President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday declared open the 9th Africa Agricultural Science Week with a call on African countries to increase investment in agricultural research, science and innovation to boost food security in the continent.

The President who was represented by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Senator Abubakar Kyari emphasized that improved agricultural research remain the backbone of achieving food security, economic growth and sustainable agricultural transformation across Africa.

The week which also coincided with the 10th General Assembly of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa had in attendance Agricultural scientists across Africa, Government officials, policy makers, innovators, development partners, among others.

Kyari noted that no nation has ever achieved lasting prosperity without first investing in science to transform its agricultural sector.

He stressed that while Africa possesses vast arable land, abundant biodiversity and a youthful population, these resources alone would not guarantee prosperity without deliberate investments in research, innovation, strong institutions and strategic leadership.

According to the minister, the continent’s future will be shaped by the knowledge it generates, the technologies it develops and the partnerships it builds to modernise agriculture.

He urged African countries to move beyond adopting technologies developed elsewhere and instead become global leaders in developing home-grown innovations tailored to the continent’s unique ecological conditions and production systems.

Kyari described the Africa Agricultural Science Week as the continent’s premier platform for advancing agricultural research, strengthening partnerships and promoting science-based policies capable of transforming Africa’s agrifood systems.

In his remarks, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, stated that Nigeria was undertaking major reforms to modernize its livestock sector following the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.

He added that scientific innovation would be crucial in developing improved breeds, disease surveillance systems and climate-smart livestock production capable of meeting Nigeria’s growing demand for animal protein while positioning the country competitively under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

In his welcome address, the Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Dr. Abubakar Adamu Dabban stated that “Through sustained investment in agricultural research, innovation and technology, the continent can build resilient agrifood systems, enhance productivity, ensure food and nutrition security, and improve the livelihoods of millions of Africans.”

Speaking on the theme “Innovations and Partnerships for Resilient and Sustainable Agrifood Systems in Africa,” he noted that challenges of climate change, food insecurity and low productivity can only be overcome through collaboration and science-driven solutions. “Let us work together to create a future where no African goes hungry,” Dabban added.

In a presentation titled “The State of African Agrifood Systems: Harnessing Innovation and Partnerships to Achieve CAADP/Kampala Targets”, Managing Director, AKADEMIYA 2063, Dr. Debisi Araba appraised the performance of CAADP more than two decades after its adoption in 2003.

He traced the evolution from Maputo, which put agriculture at the highest level of decision making, to Malabo, which widened the frame to tackle hunger, poverty, trade, resilience and mutual accountability through the Biennial Review, to Kampala, the first phase of CAADP to launch with a theory of change and results framework from the outset.

Dr. Araba identified under-investment in innovation, weak technology adoption and institutional capacity gaps as key challenges, noting that “technologies exist but adoption doesn’t.”

To supercharge the achievement of CAADP, he urged Africa to acquire know-how, invest in institutional capability, and share lessons among countries with humility.

Speaking during the event, Chairperson of the FARA Board of Directors, Ms. Bongiwe Njobe, described the conference as Africa’s premier platform for shaping agricultural science, technology and innovation priorities.

She said the gathering comes at a critical time when climate change, food insecurity and environmental degradation are threatening livelihoods across the continent.

“Science, technology and innovation are the engines that will convert political commitments into measurable results at farm and household level,”

She commended Nigeria for being among the first countries to begin domesticating the Kampala Declaration, describing the move as an important demonstration of political commitment to transforming Africa’s agrifood systems.

Njobe also urged governments, research institutions, development partners and the private sector to invest in inclusive innovation that empowers women, youth and vulnerable groups while strengthening institutional capacity and financing mechanisms needed to implement Africa’s agricultural transformation agenda.

Representing African farmers, the Chief Executive Officer of the Pan African Farmers’ Organization (PAFO), Dr. Babafemi Oyewole, called for farmers to be recognized as equal partners in agricultural research rather than passive beneficiaries.