Achieving poverty alleviation, particularly in rural areas, will require aid to agriculture, on which three-quarters of the world’s poorest depend for their livelihoods. Representatives from the International Fund for Agricultural Development, a UN agency dedicated to eradicating rural poverty, came to the first World Intellectual Property Organization conference on key global challenges 13-14 July to discuss how intellectual property could be of use in those goals. IFAD is led by Kanayo Nwanze, of Nigeria, who took the position in February 2009.
Intellectual Property Watch asked Nwanze to explain how to best create incentives for technology development aimed at helping smallholding farmers increase their production (as much agricultural technology to date has been aimed at large agribusinesses). Intellectual Property Watch also asked if steps could be taken to avoid the environmental fallout of the last great leap forward in agricultural production, the so-called Green Revolution of 1965-85, and how IP might influence the creation of that technology. Watch his answers in the videocasts below.
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aimed at smallholding, poor farmers. ( length – 4:42)
Videocast: Play in new window | Download
Videocast: Play in new window | Download
Hi,
Africa has the capability to feed its own continent and even export if right strategies and technology are in place. Also, Harvard University professor Calestous JUma has published a book called The New Harvest. He is basically urging African leaders to make agricultural expansion central to all decision-making.
You can check my site on current issues/news and information about Africa.
Regards,
oleafrica