Perspective: Investing in research and promoting trade are critical for Africa's agricultural transformation Online publication date: Sat, 05-Jul-2014
by Umezuruike Linus Opara
International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation (IJPTI), Vol. 3, No. 1, 2013
Abstract: Africa is now in desperate need of entrepreneurial political leadership which seeks innovative and sustainable development pathways to address the plethora of current and emerging socio-economic and environmental challenges facing the continent. To meet the growing and changing economic aspirations of the largely young population, major productivity increases in agriculture and trade in value-added goods within and with the rest of the world are needed to create new economic and employment opportunities. This requires a major paradigm shift in the way Africa does business with its partners: moving away from heavy reliance on foreign aid and export of raw agricultural and other industrial materials to a new era of negotiated and mutually beneficial economic partnerships and trade. This new path for Africa's economic development must be underpinned by strong and sustained investment in Africa's innovation systems, including research to support and promote value addition, product development and manufacturing.
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