The research and innovation map of Malawi reveals an intriguing paradox: despite being one of the poorest countries in the world, it devotes 1% of its gross domestic product (GDP) to research and development (R&D), one of the highest ratios in Africa. In October 2014, UNESCO released the third volume in its series of country profiles in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) policy. Although R&D spending remains low in real terms, Malawian scientists publish more in mainstream journals – relative to GDP – than researchers in other countries with similar populations. (UNESCO, 12/10/2014)
8/03/2015
Mapping research and innovation in Malawi reveals an intriguing paradox: despite being one of the poorest countries in the world. In October 2014, UNESCO released the third volume in its series of country profiles in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) policy. Malawi devotes 1% of its gross domestic product (GDP) to research and development (R&D), one of the highest ratios in Africa. Although R&D spending remains low in real terms, Malawian scientists publish more in mainstream journals –relative to GDP – than researchers in any other country with a similar population size. (UNESCO, 12/10/2014)
27/02/2015
FARA and partners are leading the development and operationalization of the Science Agenda for Agriculture in Africa (S3A). This African-owned and African-led agenda articulates how Africa needs to apply science, technology, extension, innovations, policy and social learning to meet its agricultural and overall development goals. In the medium to long term the aim is to build systemic scientific capacity at national and regional levels in order to address the evolving needs of farmers, producers, entrepreneurs and consumers, especially given strategic and foresight issues such as climate change and urbanisation. (FARA, 12/2014)
22/02/2015
12 regional reviews of research–policy linkages in the field of climate change adaptation in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) covering three themes – urban areas, agriculture and health – in West, Central, Southern and East Africa are analysed. Both gaps and opportunities for collaboration are identified. This was undertaken as part of the AfricaInteract programme, to enhance the knowledge base and support research-based policy formulation for adaptation to climate change throughout SSA. (Future Agricultures, 13.10.2014)Download the report.
22/02/2015
The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) argues that sustainable pathways to innovation will require the engagement of all stakeholders in a science driven multi-disciplinary approach. The organisation has developed the Technology Innovation Platform of IFOAM (TIPI) with a vision and a 14 point action plan to advance organic agriculture through research, development, innovation and technology transfer. The new paradigm proposed by TIPI is founded upon a whole systems approach, that engages farmers, researchers and other practitioners in co-innovative efforts; and open access technologies that are readily adaptable to local conditions. TIPI envisages bottlenecks in realising its vision and calls upon the organic farming community to support the action plan to advance organic agriculture in a forward-thinking and innovative way. (IFAOM and FiBL, 23/10/2014)
31/12/2014
Different perspectives on the inter-relationships between science, technology and innovation (ST&I), the multiple dimensions of development (ecological, economic, social and cultural) and of sustainability (economic, environmental and social) are explored. In addition to outlining underlying scientific concepts and detailing the change of paradigm in ST&I policy over the past decades, Anna Schwachula of the Centre for Development Research, at the University of Bonn, Germany (ZEF) and co-authors note the complexity of analysing the potential impacts of ST&I on society and propose three scientific models. The authors focused on how the OECD, World Bank and UNESCO defined and operationalised ST&I for development and conclude that by emphasising the economic aspects of developments, social and environmental dimensions are side-lined. The lack of institution-wide consensus on key concepts is observed and they caution against applying a universal blueprint. A call js made for a discussion of a broader range of conceptualisations and pathways along the science-policy interface to determine to what extent these could be used for developing countries. (ZEF, 06/2014)
31/12/2014
Norman Clark, John Mugabe, and James Smith provide an analytical context of biotechnology and biosafety in three African countries by reviewing the nature of science policy research, especially as it applies to potential developmental impacts of biotechnology. The book throws new light on biotechnology governance in Kenya, South Africa and Uganda that have been struggling with biotechnology development and related biosafety policy and pays attention to experiences in OECD countries. In addition, the authors pay close attention to the analysis of risk and how it may be managed. They discuss the flawed nature of traditional approaches to biosafety management (treating biosafety risks as reducible to probabilistic values) and argue that these approaches are not only invalid from a purely scientific point of view, but also fail to deal with attitudes of civil society. They think that it is largely for these reasons that the 'precautionary principle' has begun to be taken seriously. (Africa Portal, 09/2014)
29/10/2014
Key message: Smallholder farmers are not the problem.
24/10/2014
Key messages: 1) Access to food is a human right & 2) We need impact and we must avoid the blame game.
24/10/2014
Key message: Recognise local concerns, interests and needs, as they strengthen measures that are supportive of the change/innovation process
24/10/2014
Key message: Markets for farmers are important in addressing FNS.
24/10/2014
Key message: Learn from the past and do better.
24/10/2014
Key message: New incentives & reward structures are needed.
24/10/2014
Key message: Build on comparative advantage and engage farmers.
24/10/2014
Key message: Science by itself cannot deliver innovation.
24/10/2014
Key message: We need to understand the context to make a difference.
24/10/2014
Key message: Competing evidence will always exist.
24/10/2014
Key message: Holistic development is needed for impact
24/10/2014
Key message: Put value on indigenous crops, mechanize & engage farmers.
24/10/2014
Key message: FNS and STI policies need implementation and evaluation mechanisms
24/10/2014