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Scientists at African universities, agricultural experts and journalists are determined to bridge the information gap between researchers and farmers to curb Africa’s food and nutrition security challenges.
The scientists are working closely with the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) and the media to disseminate informed knowledge on managing the continent’s food systems and agricultural development. They aim to connect agricultural biotechnology research to the public and create greater awareness and understanding of its scientifically proven benefits.
AATF Executive Director Dr Canisius Kanangire said the role of journalists is crucial to the smooth transfer of essential agricultural information from the researcher into the hands of those who need it most – the smallholder farmers of Africa.
“Scientists and journalists can drive the transformative changes required to reduce food and nutrition insecurity as the true foundation of sustainable development in Sub-Saharan Africa,” Kanangire told University World News.
Collaboration between scientists and the media aims at curbing misinformation and disinformation around agricultural biotechnology to help debunk the myths and distortions, especially around the controversial subject of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Researchers should shun media mistrust
The Kenya Editors Guild recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the AATF to better connect agricultural biotechnology research with the public and create greater awareness and understanding of its scientifically proven benefits.
Kanangire is challenging researchers in Africa’s universities to shun mistrust and engage the media strongly to enable simple technologies and innovation developed through research to control the challenges facing smallholder farmers.
Kenya Editors Guild President Zubeida Kananu said the partnership with the AATF will promote the dissemination of accurate, relevant and impactful information about agricultural technologies. The partnership is building the capacity for scientists at universities and media editors to bring innovation closer to smallholder farmers in an uncomplicated way. A curriculum to train journalists in science and agriculture journalism is being developed.
The continent’s agricultural sector is dominated by smallholder farmers, who produce 70% of the food supply on an estimated 33 million farms. Improving agricultural productivity in Africa is the key to economic growth and poverty reduction. Across Africa, agriculture accounts for 15% of GDP on average and is a major source of livelihood, employing 65% of the working population and 40% of export earnings.
Research topics must reach the public
The AATF director said that vital agricultural research findings exist in many international agricultural institutions and universities across the continent that have not reached farmers due to low interaction between researchers and journalists.
Scientists and the media can jointly robustly develop science journalism as a major component of frequent, targeted news reporting for smallholder farmers. Science journalism must bring complex research topics such as climate change out of the laboratory so that the public, particularly smallholder farmers, can understand the advancements and what they mean for society.
Effective communication requires brevity, clarity, teamwork, and harmony in the legacy media (print and broadcast) and the rapidly evolving social and digital media landscape. Information in this radically transformed media ecosystem moves at the speed of light, while also conveying a heavy load of disinformation and misinformation.
Digital media and web platforms are now the kings of communication. They are the prime channels on which to reach out to the youth, whose involvement is urgently needed in the transformation of food and agricultural systems in Africa.
Radio is farmers’ main source of information
Smallholder farmers in Africa are getting older, which means the youth are needed in the transition as agriculture has immense potential to create employment. Young people can be enticed to the farms through access to information and communication technologies tailored toward agriculture.
Although print is declining, legacy media have valuable channels such as newspapers, magazines, radio and TV to reach stakeholders across the agricultural value chain. Radio, particularly vernacular FM radio stations, is the most effective and viable channel to convey the message of sustainability, improved livelihoods, resilience and income generation to smallholder farmers. The radio is their main source of information on political and socio-economic development news.
Digitalisation has the potential to enhance climate-smart agricultural productivity, streamline processes, and contribute to the well-being of communities.
While digital tools and technologies have positively influenced the livelihoods of farmers and community development, challenges associated with the digitalisation of agriculture have been identified, including technology adoption, data security and the socio-economic impact on labour and education.
Africa slow to adopt biotechnology
According to Professor Richard Oduor, the registrar of research, innovation, and product development at Kenyatta University (KU), the study of agricultural biotechnology, which includes tissue culture, and plant breeding to develop hybrids, started much earlier in Kenya’s agricultural universities. Oduor is also the chairperson of the Kenya University Biotechnology Consortium, a guild of experts in biotechnology drawn from both public and private universities in Kenya to advance the safe application of modern biotechnology.
