Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, has urged Africa to lead in generating, not just adopting agricultural technologies.
This, he stated, will ensure food security.
The Minister noted that knowledge has become the most valuable agricultural resource.
Kyari made the call while opening the 9th Africa Agriculture Science Week, (9th AASW), and the 10th General Assembly of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa, FARA, in Abuja, Nigeria.
The Minister said that “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.
“Africa must not simply adopt innovations developed elsewhere. We must become a global leader in generating agricultural technologies that respond to our own ecological realities, production systems and development aspirations”, Kyari stated.
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He said that agriculture is central to the present administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that food security is inseparable from national security, economic prosperity and social stability.
He outlined ongoing federal government reforms to include massive investment in irrigation, mechanisation, digital agriculture, agro-industrialisation and agricultural finance.
He pointed out that the future of Africa’s agriculture will be shaped by artificial intelligence, satellite technology, biotechnology, digital platforms and data science.
The Minister also challenged research institutions to deliver impact beyond publications.
“Research should increase productivity, stimulate enterprise development, generate employment for our youth, and strengthen the resilience of our farming communities to climate change.”
He noted that hosting both the 9th AASW and the FARA General Assembly, positions Nigeria and Africa to set a bold agenda for agricultural transformation through science and innovation.
The Minister appreciated FARA for choosing Nigeria to host the two events, and thanked development partners, researchers, scientists and delegates from across Africa and beyond for their commitment to advancing agricultural innovation on the continent.
“Your presence here underscores our shared resolve to transform Africa’s agriculture through science and partnerships”, he said.
In his remarks, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, stated that Nigeria is undertaking major reforms to modernise its livestock sector following the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.
He said the Ministry’s National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy and Master Plan focuses on sustainable production systems, infrastructure development, value-chain expansion and improved animal health to unlock investments in the sector.
Maiha invited “the private sector, development partners and the scientific community to partner with us across the entire livestock value chain.
“There are enormous opportunities in modern livestock production, processing, storage, logistics, feed formulation and advanced veterinary pharmaceuticals”, Maiha said.
