- The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, has declared that Africa’s vast natural resources cannot guarantee economic prosperity without deliberate investments in scientific research, technology, and local agricultural innovation.
- The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, highlighted Africa’s reliance on imported animal protein despite housing hundreds of millions of livestock, outlining plans to expand Nigeria’s livestock sector from $32 billion to $74 billion within three years.
- Federal officials stressed the urgent integration of artificial intelligence, biotechnology, satellite systems, and digital data platforms to tackle climate challenges, boost productivity, and transform regional agrifood systems.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has called on African nations to scale up strategic investments in science, research, and innovation to transform the continent’s agrifood systems and achieve long-term food security.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the charge was delivered by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, during the opening ceremony of the 9th Africa Agriculture Science Week and the 10th General Assembly of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) held in Abuja.
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Addressing delegates, Kyari emphasized that while Africa possesses abundant fertile lands, diverse ecosystems, and a youthful population, natural resources alone are insufficient to create economic prosperity.
He noted that real growth is achieved when scientific knowledge is translated into usable technology, commercial enterprise, and expanded opportunities for local farmers.
Kyari affirmed that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has anchored the Renewed Hope Agenda on agricultural development, recognizing food security as fundamental to social stability, national security, and broader economic resilience.
The agriculture minister outlined ongoing federal initiatives, including the expansion of all-season irrigation farming, enhanced agricultural mechanization, distribution of high-quality seeds and fertilizers, digital farm platforms, and stronger financial support systems.
He urged African institutions to leverage cutting-edge tools such as artificial intelligence, satellite tracking, data science, and advanced biotechnology to build home-grown solutions tailored to regional ecological realities rather than relying solely on foreign-developed technologies.
Reiterating the strategic importance of animal production, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, pointed out the stark contradiction between Africa’s vast livestock population and its heavy reliance on imported animal protein.
Maiha revealed that despite the continent housing approximately 350 million cattle, 400 million sheep, 400 million goats, 20 million camels, and 50 million pigs, millions of citizens still suffer from food insecurity and protein deficits.
Maiha explained that his ministry, established in July 2024, is driving major structural reforms guided by the National Livestock Master Plan and the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy.
Through transition toward climate-smart, commercially viable production systems and private-sector partnerships, Nigeria aims to grow its livestock sector from its current base valuation of $32 billion to $74 billion over the next three years.
Both ministers urged researchers, governments, and international development partners to translate conference discussions into tangible laboratory technologies, actionable public policies, higher farm yields, and sustainable enterprise for African youth.
