Scientific research in Africa in the 21st century, in need of a change of approach*

Abstract

The scientific research environments in industrialized and non-industrialized countries are compared, mainly as far as supportive industries and services to agricultural producers are concerned. Further environmental deterioration and alienating poverty are often a consequence of the observed absence of focused assistance. It is then discussed why and how Africa should change its scientific research and develop its own approach. This asks for new scientific research policies in Africa. The central thesis of this paper is that as agricultural scientists we have come closer than ever to farmers, but we are farther away than ever from policy makers. A simple conceptual and diagnostic framework is discussed by which this situation in scientific research can be easily explained. TTMI-Project results on agrometeorological services in Sudan are discussed in that new context. The paper concludes with first wording in this same new context the final implications for the change in scientific research approach needed in Africa, including a short comparison of research on health services with those on agricultural services. Finally, such implications are discussed the same way for higher education in Africa, also again referring to another important recent development, that of diagnostic studies, that is used as reference throughout this paper. Keywords: Africa; agricultural services; agrometeorology; higher education; livelihood of farmers; policy environments; scientific research; research approach.