Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Ibrahim Ramalan
Published on 2024-03-03 14:55:30
The African Development Bank (AfDB) is playing a key role in supporting Nigeria’s efforts to enhance food production by focusing on the cultivation of rice, maize, cassava, and soybeans. This support is being facilitated through a $134 million funding from the bank, as announced by its president, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, during his visit to the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA) at Bayero University, Kano.
Dr. Adesina revealed that the AfDB is committed to assisting Nigeria in cultivating 300,000 hectares each of rice and maize, 150,000 hectares of cassava, and 50,000 hectares of soybeans in the upcoming 2024 planting season. Additionally, he mentioned that the bank will support the cultivation of heat-tolerant wheat varieties on 118,000 hectares and maize on 150,000 hectares starting in March.
Addressing the challenges posed by climate change, Dr. Adesina emphasized the importance of increasing irrigation in African agriculture and adapting to climate change through the cultivation of dryland crops that are more resilient. He highlighted the necessity of providing timely and relevant information to farmers to help them adapt to changing weather patterns.
Furthermore, the AfDB plans to provide grants to the CDA and collaborate on making the center a hub for predicting weather patterns and gathering crucial information for better farm planning. The goal is to establish the CDA as a center of excellence in agricultural technology, aiding farmers in developing effective strategies for sustainable agricultural practices.
In addition to supporting agricultural initiatives, the AfDB will provide grants for youth entrepreneurs to turn their business ideas into reality through programs like ‘Agri Pitch’ and ‘Agri Hacking.’ Dr. Adesina commended the efforts of Bayero University, Kano, and the CDA in leveraging technology to assist farmers in tackling climate change challenges.
The Director of CDA, Prof. Jibrin Mohammed-Jibrin, highlighted the center’s focus on research and teaching in development initiatives, particularly in dryland agriculture. The CDA aims to improve livelihoods, enhance resilience, and promote sustainable use of natural resources in African dryland regions through research and training programs.
Since its establishment in 2012 with support from the World Bank, the CDA has received grants for research and has trained numerous doctoral and master’s degree students, as well as farmers in agro-ecological practices. Serving as a regional training hub for West and Central Africa, the CDA is instrumental in addressing development challenges in dryland areas of the sub-regions.
Overall, the collaboration between the AfDB, Bayero University, Kano, and the CDA signifies a concerted effort to boost agricultural productivity, enhance food security, and build resilience in the face of climate change in Nigeria and beyond. The support provided by these institutions reflects a commitment to sustainable agricultural practices and the empowerment of farmers for a more resilient agricultural sector.
Read the original article on DailyNigerian.com
