Kyari opens 9th AASW, urges Africa to lead in agri-tech innovation for food security, prosperity
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen Abubakar Kyari (C) and other stakeholders during the opening of Africa Agriculture Science Week.
Omeiza Bilal
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari has urged Africa to lead in generating, not just adopting, agricultural technologies, noting that knowledge has become its 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 on Monday.
The Minister said that “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’’.
Kyari added that “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,”
He highlighted that agriculture is central to the 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, mechanization, digital agriculture, agro-industrialization and agricultural finance.
He pointed out that the future of African 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 said.
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 African agriculture through science and partnerships,” he said.
