Science can be the catalyst
to begin Africa's recovery
Pest Management Group: Focus on Africa: using science to
improve agriculture and alleviate poverty
 For
many years, the continent of Africa has been pushed into the
public consciousness, and it is currently at the forefront
of debate as the richer nations of the world make great statements
about aid, education, support and cancelling debt. From the
original Band Aid events in 1984 to the Live8 concerts timed
to heighten awareness of the G8 meetings in Scotland in July
2005, vast sums of money have been raised to combat Africa’s
problems, yet much of the continent is still overwhelmed by
poverty and famine.
Africa is a scar on the conscience of us all — it struggles
to stand still, let alone advance. Almost all African nations
are ravaged by diseases such as Aids and malaria. Eleven million
children die each year from curable diseases and in many African
countries, debt repayments hugely outweigh the money they
can spend on health care. The problems of disease increase
inexorably.
Crops fail through lack of rainfall or irrigation; they are
consumed by insect pests, over-run by weeds and succumb to
fungal and bacterial diseases. When stored they are further
ravaged by insects, rodents and fungi and so people go hungry.
Farmers are also often too weak to maintain their crops because
of illness.
Debt relief must be a good thing as it would free more funds
to address such fundamentals as agriculture, health and education,
but it is important to ensure that money no longer needed
to pay debt is used wisely by African governments to improve
health and for agricultural extension services. Exports from
all 53 African countries need to be increased — a 1%
increase in African exports would generate income in excess
of $40bn.
Hence, aid for Africa should not just concentrate on increasing
crop productivity; it must do all it can to alleviate the
menace of the debilitating effects of human disease so that
farmers have the strength and energy to grow crops.
These crops must be protected and stored efficiently. In
some areas, development of small irrigation systems is essential,
as rainfall is so unpredictable. But they must also be developed
so that they are not only sold overseas as a source of revenue,
but are co-ordinated with local industries so that value can
be added to maximise the return from a fully integrated exporting
system. Why is it cheaper for a Tanzanian farmer to buy US
rice than to grow his own? How can he compete in the export
market when this is commonplace?
It is through the input of organisations such as SCI, the
British Crop Production Council (BCPC) and the Tropical Agriculture
Association (TAA) that the need for a holistic approach rather
than just reducing debt or changing subsidies can be demonstrated.
The chemical industry must play a role in improving health
and productivity. SCI, BCPC and TAA have the opportunity to
act together as the catalyst to help the nations of Africa
convert agriculture and forestry, not only to fight poverty
but to allow Africa to make continuous economic progress so
that eventually the entire continent can participate fully
in the industrialisation and globalisation processes of today’s
world.
There is a common perception that everything in Africa is
a failure. On the contrary, in a number of areas Africa has
excelled, particularly where there have been foreign partnerships
associated with developing market penetration (eg cocoa plantations,
cut flowers for export, pyrethrum extracts and coffee plantations).
Identifying success stories coupled with market development
and international partnerships is the way to help African
countries.
This conference, scheduled for 3–4 November 2005 at Belgrave
Square, London, immediately follows the BCPC 2005 Crop Science
& Technology Congress in Glasgow, so overseas delegates
have the opportunity to maximise their visit by attending
both events.
The conference will give delegates the opportunity to see
what science is doing to help; to determine which programmes
are effective; to identify mechanisms to break this cycle
of poverty and despair; to put the Focus on Africa. It is
also a stepping stone in linking agriculture and business.
By Len Copping, SCI Pest Management Group
|
