Agricultural technology development and transfer in Africa : impacts achieved and lessons learned

Chapter 1 presents historical background and success stories for agricultural TDT in Africa. Chapter 2 presents comparative evidence of impact, and aggregate and rate of return (ROR) on investment results. Chapter 3 discusses attempts to institutionalize planning and impact assessment in Africa, while Chapter 4 presents a strategic agenda for impact assessment. Five conclusions are identified. (1) No agricultural economy has developed in the absence of technical innovation in agriculture. Hence, African agricultural TDT is a necessary component of African development. (2) Contrary to conventional wisdom, African agricultural TDT has had an impact on a variety of countries, commodities, and agroclimatic conditions. This conclusion is based on: a ROR calculation based on social-surplus measurement of benefits; ROR studies showing that African agricultural TDT has had an impact; and aggregate evidence, such as trends in food production, suggesting that the conventional view of African agricultural failure is overstated. (3) There is institutional failure in African national agriculture TDT systems. Symptomatic of this failure is the inability to mobilize and organize national resources for TDT, resulting in programs that have less impact than expected. Because of this, governments are less likely to increase future investments in TDT. (4) African national governments have failed to invest adequate levels of resources in agricultural TDT. Agriculture-led development and agricultural technology development is not part of the national agenda for any African country reviewed, and national funding for TDT is declining. (5) Agricultural TDT is critical to the future of broad-based improvements in the welfare of African people. Without it, smallholders -- the majority of African farmers -- will remain poor in the next century.