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Ministerial
Conference on Harnessing Science and Technology to Increase Agricultural
Productivity in Africa:
West African Perspectives
Ouagadougou,
Burkina Faso
June
21 – 23, 2004
Prepared Remarks of Dr. J.B. Penn
Under Secretary, Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services
For the Closing Session
June 23, 2004
Introduction
Minister Diallo, distinguished Ministers, esteemed delegates, ladies and
gentlemen: Good afternoon.
We are now coming to the end of this most productive conference on
"Harnessing Science and Technology to Increase Agricultural Productivity in
Africa: West African Perspectives." It has been my great honor to lead the
U.S. delegation to this historic event. On behalf of the entire U.S.
delegation, I want to thank Minister Diallo and the government of Burkina
Faso for the warm hospitality and generosity we have been shown this week. I
ask you to join me in giving him and his staff a warm round of applause.
In addition to attending the conference proceedings, I have had the
pleasure of meeting with many of you individually and in bilateral sessions
during the last four days. These exchanges have been extremely informative
and most helpful in expanding our understanding of the agricultural and
economic issues facing Burkina Faso and the countries of the West African
region.
You might be surprised to learn that the issues we have been discussing
this week here in Ouagadougou have drawn a worldwide audience. I have seen
press reports filed all over West Africa but also in France, the United
Kingdom, the United States and even as far away as Australia.
A reporter asked me yesterday what had impressed me most about this
conference. I had to respond that it was first of all simply the presence of
all of you: four heads of state – from Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, and Niger
– ministers from 13 countries, and some 300 participants from 22 countries.
That alone clearly demonstrated your commitment to the purpose of this
conference: improving people’s lives through applying agricultural science
and technology to increase and improve food availability.
Throughout this conference – both in the more than 40 formal
presentations and in the numerous side meetings and informal discussions –
we have heard several consistent themes.
REGIONAL COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIPS
One consistent refrain in much of our discussion has been the need for
regional cooperation and partnerships. We have seen some of this first hand
through the involvement of many regional economic and research institutions
such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the West
African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), and the Permanent Interstate
Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS).
Under conditions of always-limited financial resources and limited
technical expertise, it makes no sense for countries to individually tackle
problems alone – to duplicate efforts. More and more, regional cooperation
is by far the most efficient and effective means for identifying problems
and marshalling the available scientific knowledge and expertise to address
the critical needs of West Africa.
One new example of this approach is the African Agricultural Technology
Foundation (AATF). The new memorandum of understanding signed at this
conference by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the AATF provides
access to governments and researchers across Africa to USDA’s vast
scientific resources and experience. We urge you to quickly find ways to
fully utilize this new instrument.
Likewise, the staffs of U.S. government agencies here today – the USDA,
the U.S. Department of State, and the Agency for International Development –
will engage you and the regional organizations in West Africa to identify
further ways to build upon the substantial momentum that we have developed
here this week.
We have several successful regional initiatives under way in North
America, the Western Hemisphere, and with our partners in the Asia Pacific
Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum that might hold some value as models here
in West Africa. These include a farmer-to-farmer dialogue where direct
discussions between farmers about particular problems and specific solutions
have helped to facilitate adoption of technology. Also, there are dialogues
about constructing common region-wide, science-based, and transparent
regulatory systems, and promoting regional investment which could serve as
useful examples.
CAPACITY BUILDING/TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Another much mentioned topic in our discussions has been the urgent need
for capacity building – wide-ranging technical assistance across a variety
of areas, including biosafety regulation, sanitary and phytosanitary system
development, and international trade – involving governments, universities,
and research institutions. Here again, we strongly believe the most
effective approach is a regional focus, whether it is in water resources,
biotechnology, or public/private partnerships.
The U.S. government has several training programs, such as the Cochran
Fellowship Program, that can be helpful in addressing some of the important
needs. We stand ready to provide you with information on these programs and
on particular topics that might be appropriate.
We also will be announcing shortly the first group of scientists from
West Africa who will be participating in the recently announced Norman E.
Borlaug International Science and Technology Fellows Program.
We also are undertaking a special initiative to focus on the
developmental needs of the cotton industry in West Africa. This begins with
a special tour next month for representatives of four cotton producing
countries – Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Mali – to examine all aspects of
the U.S. cotton industry. The objective is to explore the most appropriate
directions and means by which the industry here might be modernized.
