Obasanjo Urges Congo To Invest In Agriculture To Reduce Africa’s $50bn Food Import, As Congo Names IITA Research Station After Him

The former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on the Democratic Republic of Congo to invest heavily in Agriculture in order to reduce Africa’s food import of over $50bn.

Obasanjo noted that the government of Congo should in agricultural produce like cassava, soybean, cowpea, and plantain to reduce Africa’s import bill.

The former President made this appeal during the official inauguration of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, IITA, Kalambo Research Station by President Felix Tshisekedi, in Bukavu, Congo.

The research institute was named after the former president as ‘The President Olusegun Obasanjo Research Station’ in honor of Obasanjo being the Goodwill Ambassador of IITA.

Obasanjo said “The first crop to take is cassava. The second crop is soybean because it is very important for human nutrition and livestock. The next is cowpea and lastly plantain. If we invest in these crops, we will be able to reduce the $50 billion that Africa is spending annually on importing food.”

Obasanjo recalled that his administration was able to raise agricultural production of Cassava by 20 million tons during his tenure as president citing agricultural research as paving the way.

The former president commended Dr. Nteranya Sanginga, IITA Director General for his leadership, and the institute (IITA) for its excellent research in addressing the problems facing Africa.

He also congratulated President Tshisekedi of Congo for providing the enabling environment and support to IITA to establish the center, adding that he felt deeply honoured to be part of it.

IITA Director General, Nteranya Sanginga, in his remarks noted that the move to established the research station in Congo was prompted as a result of IITA’s vision to fight hunger and poverty in Africa.

He said “The station is a symbol of our dedication and commitment to building the research and development capacity in DR Congo and the Great Lakes.”

The inauguration had in attendance the President of the African Development Bank, AfDB, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina; Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde; the former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Desalegn, among other dignitaries