Science and Technology Mailing List Archive

[BERGA <<address removed>>]

I have just joined the discussion because of some communication 
difficulties. I confess that I have not followed all the discussions 
adequately but I want to comment on Dr. Richard Gibson's point on 
"Investment on Technologies."

I totally agree with Richard that investment in technology is extremely 
important for increasing the income of the poor. I have not yet read the 
paper he mentioned, but from what Richard narrates I can witness that what 
the authors raise is true. We can give so many examples of success stories 
in eastern and central Africa, where investing in demand-driven 
technologies improved the living standards of rural communities in target 
areas. The technologies are variable, but for this discussion let me stick 
to improved varieties following the example given by Richard. The new crop 
varieties available in SSA are not only high yielding and disease 
resistant, but some are more nutritious such as Orange-fleshed Sweet Potato 
(OFSP) varieties. OFSP are rich in beta carotene, a pre-cursor of vitamin 
A. Vitamin A deficiency in SSA is believed to be one of the leading causes 
of infant mortality, night blindness, poor health of pregnant and lactating 
mothers. Vitamin A capsules cannot rich remote areas so the food-based 
approach using OFSP remains to be the best solution

A few farmers have reported that the eye sights of their children 
remarkably improved and/or eye sight problems were solved after feeding 
them with OFSP for about two to three months. Similarly, the poor living 
with HIV/AIDS claimed that their health improved after they had frequented 
eating OFSP (not backed by scientific proof, though). This increased the 
demand for OFSP, as a result farmers that grow such varieties reportedly 
increased their incomes significantly. These farmers have built permanent 
houses, could afford to pay school fees for their children, better 
connected to sources of information (own cell phones, bicycles, vehicles), 
etc. Investing in technologies goes beyond improvement of income to health 
and social welfare.

I just want to emphasize that investing in technologies should not be 
limited to generation of appropriate technologies, but it should include 
effective dissemination the technologies with the necessary institutional 
support for sustainablity.

Berga Lemaga



__________________________________________
Berga Lemaga
PRAPACE Network, Plot 106, Katalima Road, Naguru
P.O.Box 22274, Kampala, Uganda
Tel: +256 41 286209, +256 77 696808
Mobile: +256 77 696808
Fax: +256 41 286947
Email: <address removed>, <address removed>, <address removed>
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