CHEMRAWN XII
World Conference on Chemistry,
Sustainable Agriculture, and Human
Well-Being in Sub-Saharan Africa
and non-governmental agencies. However, short-term
gains that are recorded often evaporate at the end of
the intervention period because appropriate tech-
nologies have not been transferred to or understood
by the local populations. The combined effects of tra-
ditional modes of production and ill-transferred tech-
nologies are manifested in continuing low
productivity and environmental degradation. Thus,
the cycle of poverty and hunger continues.
by Ikenna Onyido
The problems facing the African continent, especially
the sub-Saharan region, are enormous and demand
urgent action in order to avert impending tragedy.
With a population of well over half a billion, which is
still growing rapidly, increasing poverty levels, food
insecurity, health and human well-being problems of
disturbing proportions, and crumbling economies, the
region presents a picture of misery that is a blight on
modern civilization. Yet it is a certain fact that the
region is well endowed with human and natural
resources, which if properly harnessed and managed,
shall usher in an era of development and prosperity
that will make the region less of a liability to the devel-
oped world.
Chemistry, Sustainable Agriculture,
and Human Well-Being
In light of the scenario described above, the CHEM-
RAWN Committee believes that an effort should be
undertaken to transfer proven chemical and soil man-
agement technologies to Africans. The idea is to
impart to African people the knowledge and dynamic
approaches that will help them anticipate problems
and evolve timely solutions for creating sustainable
agriculture, thereby raising the standard of living,
especially of the rural majority. Consequently, the
Of particular concern is the food and agriculture
situation in sub-Saharan Africa, where food produc-
tion levels are critically low in relation to the popula-
tion. It is a well-known fact that the specter of hunger
and famine hangs over the region in the foreseeable
future if drastic ameliorating actions and initiatives are
not undertaken. Agricultural production has largely
remained in the hands of peasant small-holder farm-
ers, who use traditional slash-and-burn, low-yielding
modes of production, with outputs that at best satisfy
subsistence levels. In some cases, modern agricultural
methods have been introduced by multilateral, donor
committee has approved CHEMRAWN XII,
a
Conference on Chemistry, Sustainable Agriculture,
and Human Well-Being. The conference is intended to
motivate sustained action so that over time, indige-
nous capacity can be built among the African people
to ensure food self-sufficiency and food security in
the long run.
CHEMRAWN II, a forerunner to this conference held
in 1982, addressed the issue of "Chemistry and World
Food Supplies: The New Frontiers." CHEMRAWN XII
shall integrate recent advances in increasing food
production with careful and responsible care of the
environment, especially as applied to Africa.
Overview of the CHEMRAWN XII
Conference
Planned for 2005, the conference will focus on the fol-
lowing:
•
creating awareness among African governments,
the private sector and various stakeholders about
the magnitude of the problem and the technologi-
cal options available for enhancing food security
and protecting the natural base in the region
•
the transfer, adaptation, and application of the
stock of available and affordable chemical knowl-
edge and technology for addressing the problems
of agricultural production and environmental man-
agement, especially in the areas of soil fertility, pest
Agricultural production in Africa has largely remained
in the hands of small-holder farmers.
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