1. Bioscience Technology, for poverty alleviation in Africa
Application of biosciences technology in agriculture[1] will not only improve the agriculture
scene of the region, but can significantly contribute towards poverty alleviation in Africa,
provided the government and scientists collaborate in the policy making process especially
in the areas pertaining to the problems of poverty such as health, education and housing
among others [2].
The projects that address climate change; food security; use of waste for energy
production and access of clean water, can indeed be effectively put to reduce poverty and
vulnerability. “A bioscience innovation system is evolving in eastern Africa. The people and
organisations are there; they just need to interact better”, said Julius Ecuru at the First Bio-
Innovate Regional Scientific Conference, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, February 2013 [3].
Similarly in the mid of March this year, journalists gathered in Accra, Ghana to learn about
the prospects of Biosciences and they found that the farmers are open to modern methods
and infact the acknowledge the importance of novel technical aids for the improvement of
Ghanian crops such as cassava, cowpea, rice and cocoa [4]. But in order to realise this
dream, scientists will have to get into business, whereas the entrepreneurs will be required
to help create new markets.
These efforts will not only create job opportunities, but will also encourage young students
of the region to pursue a career in bioscience and initiate small enterprises. “Population
will also start to realise the importance of science and view it as an ally to the solution of
their problems” [2]. A better knowledge economy and rapid reduction in poverty and
vulnerability are the obvious results of such initiatives.
South Africa [5], Brazil [2], among others have already realised the importance of
biosciences in the process of development and poverty eradication, and are thus
enthusiastically striving to incorporate biosciences as a cornerstone in the countryʼs
infrastructure.
Although there are people who hold the view that biosciences would not be of much help
in countryʼs developmental goals [6] but entrepreneur such as Bill Gates [7] and scientist
such as Dr. Will Turner [8] are actively encouraging bioscience ventures.
Bioscience technology is a blessing for both, east and west Africa. Since on one hand it
will cause improvement in agriculture and on other hand it will cause rapid reduction in
poverty levels.
![Bioscience Technology, for poverty alleviation in Africa
Application of biosciences technology in agriculture[1] will not only improve the agriculture
scene of the region, but can significantly contribute towards poverty alleviation in Africa,
provided the government and scientists collaborate in the policy making process especially
in the areas pertaining to the problems of poverty such as health, education and housing
among others [2].
The projects that address climate change; food security; use of waste for energy
production and access of clean water, can indeed be effectively put to reduce poverty and
vulnerability. “A bioscience innovation system is evolving in eastern Africa. The people and
organisations are there; they just need to interact better”, said Julius Ecuru at the First Bio-
Innovate Regional Scientific Conference, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, February 2013 [3].
Similarly in the mid of March this year, journalists gathered in Accra, Ghana to learn about
the prospects of Biosciences and they found that the farmers are open to modern methods
and infact the acknowledge the importance of novel technical aids for the improvement of
Ghanian crops such as cassava, cowpea, rice and cocoa [4]. But in order to realise this
dream, scientists will have to get into business, whereas the entrepreneurs will be required
to help create new markets.
These efforts will not only create job opportunities, but will also encourage young students
of the region to pursue a career in bioscience and initiate small enterprises. “Population
will also start to realise the importance of science and view it as an ally to the solution of
their problems” [2]. A better knowledge economy and rapid reduction in poverty and
vulnerability are the obvious results of such initiatives.
South Africa [5], Brazil [2], among others have already realised the importance of
biosciences in the process of development and poverty eradication, and are thus
enthusiastically striving to incorporate biosciences as a cornerstone in the countryʼs
infrastructure.
Although there are people who hold the view that biosciences would not be of much help
in countryʼs developmental goals [6] but entrepreneur such as Bill Gates [7] and scientist
such as Dr. Will Turner [8] are actively encouraging bioscience ventures.
Bioscience technology is a blessing for both, east and west Africa. Since on one hand it
will cause improvement in agriculture and on other hand it will cause rapid reduction in
poverty levels.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/bio-africa-poverty-130403224437-phpapp01/85/Bio-africa-poverty-1-320.jpg)
![[1] http://www.scidev.net/en/science-and-innovation-policy/news/bioscience-should-
underpin-african-agriculture-meeting-hears.html
[2] http://www.interacademies.net/File.aspx?id=21288
[3] http://www.slideshare.net/ILRI/bio-innovate2013-bipcea
[4] http://www.b4fa.org/ghanas-b4fa-media-fellows-absorb-scientific-knowledge/
[5] http://www.nepad.org/nepad/news/2800/nepad-conference-evaluate-impact-bioscience-
poverty-alleviation-and-development
[6] http://www.agbioforum.org/v2n34/v2n34a03-altieri.htm
[7] http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/taxonomy/term/35779/130226/gates-and-slim-
inaugurate-bioscience-center-mexico
[8] http://www.conservation.org/publications/Pages/Will-Turner_Global-Biodiversity-
Conservation-Alleviation-of-Poverty.aspx](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)