Indigenous research capability is normally a result of a long-term process of institution building. The problem is that Africa, which has the greatest need for sustained programmes to support institution building for agriculture, has not been receiving significant levels of foreign aid. Unless efforts are made to attract donors in this endeavour, no foreign support will be forthcoming because aid policies have shifted away from institution building to other priorities. Furthermore limited experience with successful agricultural research programmes make it more difficult to mobilize the needed political and financial support for strengthening research. The Second challenge relates to the high rate of population growth.
Serious efforts have to be made in order to control population growth rates.
A kind of population policy is needed. Thirdly, Africa faces the challenge of dealing with environmental degradation particularly deforestation. Generally, environmental problems reflect market failures. Markets for natural resources have not developed in a manner which induces individual decisions to be consistent economically and socially with desirable outcomes. Fourthly, the challenge is that Africa needs to invest in rural infrastructure.