Bioscience Technology, for poverty alleviation in Africa Application of biosciences technology in agriculture[1] will not only improve the

agriculture scene of the region, but can signicantly contribute towards poverty alleviation in Africa, provided the government and scientists collaborate in the policy making process especially in the areas pertaining to the problems of poverty such as health, education and housing among others [2]. The projects that address climate change; food security; use of waste for energy production and access of clean water, can indeed be effectively put to reduce poverty and vulnerability. A bioscience innovation system is evolving in eastern Africa. The people and organisations are there; they just need to interact better, said Julius Ecuru at the First BioInnovate Regional Scientic Conference, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, February 2013 [3]. Similarly in the mid of March this year, journalists gathered in Accra, Ghana to learn about the prospects of Biosciences and they found that the farmers are open to modern methods and infact the acknowledge the importance of novel technical aids for the improvement of Ghanian crops such as cassava, cowpea, rice and cocoa [4]. But in order to realise this dream, scientists will have to get into business, whereas the entrepreneurs will be required to help create new markets. These efforts will not only create job opportunities, but will also encourage young students of the region to pursue a career in bioscience and initiate small enterprises. Population will also start to realise the importance of science and view it as an ally to the solution of their problems [2]. A better knowledge economy and rapid reduction in poverty and vulnerability are the obvious results of such initiatives. South Africa [5], Brazil [2], among others have already realised the importance of biosciences in the process of development and poverty eradication, and are thus enthusiastically striving to incorporate biosciences as a cornerstone in the countrys infrastructure. Although there are people who hold the view that biosciences would not be of much help in countrys developmental goals [6] but entrepreneur such as Bill Gates [7] and scientist such as Dr. Will Turner [8] are actively encouraging bioscience ventures. Bioscience technology is a blessing for both, east and west Africa. Since on one hand it will cause improvement in agriculture and on other hand it will cause rapid reduction in poverty levels.

[1] http://www.scidev.net/en/science-and-innovation-policy/news/bioscience-shouldunderpin-african-agriculture-meeting-hears.html [2] http://www.interacademies.net/File.aspx?id=21288 [3] http://www.slideshare.net/ILRI/bio-innovate2013-bipcea [4] http://www.b4fa.org/ghanas-b4fa-media-fellows-absorb-scientic-knowledge/ [5] http://www.nepad.org/nepad/news/2800/nepad-conference-evaluate-impact-biosciencepoverty-alleviation-and-development [6] http://www.agbioforum.org/v2n34/v2n34a03-altieri.htm [7] http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/taxonomy/term/35779/130226/gates-and-sliminaugurate-bioscience-center-mexico [8] http://www.conservation.org/publications/Pages/Will-Turner_Global-BiodiversityConservation-Alleviation-of-Poverty.aspx