Africa asked to prioritise agric research

African governments must improve their support for agricultural research organisations, Vice President Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur has said.

“The need for action on agricultural research is urgent. African Governments must increase funding for agricultural research and extension; farmers’ innovations must find their way into the research agenda to enable Africa achieve its goal of food sufficiency,” Mr. Amissah-Arthur said in Accra at the opening ceremony of the 6th Africa Agriculture Science Week (AASW).

AASW, hosted by the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) in collaboration with the Government of Ghana, brought together over 1,300 scientific researchers, extension officers, farmers, policymakers, development partners, civil society and NGO groups from across the world to discuss the theme “Africa Feeding Africa through Agricultural Science and Innovation”.

According to Mr. Amissah-Arthur: “We need to emphasise scientific research in agriculture, the application of scientific methods and sustainable technologies, innovation and policies based on scientific research.

“Meeting the goal of poverty reduction requires increased agricultural productivity to raise incomes, reduce food prices and stimulate growth in other sectors.”

According to Dr. Kanayo Nwanze, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) who delivered the keynote address, over the past three decades agricultural productivity in Africa has been stagnant or in decline.

“Funding to agriculture, to universities and to research centres fell steadily and steeply. To make matters worse, average global spending on agricultural research also fell.

“The development of a Science Agenda for Agriculture in Africa, under the auspices of FARA, is an important step on the road to a strong agricultural sector. It is all the more important because it is Africa-owned and Africa-led. It holds the promise of African farmers and citizens reaping the benefits of African research,” he said.

He added that the timing of the 6th Africa Agriculture Science Week is particularly pertinent, with the recommendations emanating having a critical role to play in shaping Africa’s agricultural science agenda over the next three years.

The highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the Africa Award for Excellence in Food Security and Poverty Reduction to President John Dramani Mahama by the Chairman of FARA, Dr. Tiemoko Yo.

The award, which was received on behalf of the President by the Minister of Agriculture, Clement Kofi Humado, is the highest award by FARA to honour Ghana for its significant progress in meeting the Millennium Development Goal of halving poverty and hunger ahead of the 2015 deadline.

Highlights of the five-day Africa Agriculture Science Week (AASW) included the observation of Ghana Agricultural Science Day and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between FARA and the African Union Commission (AUC).