NAIROBI, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Speaking at the DialogueNEXT Africa forum on Tuesday in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, senior African officials stressed the urgency of reimagining local farming networks, boosting climate resilience, and enhancing global market competitiveness.
Mutahi Kagwe, Kenya's cabinet secretary for agriculture and livestock development, said that African nations must adopt farmer-centric tech and financing solutions.
Kagwe said Africa will be home to one in four people by 2050, hence the urgency to explore new ways to transform food systems amid challenges such as climate change, market volatility, depleted soils, pests, diseases, and the high cost of inputs like seeds and fertilizer.
He added that investments in research and development for improved crop varieties, irrigation, value addition and improved post-harvest management are key to achieving food and income security for African farmers.
Akinwumi Adesina, former president of the African Development Bank, noted that the continent possesses two-thirds of the world's uncultivated arable land.
By utilizing this resource sustainably, Africa can boost local food production, drive exports, increase farmers' revenues, and stimulate indigenous manufacturing, Adesina added.
The day-long event brought together over 300 delegates, including agriculture ministers, policy experts, researchers, innovators, funders, and agripreneurs.
