Agriculture experts gather to tackle food shoratges

By JIMOH BABATUNDE

International experts in agriculture and food security gathered at the Research to Feed Africa High-Level Policy Dialogue in Ethiopia Monday to track progress and inspire action to address critical food shortages in Africa.

The policy Dialogue which is part of the African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) 2014 is co-sponsored by the Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC).

Speaking at the opening , Jean Lebel, IDRC’s President,said the agency is a critical step in Canada’s support for food security research and innovation.” To date Canada has dedicated $124m to initiatives and projects through the five year old Canadian International Food Security Research Fund – or CIFSRF for short.”

He added that they have seen dramatic progress in local farmers’ livelihoods through CIFSRF projects that have improved the yield of vegetable crops, introduced secondary harvest, and developed breakthrough vaccines for cattle that hold out the promise of improving the GDP in some African countries.

“These advances not only benefit farmers today but will improve African food security in the future.”

He added “We are also building leaders for today and tomorrow.  I know that there are more than 250 graduate students being supported by Canada’s funding – a number of you are here today.  You are the next generation of scientists who will continue the fight.”

While noting that they have seen great results from researches carried out by IDCR, he said more need to be done in connecting farmers to markets, supporting women farmers and increasing food production as well as crop sustainability.

Jean Lebel said the feed Dialogue as a prelude to the 2014 AGRF is an opportunity to review the solutions that research brings to reducing hunger.

“In essence, we are seeking to foster public-private research partnerships that have the ability to transform promising proof-of-concept research into development outcomes at scale.

“Only through partnerships can we fully leverage scarce funds to continue the progress we have achieved to eliminate hunger.”

Rhoda Peace Tumusiime, African Union Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development in her welcome address while commending IDRC said the meeting is coming at the time African leaders have adopted the Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation for shared Prosperity and Improved Livelihoods.

She said through it, African leaders committed themselves to enhanced investment in agriculture and ending hunger by 2025 as well as ending poverty through inclusive agriculture growth and transformation.

She explained that the agenda calls for improved livelihood for African women and youth, “therefore the youth and the women should be more supported through education and skill development to enable them to apply their skills and knowledge through research, entrepreneurship, agribusiness and other relevant activities along agricultural value chains.”

Culled from www.vanguardngr.com