Private sector technology transfer

This study summarizes the literature on existing private agricultural technology transfer in three countries -- Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Mali -- and discusses the private sector"s outlook towards business in Africa. Of the three countries, Zimbabwe has the most dynamic private sector involvement in agricultural technology transfer, mainly in its advanced commercial farm sector. In Kenya, private sector involvement occurs mainly in marketing, processing, and export, while in Mali commercial activity is still fairly sluggish. In all three countries, a mix of organizations are involved in the overall extension system, including government ministries, private agribusiness firms, parastatals, private consulting firms, farmers" associations, nongovernmental organizations, and educational institutions. The report concludes that public sector extension will continue to be important in Africa in the medium term. However, private technology transfer can complement public sector services by allowing public sector resources to be focused on resource-poor areas, where there is little incentive for private sector involvement. An annex provides detailed case studies within each country.