Scientists Working to Transform Agriculture in Africa

Four young African scientists working on different agricultural research projects spoke to African Renewal about their studies. Fatoumata Thiam from Senegal talks about her groundbreaking research on the Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture, with broader implications for Africa's ambitions to embrace the 4th industrial revolution. Selamawit Araya Kidane from Ethiopia speaks about her journey to being a nematologist and her research on the Enset plant - often referred to as a 'false banana' because while it resembles a banana plant, it does not produce edible fruits. Its stem, leaf sheaths and underground corm are harvested and processed into carbohydrate-rich food products. Sylvia Wairimu Maina from Kenya, talks about her doctoral research on the nutritional and health benefits of the African cabbage and Susan Ojochide from Nigeria, talks about her research that will contribute to tackling one of Africa's worst enemies - drought.