Agricultural innovation and economic growth in Africa: renewing international cooperation

Rising food prices and the associated political upheavals have rekindled interest in international cooperation on food security in particular and economic development in general. This paper argues that efforts to promote food security in sub-Saharan Africa need take into account three key issues: food security is inseparable from economic development; science and innovation are a necessary part of economic development; universities in most countries are engines of development and must be so in Africa as well. Industrialised countries and Africa should to forge long-term cooperation in advancing specific technology missions in fields such as biotechnology.