Biotech Updates

Scientists Point Out that Africa Needs Technological Transformation in Agri

October 11, 2017

Experts are calling for agricultural innovations to help improve food security on the continent. "There is tacit evidence that African governments and farmers are not committed to use of science in agriculture," said Dr. Cyprian Ebong, Executive Director of the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA), during a high level conference on application of science, technology and innovation in harnessing African agricultural transformation at Speke Resort, Munyonyo, Uganda. 

The conference organized by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation of Uganda and the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) gathered around 100 scientists, civil society representatives and government officials from across the continent. The discussions were focused on how technology can be applied to help transform agriculture on the continent.

Dr. Rose Maxwell Gidado, Coordinator of the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Nigeria, expressed her concern about the negative impact of climate change. "Climate change exacerbates pests and disease outbreakā€¦ It is our responsibility to deliver Africa out of starvation, hunger and poverty. Encourage, invest in and adopt science," she stressed.

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