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Science Can Help Small Farmers Feed Africa

In a story by Kanayo Nwanze of the International Fund for Agricultural Development and Clement Kofi Humado in AllAfrica, the need for agricultural research was underlined.

“While spending on agricultural research in sub-Saharan Africa grew by 20 per cent between 2001 and 2008, most of that growth was in just a few countries. Only eight of 31 countries have met the target for agricultural research and development investment of 1 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), which was set at the 2004 African Union Summit in Khartoum, Sudan,” they observed in AllAfrica.

Citing the fact that growth generated by agriculture is 11 times more effective in reducing poverty than growth in other sectors, they encouraged countries to focus on the benefits of science to agriculture.

Robynne Anderson

Robynne has extensive experience in the agriculture and food sector, working throughout the value chain – from basic inputs to farmers in the field to the grocery store shelf. She works internationally in the sector, including speaking at the United Nations on agriculture and food issues, and representing the International Agri-Food Network at the UN.Throughout her career she has worked with farm organisations like the Prairie Oat Growers Association, the National Smallholder Farmers Association of Malawi and the Himalayan Farmers Association, as well as global groups, to further the voice of agriculture in the food debate. She has also worked with Fortune 500 companies growing worldwide businesses to assist them with issues management and strategy decisions.

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