Science and Technology Mailing List Archive

["James BISCOE" <<address removed>>]

I agree with Richard Gibson and Berga Lemaga.
I would add that in my experience there are more ways of 'developing'
improved varieties than a complex breeding programme. Selection from amongst
existing  materials for desirable traits (for instance resistance to a
disease) and the subsequent multiplication of the elite lines is a lower
cost more readily undertaken enterprise, which can produce results, and
respond to changes in demand, relatively quickly.
It is also perhaps important to note that improved varieties (or indeed
other technologies) alone does not necessarily improve matters if, for
instance, a large amount of imported fertiliser, or sophisticated irrigation
to overcome sensitivity to drought are required to make them productive. But
I assume I am preaching to the already converted on this?
An important question is what makes a technology take off? If it takes off
it is usually, in my experience, because farmers perceive significant
economic advantage from it. The reverse is true if it does not take off!
Thanks
James Biscoe
14/5/04
0900hrs
----- Original Message -----
From: "BERGA" <<address removed>>
To: <<address removed>>
Sent: Thursday, May 13, 2004 9:49 AM


> 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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