By Edward Acquah/Valarie Asare
Accra, Nov. 19, GNA – The West and Central Africa Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF) has urged African countries to increase their investments in agriculture research to support innovations towards transforming agriculture on the continent.
The Forum observed that funding for research towards sustainable agricultural practices were not enough and rallied support for scientists to develop cutting-edge research to address emerging issues such climate change, biodiversity loss and their impact on agri-food systems.
Dr Moumini Savadogo, the Executive Director of CORAF, made the call at the opening ceremony of a symposium on the State of Agriculture and Environmental Sustainability in West and Central Africa in Accra on Tuesday.
The three-day programme, organised by the CORAF in collaboration with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), was on the theme: “”Agriculture and Environmental Sustainability: The Path to Transforming Agri-Food Systems in West and Central Africa”.
The event assembled about 60 researchers and experts, policy makers, international partners, and private sector representatives, to discuss the crucial issues of the sustainability of agri-food systems in the region and proffer innovative solutions.
Prof. Savadogo said climate change threatened food security on the continent and advocated the promotion of “science-based solutions” to help the continent build resilience and sufficiency in food production.
“The governments and the private sector should invest in agriculture research and development particularly in the structural funding mechanisms that can help our national agricultural research systems to get up-to date technologies, and equipment,” he said.
The African continent is increasingly battling with extreme drought, erratic rainfall, rising sea levels, flooding and other challenges that impact food systems and contribute to hunger and poverty.
According to The State of the Climate in Africa 2019 report, major cereal crops grown across Africa will be adversely impacted by climate change by 2050, projecting a reduction in mean yield of 13 per cent in West and Central Africa, 11 per cent in North Africa, and 8 per cent in East and Southern Africa.
Agriculture is the backbone of Africa’s economy and accounts for the majority of livelihoods across the continent.
Professor Paul Bosu, the Director-General of the CSIR, said research should be the bedrock of building sustainable food systems against climate change on the continent.
He urged farmers to use the innovations developed by researchers to achieve sustainable food security.
“If famers prefer to use the old technologies and methodologies in farming then we are not going to achieve much.” Prof. Bosu said.
Dr Patrick Nomo, Chief Director of the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, said farmers must adopt innovative ways to build resilience against the changing weather patterns and increase their yields and income.
He urged the participants to brainstorm innovative solutions to support policy decisions that would address challenges in the sector.
“We expect that this symposium will begin to prompt us about the need to look beyond today and act ahead of the future.” Dr Nomo said.
GNA