Emerging Technologies to Benefit Farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia

Increased agricultural productivity is a major stepping stone on the path out of poverty in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, but farmers there face tremendous challenges improving production. Poor soil, inefficient water use, and a lack of access to plant breeding resources, nutritious animal feed, high quality seed, and fuel and electricity-combined with some of the most extreme environmental conditions on Earth-have made yields in crop and animal production far lower in these regions than world averages. Emerging Technologies to Benefit Farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia identifies sixty emerging technologies with the potential to significantly improve agricultural productivity in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Eighteen technologies are recommended for immediate development or further exploration. Scientists from all backgrounds have an opportunity to become involved in bringing these and other technologies to fruition. The opportunities suggested in this book offer new approaches that can synergize with each other and with many other activities to transform agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Table of Contents Front Matter Executive Summary Summary 1 Introduction 2 Constraints on Crop and Animal Productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia 3 Plant Improvement and Protection 4 Water Resource Availability 5 Technologies for Soil Improvement 6 Technologies for Improving Animal Health and Production 7 Emerging Technologies to Meet Local Energy Needs 8 Priorities for Emerging Technologies Appendix A: Committee Statement of Task Appendix B: Biographic Sketches of Committee Members Appendix C: Responses from Sub-Saharan African and South Asian Scientists Appendix D: Contributors Appendix E: Recent Publications of the Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources