The Federal Government and the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) are collaborating to advance agricultural research and scale up innovations for resilient agrifood systems across Africa.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, stated this on Monday at the opening of the 9th Africa Agriculture Science Week (AASW9) and 10th FARA General Assembly in Abuja.
The conference had the theme: “Innovations and Partnerships for Resilient and Sustainable Agrifood Systems in Africa.”
Kyari said natural resources alone could not create prosperity, stressing that knowledge must translate into innovation, enterprise and opportunities that improve lives.
He said the Africa Agriculture Science Week provided a platform for knowledge exchange, partnerships and scientific solutions to transform Africa’s agrifood systems.
The minister said agriculture remained central to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda because food security was linked to national security, economic growth and social stability.
He said the government was expanding irrigation, strengthening mechanisation, improving access to quality inputs and investing in agricultural research, innovation and technology.
Kyari said emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, satellite monitoring, biotechnology and digital platforms, were creating new opportunities for improved productivity, market access and climate resilience.
He added that Africa could become a global leader in developing agricultural solutions suited to its ecological realities through sustained investment in research, innovation and partnerships.
“The future of African agriculture will not be determined solely by the size of our farms or the extent of our natural resources.
“It will be determined by the strength of our institutions, the quality of our science and our willingness to invest consistently in knowledge,” he said.
Earlier, the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Maiha, said the conference was timely, adding that Nigeria’s partnership with FARA showed the importance of collaboration in advancing science.
Maiha said innovation remained critical to transforming agrifood systems.
In a virtual presentation, Dr Simeon Ehui, Director-General of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), said Africa’s challenges, including drought, climate change, biodiversity loss and food inflation, were surmountable through science and partnerships.
“Science works, innovation works and partnership works. Let us accelerate and scale up innovation,” he said.
Also, Dr Abubakar Daban, Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), said the event aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises agriculture, food security and economic growth.
Daban said climate change, food insecurity and low agricultural productivity could only be addressed through collaboration and science-based solutions.
He urged stakeholders to strengthen partnerships to unlock Africa’s agricultural potential and build resilient agrifood systems. (NAN)
