale, resource-poor farmers in developing countries face daily stresses, including poor soils, drought, and lack of inputs. Ongoing trends such as climate change and population growth will likely exacerbate binding stresses. A new generation of genetically engineered (GE) crop research aims to alleviate these pressures through the improvement of subsistence crops—such as cassava, sorghum, and millet—that incorporate traits such as tolerance to drought, water, and aluminium in soils as well as plants with more efficient nitrogen and phosphor use. However, many developing countries lack the necessary biosafety systems for a timely and cost-effective adoption. This brief focuses on the regulatory reforms necessary for farmers and consumers in developing countries to benefit from GE crops.
1/03/2010
Undying promise: Agricultural biotechnology’s pro-poor narrative, ten years on
By Dominic Glover, STEPS Working Paper 15, Brighton: STEPS Centre, 2009. Many people and organisations have sought to promote genetically modified (GM, transgenic) crops as a ‘pro-poor’ technology. However, developing-country farmers’ experiences with GM crops have been mixed. Some farmers have certainly benefited, but others have not. Predictably, the performance and impacts of transgenic crops depend critically on a range of technical, socio-economic and institutional factors. By themselves, genetically modified seeds are not enough to guarantee a good harvest or to create a sustainable and productive farm livelihood.
1/03/2010
Climate testimonies: voices from communities affected by climate change
By Friends of the Earth International, November 2007. This report presents nine stories about the impact of climate change from different countries around the world. These case studies chronicle specific impacts and provide testimonies of local community members who have dramatic first-hand experience of devastating climate events. They also describe their perceptions of the various challenges faced by policymakers, decision-makers, and even the local populations themselves. While some regions are suffering from floods, others are experiencing severe drought and increasing desertification, all of which is fostering more hunger, thirst, disease and displacement. Stories on Mali a dry land confronts a warming world; Swaziland facing the heat and Tuvalu islanders lose ground to rising seas
1/03/2010
Supporting international cooperation in environmental nanotechnology
The ICPC-NanoNet project can support international research cooperation in environmental nanotechnology between the European Union and International Cooperation Partner Countries to the EU (emerging economies and developing countries). This article focuses on the case of nanotechnology for water purification. The article can be found online here
23/02/2010
AJFAND Volume 10 No. 1 2010
Issue 31 of AJFAND is ready. We at the Secretariat have great expectations and anticipation for year 2010. During the last Foreword (issue 30), I appealed for support to host student interns. The response has been encouraging and has come in form of students applying for attachment, and a number of potential donors seeking details on how we can work together to achieve this goal. If this model works, it will fit squarely in AJFAND’s initial objective to operate as a capacity building undertaking to improve manuscript preparation, and analytical, reviewing and editing capabilities. The deliverables would be clearly visible. I continue to appeal for support in this area. Contact us, please, for discussions on how we can move forward together. Another request is for readers of AJFAND to send in comments which we can carry on the “comments” page of the journal. These constitute spontaneous, quick-to-read comments which we take fairly seriously. Issue 31 has a Guest Editor, Prof. Henry Laswai, a seasoned scholar of Sokoine University, Tanzania. We wish to foster a sense of ownership by inviting participation in various aspects of the journal. New ideas are welcome on how to increase not only the readership, but also contributions to the journal. In this issue the following articles: Role of animal meats in cardiovascular diseases with reference to sub-Saharan Africa: A review. Lokuruka Michael Effects of tenure and land use factors on food security among rural households in the dry savannas of Nigeria. Bamire Adebayo Vegetable-based feed formulation on poultry meat quality. Omenka RO and GN Anyasor Proximate composition, amino acid profile and phytochemical screening of lophira lanceolata seeds. Lohlum Ann et al. Growth performance and iron status of rural Beninese school-age children in post- and pre-harvest season. Mitchikpe Evariste et al. Nutrient content and acceptability of soybean based complementary food. Laswai Henry et al. Determinants of micro irrigation adoption for maize production in smallholder irrigation schemes: Case of Hama Mavhaire irrigation scheme, Zimbabwe. Musara Joseph et al. Physico-chemical characteristics of Shea butter (Vitellaria paradoxa C.F. Gaertn.) oil from the Shea districts of Uganda.Okullo John et al.
23/02/2010
FEWS NET food security outlook for southern Africa
Please find attached the FEWS NET Food Security Outlook for Southern Africa for the period January to June 2010. The Outlook presents an overview of current food security conditions and the progress of the 2009/10 crop season. It then projects the most likely food security conditions over the six month period for the region. The maps on current and most likely food security conditions summarize the results of FEWS NET outlook analysis in Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
11/02/2010
The Manitoba challenge: Integrated water and land management for climate adaptation
By IISD, January 2010. A new study by IISDs Water Innovation Centre, presents the case for technological and institutional innovation for effective ecological watershed management. Key elements of this innovation agenda include governance reform at the water-land interface, re-purposing existing resources, and designing new economic instruments to support watershed management, including ecological goods and services programs in the agricultural sector. Manitoba is a region of high water variability—floods and droughts have always characterized the region. Climate change threatens to make that variability more extreme and may already be happening. At present, over 90 per cent of the available water budget returns to the atmosphere as evaporation; only 8 per cent is available as watershed runoff. As climate change brings more and more variable rainfall, ecological watershed management (for water conservation, groundwater recharge, and flood and drought protection) becomes an ever more important adaptation strategy and has the major co-benefit of also reducing nutrient loads on Lake Winnipeg.
4/02/2010
Pro-poor biotechnology and biosafety research in partnership with developing countries
By IFPRI, 2009. The majority of poor people in developing countries rely on agriculture for their food and livelihoods. However, they are increasingly vulnerable and food insecure due to declining agricultural productivity growth, climate change susceptibility, and volatile food and energy prices. As part of its commitment to improving livelihoods and reducing poverty, IFPRI is undertaking substantial work on food- and nutrition-related science and technology policy, with an emphasis on innovations that are relevant, safe, and accessible to poor people. Assessing the socioeconomic opportunities and risks of agricultural biotechnology for smallholder farming systems, poor consumers, biodiversity, and trade is a priority on IFPRI’s research agenda. IFPRI’s biotechnology research is also complemented by its work on biosafety policy issues.
4/02/2010
Climate, agriculture and food security – A strategy for change
By CGIAR December 2009. The CGIAR launched a report about its work on climate change and agriculture, giving a very comprehensive summary of ongoing research within the centres as well as a strategy for the future. CIAT figures prominently, with descriptions of work on modelling the impacts of climate change on crop production and crop wild relatives, the development of drought tolerant beans, the Quesungual slash and mulch system, and biological nitrification inhibition (BNI) for mitigating climate change in pastures. The document also presents a strategy for the future, centered around the Challenge Program for Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS).
4/02/2010
Community-based adaptation to climate change
By IIED, December 2009. This special issue of Participatory Learning and Action focuses on recent approaches to climate change adaptation which are community-based and participatory, building on the priorities, knowledge, and capacities of local people. It discusses how community-based approaches to climate change have emerged, and the similarities and differences between CBA and other participatory development and disaster risk reduction approaches. It highlights innovative participatory methods which are developing to help communities analyse the causes and effects of climate change, integrate scientific and community knowledge of climate change, and plan adaptation measures. Whilst CBA is a relatively new field, some lessons and challenges are beginning to emerge, including how to integrate disaster risk reduction, livelihoods and climate change adaptation work, climate change knowledge gaps, issues around the type and quality of participation, and the need for policies and institutions that support CBA.
4/02/2010
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