Africa Has Technology To Achieve Zero Hunger.
Africa has the technology and innovation to achieve zero hunger, said African Development Bank (ADB) President Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, at the African Agribusiness and Science Week. Adesina said that African food systems have the potential to unlock $1 trillion in value over the next seven years.
Asdesina's Speech
Africa has the partnerships and technologies needed to eradicate hunger, said President BAD, Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, what is needed is action, including robust funding, said last Monday, June 5, 2023, during the opening session of the 8th African Agribusiness and Science Week (AASW) in Durban, Africa southern.
“We have to bring together the best of science, technology and innovation to drive a more productive, more efficient and more competitive agricultural system”.
Adesina said to an audience of stakeholders in research and innovation in agriculture and agribusiness in Africa.
The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) organized the event with the Government of South Africa, the African Union Commission (AUC), the African Development Bank and the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). Other partners include the FIDA and UNIDO, as well as the European Commission.
Read HERE the speech of Dr. Fully adherent.
Facing the Challenges
AUC Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, Ambassador Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, stated that the event could not have come at a better time, as the world is experiencing a hunger pandemic caused by cascading factors, including Covid-19. and climate change.
Africa needs to leverage its potential, including science, and be proactive rather than reactive to shocks, she said. The Commissioner urged the continent to take advantage of its young population and immense natural capital.
“We must feed Africans and we must feed the world,” said Sacko.
FARA President Alioune Fall spoke about the interplay between climate change and agricultural production and said:
"Climate change and its effect on the continent require new ways of doing things in almost every facet of our society."
“African young farmers will not adopt nature-based approaches if they are not well-packaged, affordable and serviced by technology.”
Climate change and its effect on the continent require new ways of doing things in almost every facet of our society. Adesina said that African food systems have the potential to release $1 trillion in value over the next seven years.
“For this to be achieved, we must strengthen and support the CGIAR with much more resources, ensure it works and works for Africa.”
“Based on our priorities, we need to support regional research and development institutions, such as FARA and sub-regional agricultural research organizations”.
Towards Safety
African Development Bank initiatives to increase African food security include the Africa Food Summit, held in January in the Senegalese capital, Dakar. The summit brought together 34 heads of state and government.
“We work with development partners around the world and with the African Union Commission, with private sector companies and with global and national agricultural research centres”.
"With this collaboration, we have developed Food and Agriculture Assurance Compacts for 41 countries."
Adesina said, adding that the summit's partners built on its success, mobilizing US$72 billion so far to support national compacts.
Adesina presented the FARA 2023 Leadership Awards for the Advancement of Agricultural Science, Technology and Innovation in Africa to Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization; Ambassador Sacko; Executive Director of FARA, Dr. Yemi Akinbamijo; Former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Infrastructure of Senegal, Papa Abdoulaye Seck, and President of Afreximbank, Prof. Benedict Oramah.
Adesina won the award in 2016.
The 8th African Agribusiness and Science Week, the main continental platform for stakeholders in agriculture and agribusiness research and innovation in Africa, brings together 1.500 stakeholders.
Every three years to take stock of progress in research and innovation, share information, build business alliances and set priorities for joint action. The seventh edition of the AASW took place in Kigali, Rwanda, in June 2016.
Conclusion
The future of food security in Africa lies in a balanced mix of science, technology and innovation. Those involved in this process have the fundamental task of leveraging the immense potential that the continent offers, within the framework of proactive action in the face of challenges.
It is vital that efforts focus on strengthening partnerships, improving financing and effectively using existing resources to unlock the wealth of Africa's agricultural sector. This collective movement will not only help achieve zero hunger in Africa, it will also propel the continent into an era of prosperity and self-sufficiency.
What do you think of this situation? Do you believe that Africa can really eliminate hunger? We want to know your opinion, do not hesitate to comment and if you liked the article, share and give a “like/like”.
Picture: © 2023 African Development Bank Group (AfDB)
