African agric research institutions renew commitment to food security

Leaders of two foremost agricultural research institutions in Africa have reaffirmed their commitment to redouble institutional efforts and boost the agricultural sector in Africa.

Executive Director of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), Dr Yemi Akinbamijo and Dr Nteranya Sanginga, Director-General of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)  have also underscored the need for deepening their institutional relationship to generate scientific innovations to create impact at farm levels.

IITA has a refreshed strategy which aims to raise 11 million people out of poverty and redirect 7.5 million hectares of degraded land in the tropics into sustainable use.

To achieve the vision, partnerships have been identified to be the main driver, in addition to capacity development.

The Institute is also implementing a Youth in Agriculture Program tagged: “Agripreneurs”, which aims to attract youth from different backgrounds into agriculture.

“As long as I see young experts coming from different disciplines working together in the agricultural sector, there is hope for Africa,” said the FARA Executive Director.

Dr Akinbamijo urged the youth to take advantage of the program and also tap the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for effective operation.

He comes into the leadership of the apex body for Agricultural Research and Development (ARD) in Africa with 30 years experience in animal health, market-oriented production systems, agricultural research, food security and rural development.

Speaking on the theme: “The Science Agenda for African Agriculture: Implications for IITA and other CGIAR actors,” Dr Akinbamijo stated that “to make impact and improve agriculture in the continent, we must work together, pull together, and deliver together.”

 

He noted that IITA has a unique stake in the context of African agriculture, and that a synergy between FARA and IITA is inevitable for agricultural development in the continent.

The development of an agriculture science agenda for Africa was a result of the Dublin Process—an initiative of African stakeholders in agricultural research and development, the CGIAR consortium and development partners aimed at improving alignment of CGIAR to the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP) agenda.

According to Dr Akinbamijo, the Dublin Process was inspired by the realization that CGIAR research programs could be focused – at least in Africa – to better address agricultural research for development needs articulated in country and regional agriculture and food security investment plans.

He also said IITA and other CGIAR partners have strategic roles to play in the science agenda especially in terms of building and developing capacities in the continent.

 

Dr Sanginga pledged IITA’s commitment to partner with excellent organizations such as FARA to create impact in Africa, stressing that to realize agricultural development, both international and continental, agricultural research organizations must join efforts and complement each other.