The Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) has renewed calls for stronger investment in agricultural research, innovation and strategic partnerships as part of efforts to transform Africa’s food system and improve food security.

The appeal was made by the Executive Secretary of ARCN, Prof. Dabban Adamu, during the opening of the 9th African Agricultural Science Week (AASW) and the 10th General Assembly of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), held in Abuja.

Addressing participants at the event, Adamu said Africa must make better use of science, technology and innovation to overcome food insecurity, climate change and other persistent challenges that continue to hinder agricultural productivity and economic development.

He noted that science-based solutions remain essential for confronting food insecurity, climate change, land degradation and other threats affecting sustainable agricultural development across the continent.

Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, urged African nations to move beyond adopting technologies developed elsewhere and instead focus on creating indigenous agricultural innovations.

“Knowledge has become the most valuable agricultural resource of the twenty-first century. Our ability to harness this knowledge through science, technology and innovation will determine whether we achieve the agricultural transformation we all seek. Africa must move beyond technology consumption to technology generation,” he said.

Kyari said strengthening the continent’s capacity for research and innovation would be critical to achieving the agricultural transformation needed to support sustainable development and long-term food security.

Source: BluePrint