Science and Technology Mailing List Archive

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I just wanted to follow up on some of the issues raised by Mr Catley and in
general on proposing how we move forward on science and technology and
providing trade opportunities in agriculture (livestock). 
 
Allow me to introduce myself. I am a DFID employee on leave, working at the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the Department of Technical
Cooperation, Africa Section. I am an economist by training, but my role as a
country officer for 5 countries in Africa, involves applying management
techniques to help the countries use nuclear related technology to help meet
their development goals. Some of the techniques are very scientific and my
explanations may appear basic, but I can always contact my colleagues at the
IAEA to provide a more scientific description of the areas of cooperation. 
I saw from the majority of the discussions, that there is a lot of analysis
on the problem and how complex it is, ie what works and doesn't work. This
was part of the work carried out by my former department, International
Trade Department, at DFID, where my colleagues were working on intelligible
ways of trying to raise the profile of CAP reform and where we worked with
Simon Maxwell et al on the role of agricultural trade in development.
However, I think that we should focus on some possible solutions and this is
where what I am currently doing comes in.
At the IAEA, there are 2 mechanisms for supporting developing countries;
(i) Research & Development. Jointly with institutes and laboratories
worldwide, the IAEA supports research and development on critical problems
facing developing countries. Work targets food, health, water, and
environmental areas where nuclear and radiation technologies can make a
difference. On average these programmes are around $10,000 and are operated
by the technical divisions.
(ii) Technical Cooperation. The IAEA supports cooperative projects achieving
tangible social and economic benefits for people in developing countries.
Many channels and partnerships provide expert services, specialized
equipment, training, and other types of support. The average TC project is
about $150,000 over 2 years and the projects are managed by the TC
Department.
I have seen some discussions on the mix between TC and research. I too agree
that very little is being done in developing countries on scientific
research, particularly the type that can lead to real benefits for the poor.
However as you can see from above, the majority of the IAEAs money in this
area is channelled through TC and not through the research and technical
departments. This however is not an IAEA decision but is to do with the
member states and the funding mechanism for the TC fund, which is actually
separated from the IAEAs regular budget. Concerning the TC strategy, money
cannot be used for research purposes. However the technical division s and
the TC department work very closely together in delivering the TC
programmes. The IAEA is very active in human health, water management and
agriculture. For the purposes of this forum, I will highlight some examples
in agriculture. The technical division primarily responsible for delivery
projects in food and agriculture is actually a joint FAO/IAEA Division. Main
programmes are in (i) plant breeding and genetics, (ii) soil and water
management and crop nutrition, (iii) animal production and health, (iv)
insect and pest control and (v) food and environmental protection. By
accessing this site you can get a lot more info on the programmes and
upcoming events - 
http://www.iaea.org/programmes/nafa/dx/index.html
In Animal health particularly, the IAEA has been instrumental in giving the
capacity to African scientist/laboratories to diagnose animal disease better
as such diseases hamper trade both within Africa and outside. This was done
in partnership with the African Union technical body, the Inter African
Bureau for Animal Resources (IBAR). IBAR has been a recipient of EU funds
for many years in this sector. The focus is on trying to get the rest of
sub-Saharan Africa up to speed with the SADC region. There have been
numerous successes, where some countries are now free from the diseases
(rinderpest) that now allows them to export livestock and livestock
products. Even in the SADC region, where export to Europe has been on-going
for many years, the IAEA is still helping the SADC region to maintain
standards at their respective laboratories to help them maintain and not
loose their lucrative markets in Europe. 
However more needs to be done;
More research and TA is still needed for the majority of the African
countries. There are approximately 7 main diseases [ Rinderpest, CBPP, Rift
Valley Fever (RVF), PPR, Newcastle Disease, Africa Swine Fever (ASF) and
Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)]
and each needs special attention in many ways. For example, there may be a
need to develop seperate diagnostic kits and vaccines where relevant/cost
effective. Some have a big impact on rural communities, for example the
Newcastle disease affects chickens, which are the main source of income for
many women in rural communities. However it is important that the technology
be provided to give the opportunity to the rural livestock holders at the
very least to trade both nationally and internationally. Once these disease
are controlled and hopefully eradicated, an opportunity would have been
created to help these communities out of poverty. Complementary programmes
and policies in animal production (artificial insemination and animal
nutrition) would also be needed and the IAEA also has a major role in
providing this technology to help solve these problems. The IAEA mandate and
budget is both limited and small and other donors would ideally be needed to
collaborate in solving these problems. IAEA would obviously play a major
part in bringing the technology to any future programme with donors and
possibly DFID. 
Work would also have to be done in trying to build the capacity at the
relevant institutions in these countries to trade internationally. This is
another area for donors to come in; in trying to help the potential
countries meet the standards set by the WTO. 
I am a bit conscious of the length of this e-mail, but will add more in due
course on the other areas of focus at the IAEA depending on the flow of
discussion/interest on this topic.
 
  
Mr Muhammed Lameen Abdul-Malik
Programme Management Officer
Africa Section
Department of Technical Co-operation
International Atomic Energy Agency
Wagramer Strasse 5
PO Box 100
A-1400 Vienna
Austria.

 


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