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Achieving the desired transformation in the agricultural sector requires the sustained application of science, technology and innovation (STI), concluded a high-level conference on the use of STI to transform food production and ensure food security.

"Growing food insecurity due to the underperforming agricultural sector and Africa's poor politics are further complicated by the impacts of climate change and the emergence of new crop diseases," said Uganda's Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation at the opening of the conference held recently in Kampala.

Africa's agricultural sector "requires the application of science and technology to mitigate impacts", said Dr Elioda Tumwesigye.

Africa's total annual food imports are estimated at US$35 billion, and are expected to reach US$110 billion by 2025. The agricultural sector employs around 70% of the continent's workforce. Experts argue that most imported food products can be grown on the continent.

African governments and development partners have set ambitious targets to reverse this situation. The use of research results, new technologies and crop varieties is at the heart of these solutions.

As the largest sub-regional research organization on the continent, working in 23 countries with over 430 million people, the Council for Agricultural Research and Development in West and Central Africa (CORAF) was invited to bring its experience and knowledge to bear on this challenge.

"Many of CORAF's solutions, both in terms of contributing to the creation and promotion of new crop varieties and technologies, and in helping countries to put in place science-based regulations and policies, are already making a difference in the region," according to Dr Lamien, regional coordinator of the WAPP program at CORAF.

Over the past ten years, CORAF's West African Agricultural Productivity Program has helped to develop nearly 200 technologies, reaching around 8 million people directly, and 47 million indirectly. Many West African countries now have seed regulation frameworks thanks to CORAF's political support.

To better fulfill its coordinating role in the West and Central African region, and to meet new research challenges, the Dakar-based research institution is currently revising its strategy. Addressing pressing food and nutrition challenges while helping countries use agriculture to manage the crucial issues of youth employment, migration, gender, climate change and sustainability are at the heart of the new strategy.

Benefits of ITS

Biotechnology has many benefits for the agricultural sector. Not only do they stimulate economic growth insofar as they lead to higher crop yields and improved incomes for farmers, but they can also improve livelihoods by enhancing nutritional value.

With ITS, the conference also noted that food safety, environmental sustainability and competitive agricultural products could be enhanced.

Political will

The conference also noted that while political will has been essential to the adoption of ITS in other parts of the world, this has not always been the case in Africa.

Lack of political will, restrictive policies, low public investment and access to technologies have hampered progress in using ITS to transform agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa.

The conference therefore called for political commitment at the highest level to change the trajectory. Such support requires science policy, and the adoption of regulatory frameworks that facilitate research, development and deployment of biotech crops.