Ask African farmers about their research and technology needs

Posted by Owen Roberts | Oct 27, 2009 | Guelph Mercury

Leonard Nduati Kariuki (pictured below) of Kenya, president of the International Federation of Agricultural Producers’ African farmersâ€™ committee, is warning of a â€œnew technological colonialism.â€ It’s a reference to developing countriesâ€™ ugly practice of creating shortsighted aid programs, and the alleged lack of consultation over research and technology. I’m writing about the issue in this week’s Urban Cowboy column in the Guelph Mercury, and particularly, the way Kariuki thinks the knowledge transfer or extension system has abandoned African farmers.

About The Author

Owen Roberts

Urban Cowboy

Raising awareness and promoting dialogue about current food and agriculture issues.

OWEN ROBERTS

Owen Roberts is an agricultural journalist and communications instructor based in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. He is a trustee on the Global Foundation for Agricultural Journalism and an associate editor (communications) for the Journal of Agromedicine. Previously, Owen was president of the International Forum for Agricultural Journalists, an agricultural communications faculty member at the University of Illinois, and research communications director at the University of Guelph. His programs and research papers have been recognized through awards from the Journal of Applied Communications, the National Agri-Marketing Association, the Association for Communications Excellence and the Canadian Farm Writers' Federation.