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Working Group 1.7
The role of science and technological innovation in supporting rural livelihoods. Science and technology for smallholder farming
English speaking working group
Resource persons
-
Monty Jones (FARA) - Olivier Husson (CIRAD)
- Jean-Luc Khalfaoui (European Commission / DG Research)
- Lies Craeynest (UK Food Group/ WWF)
Moderator
Questions to guide working group discussions
- Why has spending on science and technology been neglected despite evidence of its high returns?
- What can we learn from the successes in introducing improved crop practices and varieties in Africa?
- How can we promote research on the so-called “orphan” crops that have typically been neglected in agricultural research programmes, but are important to the livelihoods of the poor? How can we promote more research in sectors beyond crops, such as livestock and fisheries?
- Can GM and other modern biotechnologies help the poor?
- What techniques should be promoted for areas with low and uncertain rainfall?
- How can the poor benefit from Information and Communication Technologies? What kinds of innovations need to be promoted to maximise these benefits?
- What is the role of science and technology in adapting to climate change?
- What are the prospects for a Green Revolution in Africa?
- How can we make sure that research gets adopted by farmers?
- What are the implications for development strategies, and what do donors need to do differently?
These questions illustrate the range of issues that could be addressed by the working groups. While they should not be considered to be the only issues that may be discussed, and participants are at liberty to raise others that fall within the scope of the working groups, presenters are asked to consider giving priority to some of these questions.
Please note that all working groups are asked to consider: What are the implications for development strategies, and what do donors need to do differently?
partners: 
European Commission. Directorate General Development and Relations with African, Caribbean and Pacific States | Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations | Global Donor Platform for Rural Development | Department for International Development (DFID), UK | Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany | Irish Aid, Department of Foreign Affairs, Ireland | Ministry of Foreign Affairs, France | Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Development Cooperation, The Netherlands | Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Switzerland | Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation ACP-EU (CTA) | Deutsche Gesellschaft für technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH, Germany | InWEnt Capacity - Building International, Germany
Oliver Husson
