|
|
ENTOMOLOGISTS in Africa have
been challenged to forge a partnership with the public and private
sectors to make the profession a strong advocate on policy matters
concerning food production on the continent.
Kenya’s minister for agriculture Kipruto arap Kirwa advised
entomologists to move out of their laboratories and help address
matters of national interest such as the greater grain borer or
the mosquito menace, which is currently a threat to food security
in many countries.
“You must strive to explain the technicalities of integrated
pest and vector management in the simplest manner possible to
ordinary farmers who are the backbone of agricultural productivity
in Africa,” said Kirwa.
He was opening the 15th scientific conference and the 25th anniversary
celebrations for the African Association of Insect Scientists
(AAIS) in Nairobi recently.
He noted that entomologists had the challenge of developing effective
tools in managing the myriad pests and also coming up with an
agenda towards better utilisation of resources and conservation
of biodiversity.
Kirwa lamented that good pest management was urgently needed to
help improve cotton production, which is however one of the crops
prone to pest infestation, with over 20 species attacking it.
He said the success of the African Growth and Opportunity Act
(AGOA), an initiative by the US government aimed at driving the
economies of African countries through export of textile materials,
hinges greatly on how insects scientistsand related experts would
be able to solve the cotton pest problem.
“Openly discuss the merits and de-merits of Bt cotton genes
which is now grown in some parts of the world, and come up with
proper guidelines and recommendations which will boost the development
of cotton growing in the continent,” the minister told the
participants.
Kirwa said since Africa is a continent of promise, the responsibility
of scientists is to turn it into a continent of hopes fulfilled,
a continent of sustained and sustainable development that enriches
all the people.
|
