S&T Issues in Perspective

ICTs for Transforming Agriculture in Africa

Biodiversity

Biological resources are the pillars upon which ACP countries can build their economic development. Nature's products support such diverse industries as agriculture, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, pulp and paper, horticulture, construction and waste treatment. However, the loss of biodiversity threatens food supplies, opportunities for recreation and tourism, and sources of wood, medicines and energy in many ACP countries. The Convention on Biological Diversity, as an international treaty, identifies common problems, sets overall goals and policies and general obligations, and organizes technical and financial cooperation. However, the responsibility for achieving these goals rests largely with the ACP themselves (and of course with other countries on the planet). This dossier provides background information on issues pertaining to the protection of biodiversity that are of special interest to ACP countries.

8/06/2009

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.

24/06/2008

Biotechnology

It is widely accepted that investments in science, technology and innovation are essential for economic development. The rapid changes that are taking place due to advances in biotechnology and information and communication technologies (ICTs) support this view. Although new scientific discoveries and technologies could provide countries with a competitive advantage and address some major problems (such as improved varieties of plants resistant to pests and diseases), their adoption is frequently not without controversy due to differing viewpoints and perceptions of the potential risks involved. This edition of the dossier addresses the issue of biotechnology and the Cartagena Protocol.

1/07/2010

Climate change

ACP countries consume very little fossil fuel but bear the brunt of the consequences of huge emissions of greenhouse gasses by industrialized countries. They suffer the most adverse effects due to their inability to respond adequately to projected climate changes caused by these emissions. This dossier investigates the consequences of climate change in ACP countries and explores S&T strategies for agricultural and rural development required to mitigate them.

7/08/2007

Science and ethics

Science and ethics are inextricably bound together. Science is said to be objective and ethics is subjective as it is linked to personal choices. This dossier deals with the broad range of ethical complexities in science, research design and implementation, selection and use of material, implications of innovative outcomes and the interest of society. In his lead article: Ethics in Science for Development Prof. Michiel Korthals, Head of Department Applied Philosophy, Wageningen University, The Netherlands, discusses ethical dilemmas scientists often face. Prof. Annabel Fossey of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), South Africa, in her lead article: Research Ethics and Agricultural Innovations – The Dilemma of Scientists states that since the advent of genetic engineering the view that scientists are, in general, trustworthy and ethically sound, and that agricultural research leading to new technological advances is intrinsically good has been altered, culminating in an ever growing societal interest in agricultural practices and their consequences.

5/12/2008

Foresighting

We currently face several global crises related to finance, economics, health, environment, agriculture, and energy which raise the question, was there sufficient foresighting used to determine and evaluate the possible futures and take the necessary action? Foresighting is a collective process that involves evaluation of past events, current trends and possible future scenarios to determine policies and strategies. Foresight studies are carried out in several developed countries and policymakers use such studies to design their policy plans. Is there sufficient foresighting taking place in ACP countries for determining what the future of their agricultural sectors will or should be and what science, technology and innovation capacity is needed? This folder provides an overview of foresighting in general, and more particularly the role of foresighting in agricultural development.

3/06/2009

ICM Strategies

Information and Communication Management (ICM) and knowledge management (KM) are often characterised as having three components: people, processes and technology. However, the rapid development of information and communications technologies (ICTs) has sometimes resulted in ICM being seen as a largely technological issue. In reality it is the people component of ICM and KM supported by processes and technology that is the most important. In the articles and documents publsihed on this website we have discussed the concept of Innovation systems as networks of interlinked actors, wherein the effective communication of information and exchange of knowledge among the different actors is critical to the performance of the system. In the agricultural science, technology and innovation system, successful organisations and related agro-enterprises and industries are increasingly those that recognize the importance of knowledge, and implement policies and strategies to promote its creation, sharing and application. This dossier highlights the issue of information and knowledge sharing and points our readers to available resources and tools to assist in the development of capacity to harness knowledge for agricultural development in ACP countries.

8/05/2008

Intellectual property

This dossier contains over 225 annotated links to information on intellectual property (IP) in ACP agriculture. It is intended for ACP policy makers and researchers who are confronted with the complexities of the various international treaties and agreements governing IP in agriculture. These include the WTO Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV, 1991), and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, which entered into force on 29 June 2004.

25/06/2008

MIS for environmental monitoring

Timely quality information is critical for sound decision making and knowledge development. Information is now being generated at a rapid pace and access and availability are multi-dimensional. Collation and coordination of the multiple data and information sources and integration into a management information system will enhance the flow of information within an organization, country or region. This dossier has been prepared to raise awareness of ACP countries of the need to develop systems for the systematic acquisition, analysis and archiving of data and information from a variety of sources. An integrated management information system (MIS) is a powerful tool for planning and decision-making. Successful management information systems in many regions which can serve as models for ACP countries.

25/07/2008

Nanotechnology

Science technology and innovation at the nano-scale (STI-NANO) is being positioned as the new frontier for driving industrial expansion and providing answers to societies’ problems. This folder presents an overview of the development trends and potential of STI-NANO and examines the implications for ACP countries – more specifically with regard to agriculture and medicine. Prof. Ishenkumba Kahwa, professor of Supramolecular Chemistry and Head of the Department of Chemistry at the University of the West Indies’ Mona Campus, Jamaica presents the opportunities and reviews the prospects and challenges for ACP countries. He presents the market potential and global efforts to take advantage of the new technology to provide competitive advantage for several developed and developing countries. He also cautions of the need to address safety and ethical issues to respond to consumer concerns. In his lead article, Dr. Anane-Fenin from the department of Physics at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana pleas for ACP countries to gain access to nanotechnology facilities and instrumentation for researchers both in academia and industry. Both lead articles discuss the potential of STI for ACP countries and the need for ACP countries to invest in STI-NANO research and development and build alliances; south-south, south-north and south-north-south development strategies’ to ensure that they contribute to the evolving knowledge pool and using science for socio-economic development. Links to related websites and publications complement the lead articles and provide interesting background information in this challenging field of nanoscience and nanotechnology. Prepared by KIT in collaboration with CTA – April 2008, Edited by J.A. Francis, CTA & J. Sluijs, KIT.

25/07/2008

Remote sensing

In the 1960s and 70s, remote sensing was done from aircraft and mainly for military purposes using thermal infrared scanners (temperature) and radar systems (SLAR: side looking airborne radar). Recognising the potential for civil applications, primarily in agriculture (harvest estimates) and geology (possible presence of oil and gas), the first earth-orbiting satellites were equipped with technology for colour observations of the Earth. The potential of these space observations for meteorology was quickly identified, and the meteorological community launched a successful series of meteorological satellites of increasing complexity and capabilities, which has sustained until the very present.

25/07/2008