21 Proposed Research, Science, Technology and Innovation …
513
Hence, the main challenge in this environment is to enhance and stabilize productivity, income, and expenditures even during dry seasons (World Bank 2005). The
following topics may be ripe for further research in rainfed agriculture: (i) intensified agronomic practices that include breeding exotic and indigenous livestock and
crops like small grains and fruit trees for drought, pest, and disease tolerance; (ii)
commercialization of smallholder production systems, distribution, extension, and
marketing; and (iii) enhancement of commercial production of edible, nutrition-rich
insects such as locusts and mopani worms.
11 Adopting Renewable Energy Technologies to Save
Forests and Economically Empower Communities
Sub-Saharan Africa continues to rely heavily on low-quality traditional sources of
energy, such as wood fuel. Seventy six percent (76%) of the population depends
on wood fuel as a source of energy (ENDA 2005). Adopting renewable energy
technologies such as biomass, solar, wind, and seawater wave power for domestic
electric power supply (to replace wood fuel), powering water pumps, small-scale
water desalination plants, small tractors, and small-scale industries may improve
productivity of rural and peri-urban communities (Watson et al. 2010). Methods
must be devised to improve poor renewable energy adoption. These may include
inadequate policymaking and/or oversight, lack of awareness among rural households
about the benefits of renewable energy, the high cost of the technologies, and the
undeveloped nature of renewable energy markets (Mfune and Boon 2008).
Well-thought-out programs to deploy renewable energy technologies in rural areas
must be integrated into wider rural development programs to ensure suitability and
harmonization. African governments must create enabling government policies to
stimulate uptake of renewable energy technologies in rural areas, both on the supply
and demand sides. This may include provision of subsidies, support for research,
public awareness campaigns, pilot programs, and regulations and/or waivers of
import duties. African countries must develop local knowledge for effective and
sustainable use of renewable energy technologies, so it is essential to build local
capacity among both technology suppliers and users. If local input is incorporated
into program design, it will enhance local support and understanding, which can
lead to job creation and cost reduction (Watson et al. 2010) as well as sustainable
large-scale uptake of the technologies.
513
Hence, the main challenge in this environment is to enhance and stabilize productivity, income, and expenditures even during dry seasons (World Bank 2005). The
following topics may be ripe for further research in rainfed agriculture: (i) intensified agronomic practices that include breeding exotic and indigenous livestock and
crops like small grains and fruit trees for drought, pest, and disease tolerance; (ii)
commercialization of smallholder production systems, distribution, extension, and
marketing; and (iii) enhancement of commercial production of edible, nutrition-rich
insects such as locusts and mopani worms.
11 Adopting Renewable Energy Technologies to Save
Forests and Economically Empower Communities
Sub-Saharan Africa continues to rely heavily on low-quality traditional sources of
energy, such as wood fuel. Seventy six percent (76%) of the population depends
on wood fuel as a source of energy (ENDA 2005). Adopting renewable energy
technologies such as biomass, solar, wind, and seawater wave power for domestic
electric power supply (to replace wood fuel), powering water pumps, small-scale
water desalination plants, small tractors, and small-scale industries may improve
productivity of rural and peri-urban communities (Watson et al. 2010). Methods
must be devised to improve poor renewable energy adoption. These may include
inadequate policymaking and/or oversight, lack of awareness among rural households
about the benefits of renewable energy, the high cost of the technologies, and the
undeveloped nature of renewable energy markets (Mfune and Boon 2008).
Well-thought-out programs to deploy renewable energy technologies in rural areas
must be integrated into wider rural development programs to ensure suitability and
harmonization. African governments must create enabling government policies to
stimulate uptake of renewable energy technologies in rural areas, both on the supply
and demand sides. This may include provision of subsidies, support for research,
public awareness campaigns, pilot programs, and regulations and/or waivers of
import duties. African countries must develop local knowledge for effective and
sustainable use of renewable energy technologies, so it is essential to build local
capacity among both technology suppliers and users. If local input is incorporated
into program design, it will enhance local support and understanding, which can
lead to job creation and cost reduction (Watson et al. 2010) as well as sustainable
large-scale uptake of the technologies.