Technology and Innovation in Agriculture

The Technology and Innovation Report 2010: Enhancing Food Security in Africa Through Science and Technology and Innovation  looks at the current trend towards declining agricultural productivity in many developing countries, especially in Africa.  


1. The Report identifies key challenges in the growth of agricultural capacity. These include: 
(a) declining investment; 
(b) a lack of guaranteed land tenure and access to credit;
(c) isolation of small holder farmers; 
(d) inadequate adaptation to climate change; 
(e) lack of  high technology bio-energy solutions; 
(f) previous structural adjustment policies and 
(g) a lack of regionally relevant innovation priorities in agricultural research and innovation.  


2. To address these impediments, the key recommendations include to:
(a) Place smallholder farmers at the centre of policy;
(b) Strengthen policy maker capabilities;
(c) Target agricultural investment;
(d) Reinforce agricultural innovation systems by focusing on the enabling environment;
(e) Take into account local agro-ecological conditions;
(f) Explore the potential of global networks and value chains;
(g) Link national, regional and international agriculture research to innovation;
(h) Revitalize funding and strategies for research and development;
(i) Promote Linkages Within and Outside of the Agriculture Innovation System
(j) Engage in capacity building;
(k) International cooperation on technology transfer & technology sharing and
(l) Multilateral rule-making and policy space


The Report can be accessed here.