“Innovation Key to Unlocking Africa’s Horticultural Potential”

African agriculture is at the crossroads. Persistent food shortages are now being compounded by new threats arising from climate change. But Africa faces three major opportunities that can help transform its agriculture to be a force for economic growth.

First, advances in science, technology, and engineering worldwide offer Africa new tools needed to promote sustainable agriculture.

Second, efforts to create regional markets will provide new incentives for agricultural production and trade.

Third, a new generation of African leaders is helping the continent to focus on long-term economic transformation. Agriculture needs to be viewed as a knowledge-based entrepreneurial activity.

Economic collaboration

The emergence of Africa’s Regional Economic Communities (RECs) provides a unique opportunity to promote innovation in African agriculture in a more systematic and coordinated way.

The launching of the East African Common Market in July 2010 represented a significant milestone in the steady…