Investing in female scientists to feed Africa

In this interview, Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg, director of the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development fellowship programme in Kenya, talks about AWARD’s work supporting the careers of female agricultural scientists across Sub-Saharan Africa.

She outlines the daunting challenge facing Africa: to rapidly expand agricultural production so that the continent can feed itself. Women currently produce the majority of Africa’s food but are severely underrepresented in agricultural research and development. Kamau-Rutenberg argues that it is therefore imperative to invest in female researchers.  Only by fully using this resource will Africa be able to meet its food needs.