Sustainable Agriculture May 2009
Africa needs trained scientists
Dr Lava Kumar: Senior virologist, IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria
Summary:
Five years ago, Dr Lava Kumar was awarded an international prize as the most promising young agricultural scientist of the year. Reflecting on last year's food crisis, he urges school and college leavers to think about a career in agricultural science. With climate change and other environmental challenges, the importance of research to maintain food production is higher than ever. A new breed of young scientists is needed.
Suggested introduction:
Agriculture is important - most people would agree with that. But is agriculture attractive? Does it get the new ideas and energy of the young that it needs?
It's not just in fields that farming needs younger people but in the agricultural research institutions that we hope will come up with solutions to our modern farming challenges, such as increasing yields, coping with drought and resisting pests and diseases.
Will Africa recruit the young scientists ready to take on this work? Or is agricultural science an unattractive option for our best and brightest graduates? One man with strong opinions on that subject is Lava Kumar, who five years ago won an international prize as a promising young scientist. Now a senior researcher at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture in Nigeria, he discusses the future of agricultural science in Africa with Ghanaian journalist, Kofi Adu Domfeh.
Tape in:
Is agricultural research exciting...
Tape out:
...This is my wish.
Closing Announcement:
Dr Lava Kumar of the IITA research centre talking to Kofi Adu Domfeh.
Making the most of it:
Find the youngest, or oldest, agricultural scientists you can, to interview them on where the next generation of young agricultural scientists and farmers is coming from.
Further information:
Lava Kumar,
Senior virologist,
IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Email: L.kumar@cgiar.org
Transcript
Domfeh
Is agricultural research exciting to you?
Kumar
Absolutely. I'm in this field because I'm passionate about the contribution of agriculture to humankind.
Domfeh
So what aspects excite you the most?
Kumar
The most exciting aspect for me is the way the plant viruses control the whole host organism. These are the most tiniest things that have entered the plant, and then they take over literally. They start dictating terms and although this is counter-productive to the crop growth, the whole mechanism is fascinating to me.
Domfeh
Would you advise young school graduates to enter agricultural research?
Kumar
I strongly advise. If there is any need for agricultural research it is now. Last year's food crisis demonstrated the need for a focused approach for agriculture. So it showed the importance; the moment we take the pressure off from agricultural research, things start to slide. And with global warming, climate change effects, so many things happening, if there is any need for agricultural research it is now, and the new breed of people need to come into this field, to take on the new challenges that are being posed by the changing environment.
Domfeh
What are the challenges for young graduates that want to pursue careers in agricultural science?
Kumar
There are a number of challenges. The main challenge is adequate training. Taking the African scenario, there is a dearth of institutes which have adequate capacity to give good training to the graduates, so that they can take things back to the field. So that is the fundamental need, and then the funding.
Domfeh
Many African researchers leave Africa to study and work elsewhere. Is this a problem from your point of view?
Kumar
Yes, that is certainly a problem, but at the same time the people are leaving for a good reason. Because they have passion to do well, but unfortunately the condition in Africa is not conducive for them. The governments in Africa should consider creating a new environment so that these richly trained people elsewhere can come back home and serve their mother countries. There are many people who are ready to do that, provided they have conducive conditions at home.
Domfeh
So if you had just one wish to make agricultural science in Africa better, what would that be?
Kumar
I will build new agricultural colleges as centres of excellence. For each country I would like to build at least two colleges which have all the facilities necessary to create the best scientists, the best graduates, who can take care of their own problems in their country. This is my wish. End of track.
