Depoliticising Biotechnology Research Key to Africa’s Agricultural Growth – Experts

By Abbas Nazil

Africa must depoliticise biotechnology research to fully harness science, technology, and innovation (STI) for economic transformation and sustainable agricultural development, experts have urged.

Meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, agricultural specialists from nine African nations stressed that low STI investment hinders Africa’s ability to utilise biotechnology for agricultural progress.

The experts, from universities, research institutions, governments, and the private sector, advocated for increased STI research funding, making it a national priority rather than a partisan issue.

They pointed to countries like the United States, Brazil, Argentina, China, and South Africa, which have successfully leveraged biotechnology for agricultural and economic advancement.

Despite the African Union’s Agenda 2030 and the STI Strategy for Africa 2024 (STISA 2024), only a few African nations have integrated STI into their policies and institutional frameworks.

Political will, backed by legal frameworks, funding, capacity-building, and technology development, is necessary to domesticate STISA 2024.

Experts, including Richard Oduor from Kenya’s Kenyatta University, highlighted the need for greater investment in STI and biotechnology research to empower African scientists in solving local agricultural challenges.

They urged governments to allocate at least 2 percent of GDP to research, as outlined in Agenda 2063, to drive sustainable development and food security.

Collaboration between research institutions and industries must be strengthened, with a shift towards biotechnology commercialisation.

A framework that goes beyond traditional public-private partnerships, ensuring reinvestment in national technology ecosystems, is crucial.

Encouraging youth participation in STI through incentives will also foster innovation.

African farmers, vulnerable to climate change, require technological solutions to enhance productivity.

Canisius Kanangire, executive director of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), called for political and private sector investment in agricultural research to address food insecurity.

He urged African scientists to collaborate on cross-learning initiatives, regulatory policies, and commercialisation strategies to drive real development.

Dr Florence Uwamahoro of Rwanda’s Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to biotechnology adoption in agriculture.

She highlighted the need for public engagement in research and lauded initiatives like AATF’s Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology for fostering awareness.

However, mistrust between policymakers and researchers due to political interference remains a barrier to research adoption.

Dr Bessy Kathambi from the University of Nairobi noted that while politicisation can be an advocacy tool, it often diverts research funds and hinders agricultural innovation.

Addressing this mistrust is essential for Africa to embrace biotechnology and improve agricultural productivity.