However, classic modern biotechnology involving genetic engineering started in 2005, when the first Level 2 plant transformation laboratory was commissioned at KU.
“The KU lab is among four labs in Kenya accredited by Kenya’s National Biosafety Authority to conduct research in plant genetic transformation. Our lab has produced over 50 PhDs and over 100 masters graduates, many working at local universities and research institutions,” Oduor told University World News.
“Agricultural biotechnology could have benefited many East African countries had the adoption been rapid. Ethiopia, Sudan and now Kenya have started reaping the gains. Adoption of Bt cotton [Bacillus thuringiensis] in the region has the potential to revitalise the textile, oil and animal feed industries.
“Other nodes in the value chain such as distributors are also bound to benefit. The reduced number of insecticide applications due to the application of Bt cotton transfers savings to farmers,” he said.
Journalists must be trained
On how best scientists and the media should partner to disseminate informed knowledge management of the continent’s food systems and better connect agricultural biotechnology research to the public, Oduor said: “Compared to the sensitisation I see with the anti-GMOs, scientists and the media need a stronger partnership but, more importantly, sustained media campaigns over time – not just being reactive when there are adverse comments on GMOs.
“The media needs organised training to avoid misinterpretation of facts. A few journalists also need to come to our labs (or any other) for a month or so to have a hands-on experience,” Oduor advised.
On 30 August 2024, the Government of Rwanda and AATF hosted the Researchers’ Strategic Dialogue on Research and Biotechnology in African Agricultural Systems, featuring key issues in the agricultural sector. Oduor was one of the speakers.
The meeting’s insights and key recommendations regarding the challenges in science, technology and innovation within the agricultural sector will be presented at the Ministerial Round Table during the Africa Food Systems Forum annual summit from 2-6 September 2024 in Kigali, Rwanda.
Local, simple language needed
Dr Ally Mahadhy, a senior lecturer in the Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, said more than 500 students have graduated from the undergraduate programme in BSc molecular biology and biotechnology established at the university in 2003. The programme covers various aspects of agricultural biotechnology, including health, industry, environment and agriculture. Not more than 10 students have completed MSc and PhD theses.
He says agricultural biotechnology has significantly contributed to the development of agriculture in Africa, especially in disease diagnosis, the production of biopesticides, and seed development. “Agricultural biotechnology has benefited smallholder farmers through improved disease-resistant seed varieties with higher yields, availability of organic and bio-fertilisers, as well as biopesticides produced by local companies.”
Mahadhy said scientists and the media can connect agricultural biotechnology research to the public through workshops and interviews. “Scientists should engage mainstream and online media platforms (including social media) using local and simple language and avoiding scientific jargon.”
To dispel misinformation on GMOs, he said scientists should collaborate with journalists and involve them in every stage of the GMO development process, from conception and lab work to greenhouse experiments, confined field trials, and commercialisation.
“This should include first-hand experiences and observations. The information disseminated should be supported by evidence such as data, photos and videos, as seeing is believing.”
Reporters, scientists should interact with farmers
Dr Joseph Nsengimana, a lecturer specialising in biotechnology and molecular genetics at the University of Rwanda, said that, since 2006, the university has trained 680 undergraduates, 50 MSc graduates, and 20 PhD holders in agricultural biotechnology. He said agricultural biotechnology has enabled the creation and growth of pest-resistant, salinity and drought-resistant, quality-improved crops such as maize and cotton, offering hope for sustainable agriculture to feed Africa’s growing population.
“Journalists can reach most of the population in an effective and timely way. By collaborating with the media, research outputs can be explained easily to smallholder farmers. Scientists should identify journalists with a keen interest and closely explain the progress and achievements in agricultural biotechnology. They should also be involved in outreach activities in which scientists interact with farmers.
“Myths and distortions around GMOs arise from ignorance of the processes used to obtain certain GMOs. Scientists’ collaboration with the media will help to avoid or minimise the impact of such distortions and controversies. It will also show how scientists take precautions to avoid any side effects that may arise from the technology,” Nsengimana said.