Working Document Series Open Access 2012 RUF-31480

Global Change and the Future of African Agriculture: What Role for Higher Education?

S. CarterP. Sanginga

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Abstract

112 words

Agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa is confronted with multiple dimensions of global change, from the atmospheric to the political and economic, from environmental to the demographic and cultural.Change is continuous, and largely unpredictable. Despite decades of innovative agricultural research and learning, broad, long-lasting impacts on food availability, income and economic development remain elusive. This paper examines some of the mainchallenges and stresses that confront African agriculture today. Implications for Higher Education are drawn from this analysis. The paper argues that responding effectively to complexity depends on changes in higher education,to promote the application of systems thinking and inter-disciplinary research, more effective collaboration, asking the right questions, building trust in institutions, and fostering innovation

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