West African, Central American conferences explore science-based solutions for accelerating agricultural productivity

AgExporter, Dec, 2004 by Eric Van Chantfort

Two regional conferences an ocean apart brought the message and promise of agricultural science and technology to Central America and West Africa earlier this year.

The participants, including government ministers and several heads of state, discussed the costs and benefits of specific technologies as well as the larger issues of hunger, poverty and economic development. They emerged with new initiatives and commitments to strengthen cooperation, expand local scientific expertise and increase access to beneficial agricultural and food technologies, including biotechnology.

USDA cosponsored the regional conferences as part of the broader effort to continue the work begun at the June 2003 Ministerial Conference and Expo on Agricultural Science and Technology in Sacramento, CA. That groundbreaking conference drew high-level officials, researchers and other delegates from 117 nations, at the invitation of U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann M. Veneman (see AgExporter, November 2003).

It was one of the largest gatherings ever to address the role that science and technology, combined with supportive policies, can play in helping developing countries raise their agricultural productivity.

According to international experts, even small productivity gains can make a big difference in the lives of chronically hungry people, who number nearly 850 million worldwide. For agriculture-dependent, low-income economies, increased productivity in the farm and food chain can reduce hunger, improve nutrition and health, elevate living standards and spur economic growth.

Like the 2003 Sacramento ministerial, the two regional follow-up conferences brought political leaders together with scientists and other experts to share ideas on technologies, policies and partnerships to boost productivity in an environmentally sustainable way.

Secretary Veneman led the U.S. delegation to the Central American conference in Costa Rica, May 10-11, 2004. Under Secretary J.B. Penn, who heads USDA's Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, led U.S. participation at the West African conference held in Burkina Faso June 21-23. The U.S. Department of State and USAID (the U.S. Agency for International Development) joined USDA in cosponsoring the ministerial conferences.

Local cosponsors of the Central American conference included Costa Rica's Ministry of Agriculture, its Ministry of Science and Technology, and IICA (the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture). Seven Central American countries, Mexico and the Dominican Republic participated along with the United States.

The Burkina Faso Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Fisheries Resources hosted and cosponsored the West African conference, which was also endorsed by the Economic Community of West African States, the West African Economic and Monetary Union and the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the . Fourteen West African countries were among the 22 countries represented.

West Africa Embraces Biotech's Promise

Technology-themed banners adorned the city as delegates to the three-day West African ministerial met in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso's capital. Four of the region's presidents--Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso, John Kufuor of Ghana, Amadou Toumani Toure of Mali and Mamadou Tandja of Niger--participated in the opening ceremonies and presented remarks.

The initial proposal for a West African regional conference had come from Burkina Faso's government. Like many of its neighbors in sub-Saharan Africa, Burkina Faso is a proud but poor country. Average per capita income is less than $1 a day, and an estimated 80 percent of the population relies on subsistence agriculture.

In addition to the presidents, the conference attracted 18 ministers and more than 300 total delegates, as well as African, European and international press. Representing the United States, Under Secretary Penn was accompanied by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Pamela E. Bridgewater and other USDA, State Department and USAID officials.

Officially titled the Ministerial Conference on Harnessing Science and Technology To Increase Agricultural Productivity in Africa: West African Perspectives, it featured more than 40 presentations by high-level officials, scientists and other experts from Africa, the United States, Europe and other regions around the world.

In her videotaped welcome message, Secretary Veneman said, "Our goal is to support and accelerate technological progress within Africa. We want to increase access to beneficial agricultural and food technologies, and to help build scientific capacity and expertise within Africa."

She also announced that Africans would be among the first group of participants in the new Norman E. Borlaug International Science and Technology Fellows Program. Launched by USDA in March 2004, the Borlaug program funds short-term, U.S.-based scientific training and exchange for researchers, policy makers, agribusiness people and university faculty in developing countries, with special emphasis on Africa, South America and Asia.