Marrakesh, 10 October, 2014 (ECA) – As the climate discourse evolves, different ways are being sought and developed on how to tackle the phenomenon, which cuts across all developmental sectors.
Among the theories emerging is the technology transfer and innovation model, which largely refers to new ways of doing the same thing differently to achieve different results.
But how should it be done and whose responsibility should it be? This is one of the themes being discussed at the on-going climate change conference in Marrakech, Morocco.
Mr. Kebby Kabunda, a Humanitarian Programme Coordinator at Oxfam’s Zambia office, says the grassroots approach is the best model as it addresses the needs of the affected communities directly.
“At Oxfam, we believe in the grassroots approach to addressing impacts of climate change in relation to innovation and technology transfer. Our experience working with smallholder farmers in Zambia is that if indigenous knowledge and community needs are ignored, the risk of failure is very high”, he said.
“It is therefore important to take a holistic approach because adaptation has become a necessity and it cannot be achieved without innovations and technology transfer to enhance productivity”, he added.
Earlier, in a panel discussion chaired by Mr. Ken Johm of the African Development Bank (AFDB), there was widespread agreement that Africa needed strong political will and vision to translate innovation and technology transfer into action for enhanced agricultural growth.
The discussion panel – which included Dr. Mclay Kanyangarara of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa-COMESA and Dr. Youba Sokona of the South Centre in Swaziland among others – was unanimous on the need to develop technologies that answer to the needs of the local communities.
The discussants also underscored the importance of working in collaboration regarding climate smart technology financing to maximize on the available financing opportunities.
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Courtesy of CCDA-Live.
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