Visiting agricultural research scientist, Andre Bettino, from South Africa told delegates attending a workshop on Principles of Agricultural Research and Development, that African scientists had a problem of limiting results of their research to scientific fora such as journals instead of passing it on to average people. “Despite many years of Natural Resource Management research in Sub-Saharan Africa there is no impact,” he said. “Most research information is with research scientists, in national and international institutions while those in remote areas plus extension staff have limited access to it,” added Bettino.
Bettino said there was also need for researchers to involve the different stakeholders in the research process starting from formulation up to implementation stage. He said there was need for Innovation Platforms that brought all stakeholders on board from the top to the grassroots level. There was also need for research scientists in Africa to develop networks in order to learn from each other and benefit from experiences of others. “There is need for synergies,” Bettino said. He said the challenges that the African continent was facing required collaboration in finding solutions. He said there was need to organise forums that brought together a wide cross section of stakeholders such as researchers, policy makers and Non-Governmental Organisations.