And, upon our return to Washington, USDA staff will arrange a special
briefing for your Ambassadors in Washington to acquaint them with the entire
range of technical assistance and capacity building programs that are
currently available across the various departments of the U.S. government.
This briefing should bring increased attention to our efforts to address the
pressing needs here in West Africa.
WATER
A fundamental problem receiving much attention throughout the conference
involves all aspects of the water resource – availability, conservation, and
effective utilization. On a field tour Sunday, I saw first-hand some of the
enormous water challenges facing farmers here in Burkina Faso. Water issues
are increasingly confronting farmers and urban communities worldwide.
We heard during the conference that one key to water management is to
develop science-based regulations and to provide community-based irrigation
solutions. And, it was pointed out that many factors must be considered when
developing a water strategy. No one solution will address all the problems.
We also heard about some successes in the region regarding applications of
technology to irrigation. The Africa Market Garden Project not only is a
showcase for drip irrigation technology but also is increasing the food
security of those farm families involved. And, there was the successful
example in Mali of reforming water policies by obtaining farmers’ input in
the planning and also in providing training in the use of the best
agricultural and irrigation practices.
Clearly, water issues affect all countries in this region, providing
another example where regional dialogue and cooperation will prove fruitful.
BIOTECHNOLOGY
A major topic of discussion in our three days here has been agricultural
biotechnology, and this also has garnered the major attention of the press.
And, I want to say that all of the presentations have been most impressive.
We had very informative background presentations, and we heard about
practical applications of biotechnology already available today, such as
herbicide tolerant corn and Bt cotton, as well as very promising
applications that are still in the laboratory such as striga-resistant
cowpeas and golden millet.
One statement that I heard repeatedly from many of you is that the debate
about "whether biotechnology?" is over – the issue now is how best to
utilize it. As policymakers and scientists, how do we ensure its proper
regulation and use, while facilitating its benefits for our farmers,
consumers, and the environment?
Even so, there still are critics and there still is much education to be
done. For example, some would have us believe that biotech is not accessible
to small farmers. But, we heard first-hand about how Bt cotton has
completely changed the lives of small farmers in South Africa. More and more
farmers of all sizes around the world are adopting the technology because it
is safe and helpful to them.
Much has been made about the fees that farmers are charged for the use of
the new technology. All around the world, I have found that farmers are very
good economists. If they cannot obtain a reasonable return, they will not
adopt the product. It is as simple as that. If the added cost of Bt cotton
will not help Burkina Faso farmers more than offset their current pesticide
costs, they will not buy it.
We heard about the needs to apply biotechnology to "orphan products" and
to address specific West Africa problems like striga. There are some such
research efforts underway in the region. But more would be happening if West
African countries had better defined, science-based, and transparent
regulations for biotechnology. Developing a functioning regulatory system
for biotechnology and maintaining it is a daunting task. However, here again
is an area where regional cooperation could prove highly useful. And, having
a harmonized regulatory system would greatly facilitate commerce in the
future.
A transparent and predictable regulatory system will make the formation
of public/private partnerships for developing local biotech products much
easier. Such an environment will encourage the needed investment for product
development.
OTHER TOPICS
Finally, we heard considerable discussion about several other topics that
I will only mention. While increased productivity (more food) was a central
theme, we also heard about enhancing the nutritional value of food through
technology, and especially its role in combating HIV/AIDS.
And, the intersection of trade and investment was an important topic. We
noted the clear necessity to attract private investment to stimulate
economic development. And, we also recognized that this only occurs when
there is a conducive policy environment characterized by good governance.
Undertaking privatization of state-owned enterprises also was discussed as a
means for stimulating private capital investment.
CLOSING
Now, let me close. We have heard a lot of references to trains this week
– about trains leaving the station, about whether we can ride first class,
about whether we can get on the train at all, or whether we get left behind.
Let me continue with the train analogies.
President Compaoré in his opening remarks talked about the threats to
agriculture in Africa today: desertification, disease, environmental
degradation, and scarce water and land resources. All of these issues and
the others discussed are cars on the agricultural train – they are all
connected – and they all can be pulled along by a science and technology
engine. The momentum that we established this week has the train moving, and
now we will need to pick up speed. It is up to you as ministers – the
policymakers and political leaders – to determine both in your countries,
and for the West Africa region, where that train is headed and how soon it
gets there. We stand ready to take the ride with you.
Again, I want to thank you Minister Diallo and the government of Burkina
Faso for taking the initiative to host this important conference. And, I
want to thank all of you for your spirited participation.
I wish you all a safe journey home.
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