Technology transfer has important role in sustainable agricultural development

The number of food-insecure people in the world, presently estimated at about 800 million, is expected to grow with the global population projected to reach about 10 billion by 2050. The challenge of food insecurity has to be seen in the context of 1.3 billion tons of food being wasted every year due to inefficient post-harvest processes and supply chains, climate change impacts on agricultural productivity and diversion of agricultural land for cultivation of fuel crops, said Dr. Haryono, Director General of the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development (IAARD) in his statement to the CAPSA Policy Dialogue, delivered by IAARD Secretary General Dr. Agung Hendriadi. 

The United Nations-led global discussions on sustainable development over the past three decades have focused on the needs of the rural poor who comprise almost 70 per cent of the poor population in developing countries and depend mainly on agriculture for their livelihood. Sustainable agricultural development is also a priority in addressing the challenge of climate change.

Technology transfer has an important role in addressing the adverse agricultural impact of climate change and natural resource degradation as well as socioeconomic constraints. Post-harvest food losses can also be minimized with technology transfer. As such, technology transfer has an important role in promoting sustainable agricultural development and food security and should prioritize increasing agricultural efficiency and competitiveness in developing countries. 

The IAARD is focusing on five key commodities to ensure agricultural self-sufficiency by 2015. The Government of Indonesia is giving priority to increasing agricultural productivity and value addition, land and water conservation, and subsidizing smallholder farmers.

IAARD is working to achieve these objectives by developing and disseminating technological innovations through its agricultural research and extension programme. It is also mobilizing financial investment and international collaboration for sustainable development of agriculture in Indonesia.  

Reporter: Suraj Pandey, APCTT-ESCAP