Africa’s economic development hinged on integrating research & innovation

Africa's economic development is intricately linked to the transformation of its agricultural sector through research and innovation initiatives. Sarah Hearne, Chief Science & Innovation Officer at the International Maize & Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), emphasized the critical importance of agricultural science in enhancing food security and stimulating economic growth on the continent during a recent interview with CNBC Africa. Hearne highlighted the need for African countries to move away from subsistence farming practices and embrace agriculture as a business in order to lower import dependency on food. By integrating advanced research and innovation technologies into farming practices, Africa can significantly boost crop yields, livestock productivity, and fish farming system productivity. These efforts not only enhance food security but also have profound impacts on economic growth, livelihood improvement, and poverty reduction. The key theme of the interview revolved around how agricultural research and innovation can foster Africa's economic development and propel the continent towards self-sufficiency and sustainability in the agricultural sector. Hearne underscored the pivotal role of governments and partners in investing in improved crop breeding systems and farm management practices to achieve substantial returns and reduce import dependence. Initiatives such as the development of drought-tolerant maize varieties have already benefited millions of households in sub-Saharan Africa and contributed to enhanced livelihoods for smallholder farmers. Hearne explained that equitable access to agricultural technology is not just a moral imperative but also a business issue. By leveraging modern science techniques to drive innovation in agriculture, countries can address unique challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, and shift towards sustainable farming methods. Hearne's long-term vision for Africa's R&D involves supporting the continent in becoming self-reliant and robust in agricultural research and development. She emphasized CIMMYT's commitment to facilitating partnerships, building capabilities, and sharing expertise to empower African research scientists, extension agents, and farmers in co-innovating solutions for the agricultural sector. Looking towards the future, Hearne expressed her hope for renewed engagement and partnership to translate the benefits of agricultural R&D and science into tangible impact on farmers' fields and livelihoods. She called for broader support within and outside the continent to drive scaled progress in agricultural R&D capabilities, ultimately fostering a bright agricultural future for Africa.