Research News

The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) has provided a valuable contribution to the consultation on DFID's new research strategy, with responses to questions on research opportunities for sustainable agriculture, the importance of education and training, and how new technologies can be used by developing countries.

In response to the question 'How can research contribute to growth in equitable, socially responsible and sustainable ways in Africa?' FARA suggests that research should be conducted on the use of information and communications technology (ICT) tools in the following areas

1. Sharing knowledge
2. Improving access to global on-line research in agriculture
3. Environmental management
4. Risk management and adaptation to climatic change
5. Risk management and crop insurance
6. Rural credit
7. Agricultural extension
8. Market information

In response to the question 'How can governments promote the right kinds of education and technical skills for the world of work?' FARA highlights the problems associated with inadequate funding of agricultural education in Africa, which are having serious impacts on research institutions engaged in agricultural research. It stresses the need for research on agricultural capacity building, the development of clear recommendations for revitalising agricultural teaching and training, and promotion of agriculture as a career of choice.

In response to the question 'How can developing countries harness new technologies and investment to accelerate growth and what technological innovations can best raise agricultural productivity?,' FARA highlights:

• the importance of involving stakeholders in developing new technologies to increase the likelihood of their adoption
• the need to ensure that technological innovations are driven by market demands
• the need to have other essential links in the commodity chain already in place

FARA's recent consultation with both African and non-African stakeholders on the factors affecting adoption of the results of research and the proposal for an innovation systems approach is described. This approach has been called integrating agricultural research for development (IAR4D) and it considers agricultural productivity together with markets, natural resource management and policy.

To read the full contribution from FARA click here. See also the blog item here.

For more information on the consultation process, view the feature article Consultation on DFID's Research Strategy or go to the project record for the DFID Research Strategy Consultation.