Anita Takura, a Ghanaian scientist for sustainable crop production

We met Anita Takura in Paris in March of 2013. She was one of 15 scientists whose research projects were selected by the “L’Oréal-Unesco For Women in Science” programme, earning them an International Fellowship.
Anita Takurais is a PhD student in Agricultural Sciences. She studies agricultural and environmental science in order to help farmers.
How did you become involved in scientific research?
Studying in school, I was more interested in science, because it is tangible. You can make reactions. You can see results. And you can relate to biology because it is part of your environment.
What is your research subject? Was it an assignment?
It is my personal choice. I work in Sub-Saharan Africa. 26% of people are malnourished, the highest percentage in the whole world. I realised not only are we not producing enough food, but at times even the farmers go hungry. The irony of farmers without food at some point of the year was staggering.
What challenges do they face?
Farmers have constraints. They lack the technology: improved seeds, planting methods, mechanization (tractors), technology to protect the soil that they use to produce food. Our environmental degradation is very high. The question is: how do we produce more food and minimize the impact on our environment?
Do you want to deliver a message to our readers?
More and more, I find that there is a big science gap. We rely more on science from elsewhere for our policies in Africa, because we are not doing our own research. There is a need for African scientists!

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