Emerging technologies can work for Africa only if the climate is right

Abstract

The Report identifies red and green biotechnologies as important ingredients often overlooked as a basis for sustainable development. The recent advances in biotechnologies offer crops that have greater yields, resist pests and diseases, and offer other positive nutritional, health, and environmental attribute. The Report notes that Africa, which depends heavily on agriculture – contributing 30% of Gross Domestic Product and 70% of employment – stands to benefit from any technology that can increase the production of food, enhance its nutritional quality, and minimize the exploitation of forests and marginal lands. Illustrating the range and nature of current risks and opportunities inherent in the biotechnologies, the Report focuses on how to ensure that poor farmers in Africa stand to gain. the Report states that achieving sustainable development will require the production of regional and global public goods, services or resources whose benefits are shared among countries in a region or more broadly.