Knowledge for development

Can ACP smallholders reap the fruit and share in rewards through enhanced horticultural productivity? Will increased investments in horticultural research and development contribute to poverty alleviation? What is the role for advanced technologies? These and other questions are explored in this folder on horticulture for food and wealth. In her article Horticulture for food – responding to the challenges, Lusike A. Wasilwa, Ph.D. Assistant Director Horticulture and Industrial Crops from the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) shows that there is world to win with regard to enhancing horticultural productivity. Investments in research and development, knowledge and technologies, are needed to build human and infrastructural capacity. Technological advances offer opportunities for up-scaling the production of high value horticultural crops. But the decision-makers must be well informed about the opportunities and the risks. Olaf van Kooten, Professor Horticultural Production Chains, Wageningen University and Research Centre, focuses on value addition in horticultural supply chains. In his lead article, he shows how small producers can be integrated into high value horticultural chains to reap the rewards of such investments. The supporting links and documents provide information about horticultural research executed by organizations and institutions all over the world. Among the background information one can find articles that deal with genetic resources including neglected and underutilized species as well as articles providing information about technological advances such as the opportunities and challenges of biotechnology in the field of horticulture. This folder was prepared by KIT in collaboration with CTA. Edited by J.A. Francis (CTA) and Jacqueline Sluijs (KIT).
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In December 2003, CTA launched its website Knowledge for Development (see http://knowledge.cta.int). The website, which was redesigned in 2008, seeks to put information on Science and Technology (S&T) at the fingertips of ACP and EU scientists, policy makers, and other stakeholders to facilitate policy and strategy formulation to support ACP agricultural and rural development. The aim of this call is to establish a shortlist of firms that will be invited to send an offer (in either English or French) for the Content Management (Lot A) of the website and the Compilation of Folders (Lot B). 17/10/2008
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Photo: Gina Kane/CRS According to the World Water Council (2008), the priority areas for water professionals are: (1) water for health, water is an essential ingredient for life, hygiene, and public health; (2) water for food, water becomes increasingly a limiting resource for meeting the food requirements of a growing world population; and (3) water for energy, water is an important renewable energy resource (hydropower) especially with rising energy requirements and prices. At the same time energy is becoming a limiting factor for the provision of water for domestic purposes. World water equity or equitable access to potable water is a growing problem. 08/09/2008
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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 and more so since the advent of genetic engineering. This has culminated in an ever growing societal interest in agricultural practices and their consequences, thereby posing new challenges for agricultural research. 28/07/2008
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Should scientists contribute to research that improves the conversion of food crops into biofuels, if they know that in the short term this will lead to an increase in hunger? Should researchers work on developing non-sustainable irrigation projects that provide short term relief but do not address the real needs of communities for water for sustaining agricultural production? Should scientists conduct experiment trials with new foods and drugs using human subjects in poor countries where the policy, regulatory and legislative frameworks governing such trials do not exist? 28/07/2008
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Globalization and rapid advances in information and communication technologies are expanding the opportunities for collaboration and networking while simultaneously spurring competition among firms, nations and regions. Agricultural science graduates are expected to be critical thinkers, multi-disciplinary problem solvers and team players who are also “work ready”. ACP universities are challenged to produce these quality graduates while increasing their efficiency, relevance and effectiveness, in responding to societal needs. Yet, resources – financial and human, are dwindling and demand and competition among national, regional and international universities for staff, students and funding are increasing. In this folder, attempts are made to find answers to how best to reshape tertiary education in agriculture to meet future needs of ACP agricultural sector. Dr. Paul Kibwika, Makerere University, Uganda and Dr. Arjen Wals, Wageningen University & Research Centre, The Netherlands, plea for academics and scientists to break out of routines that reinforce the status quo, engage with students and the wider society and explore creative and unorthodox ways of solving complex problems to create learning platforms for change. Professor Michael Madukwe, Dean Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nigeria, Nigeria, provides a cluster approach to rethinking the way agricultural education is delivered. He focuses on knowledge; sustainability; globalization and collaboration, strategic policy and funding. Background information on strategies, best practices and case studies for reshaping ACP tertiary education is presented through links to related websites and relevant publications.
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This policy brief aims at mobilizing the ACP scientific community to provide knowledge-based leadership to safeguard and rebuild this vital resource for food and nutrition security and economic growth. ACP policy makers and regional and international donors are encouraged to increase investment to build the requisite ST&I capacity in ACP States. 20/03/2008
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