11. Policy adaptations are necessary to realize technological options and develop the capacity required to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs) to their full extent. Adaptations to policies focusing on risk reduction, functioning markets and value chains, trade, sustainable natural resource management, and strengthened capacity are particularly important to achieve SDGs. For producers, improved access to credits, loans and insurances, and adequate input and product pricing (considering the possibility of subsidies and direct payments) are particularly important with regard to economic performance. Appropriate policies regulating access to and use of land and water resources, possibly realized through decentralized participatory approaches, may promote investments and adoption of sustainable practices. Adequate import and export policies (including transit procedures) and trade arrangements (based on proactive engagement in trade negotiations) can greatly strengthen the position of CWANA producers and agrobusinesses in globalized markets. Food safety and biosafety guidelines and regulations, legislation for being compliant with and competitive in international trade, regulations and legislation on intellectual property rights (IPR), and liberal information policies stressing access and transparency are framework conditions required for a productive, efficient and competitive agricultural sector. Integrating AKST in national development strategies and plans may reconcile conflicting views and ambitions with regard to national goals such as national security, food sovereignty (trade in virtual water, etc.), economic growth and development, and quality of life.

5.1 Role of AKST in Meeting Sustainable Development Goals

5.1.1 Hunger, nutrition, and human health

Increased agricultural productivity is a direct driver for reducing hunger and improving nutrition and human health in that sufficient and more nutritious and diverse food results in a healthier constitution and improved body defenses (Rosegrant et al., 2006). Increased agricultural productivity also directly helps increase income, thereby reducing poverty and securing livelihoods of farming populations (IFAD, 2002; Rosegrant et al., 2006). Higher productivity may further allow for more diverse food production and thus more diverse and higher-quality diets, which not only provide sufficient protein and vitamins, but also help combat micronutrient deficiencies.

However, increasing productivity has to be approached cautiously; too often a narrow focus on productivity gains results by exploiting natural resources unsustainably through overuse and pollution (environmental degradation), causing problems related to food quality and safety with negative effects on nutrition, health or marketability, or by neglecting social aspects in trade-off with profitability (including abuse and social dumping). Therefore, AKST-related initiatives need to be guided toward sustainable agricultural productivity in achieving development goals.

5.1.2 Poverty and livelihoods

In CWANA an estimated 70% of the poverty is in rural areas, even though only some 43% of the total population

lives there (El-Beltagy, 2002). Despite the large dependence of the rural population on agriculture, emphasis on agriculture and rural development is declining. In addition, the region is facing a number of converging trends that threaten the future livelihoods of the poorest sector of society (Thomas et al., 2003).

It is generally agreed today that poverty reduction requires a holistic perspective focusing on understanding root causes, removing constraints, and creating opportunities and choices for improving livelihoods. Sustainable livelihood approaches based on the principle of reducing poverty by empowering the poor to build on their opportunities are today considered more successful than sectoral approaches to development, which focused on resources rather than
people (Carney, 2002).

AKST has to play an important role in various aspects: AKST may support farmers in managing assets, reducing vulnerability, and transforming structures and processes. AKST plays a key role in shaping the quality and quantity of and access to natural, human and other resources, as well as the efforts of those working at different levels (household, national, international) to reduce poverty and hunger in a sustainable manner (DFID, 2007). With regard to agricultural production, some studies indicate that a higher crop yield of just 10% may lead to 6-10% reduction in the number of people living below the poverty line (Irz et al., 2001). CWANA can improve crop production considerably through optimizing the use of production inputs such as water, fertilizers, pesticides and proper crop varieties in a sustainable approach. Agricultural education and better training of farmers may also accelerate development and improve livelihoods considerably.

5.1.3 Environmental sustainability

Environmental sustainability may be adversely affected by efforts aimed at increasing agricultural and economic development—efforts important for achieving the first Millennium Development Goal (Rosegrant et al., 2006). The pressure is to modernize and intensify agricultural systems to meet the food demands of an increasing population. It is unlikely that AKST can develop the agricultural sector in CWANA in such a manner that only benefits and no negative externalities accrue. Further expansion of agriculture dependent on inorganic fertilizers, pesticides and machinery applying agricultural practices like tillage, drainage, irrigation, and fertilizer and pesticide application will undoubtedly have their impact on the environment. In the light of this, it is imperative for CWANA countries to undertake, in their planning process for any agricultural development effort, a judicious, comprehensive and participatory assessment of environmental costs and benefits. A productive agricultural sector will reduce pressure on and contribute to ensuring environmental sustainability.

Since water is a major limiting natural resource in CWANA and agriculture is the leading consumptive user of water, AKST plays a key role in satisfying competing demands for this scarce resource and in raising public awareness of the effect agriculture has on the environment (Bonnis and Steenblik, 1998). Besides the focus on quantitative aspects, i.e., on increasing water supply and decreasing water demand, preservation of water quality will have to