Local scientists could maximise their impacts in food production worldwide

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Local scientists creating global impacts in agriculture

Nina Dudnik

Speed read

• Scientists in developing nations are using new tools to spur food production
• Partnerships and funding are key to helping local scientists to make impacts
• Investing in the R&D of such scientists could maximise their impacts

Local scientists could maximise their impacts in food production worldwide if supported, argues Nina Dudnik.

In a three-room lab outside Nairobi, Kenya, cutting-edge science is meeting time-honoured farming practices. Steven Runo, a senior lecturer with a specialisation in molecular biology, and his colleagues at Kenyatta University are using the tools of modern molecular biology to overcome constraints of growing maize, sorghum and rice.

In particular, Runo is using a broad range of genomics and molecular biology strategies to fight parasites such as Striga, which strangle the crops.

The type of research being conducted by Runo, his team in Kenya and other scientists in developing countries is key to food security in the world.

Read the full article: SciDevNet