Fara Announces Science Agenda For Agriculture In Africa

JOHANNESBURG - Dec. 4, 2014 - PRLog -- Africa’s future 10 years from now

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, December 04, 2014 - What does the future for African agricultural development look like ten years from now?

The Science Agenda for Agriculture in Africa envisions that by 2030 Africa is food and nutrition secure, a global scientific player, and the world’s food-basket.  At the conference today, the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) announced its Science Agenda for Agriculture in Africa (S3A).  “This is a major program for the continent over the next decade,” says Calestous Juma, Professor at Harvard Kennedy School and Visiting Professor at MIT  (2014-2015).

Connecting science to transform agriculture in Africa

S3A refers to the science, technology, extension, innovations, policy and social learning that Africa needs to apply in order to meet its evolving agricultural development goals.  “The document was developed by FARA and its stakeholders and was approved by African Heads of State at a strategic meeting in Equatorial Guinea a few months ago.”  Over 570 delegates from around the world convened in Johannesburg for the ‘Celebrate FARA’ Conference during 26 – 28 November 2014.  “It was an opportune moment as we reached the culmination of this important week, to share the document in detail with the stakeholders who will carry it forward to deliver Africa’s future through science-led agricultural transformation,” said Prof. Juma.   “Without the catalytic role of a Science Agenda, the transformation dream will only be a mirage.”  No nation has achieved social and economic growth without using the power of science.

Unlocking potential

Africa needs to use science and technology to leverage more value out of the resources available on the continent and African leaders will have to invest more of their own resources in this area.  FARAs principal investments will continue to be in the research and development efforts focused on target populations, themes and production environments.

How are we ensuring the 2030 target is met?

Getting the S3A operational requires integrating sciences more effectively, connecting science to end-users with greater impact, and strengthening the sciences and their application to agriculture.

The Science Agenda highlights the need to sensitise and align all actions around a common vision and framework.  It takes a multi-sector approach to development and is informed by relevant developments in other sectors beyond agriculture, so as to leverage agricultural science and technology even more efficiently.

ENDS

Shantall Ramatsui

Communications Consultant

VaShant PR Solutions

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Celebrating FARA 26 – 28 November 2014, Birchwood Hotel

Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) is the apex organization charged with the strategic role of coordinating agricultural research and development in Africa. FARA weaves together key networks and stakeholders on the continent and globally to reinforce the capacity of Africa to improve its agricultural science and innovation for food security and poverty reduction. FARA was established as an independent organization in 2002. It is based in Accra, Ghana. (www.faraafrica.org)