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The African Development Bank has reported a significant increase in the demand for wheat across the continent, now exceeding 75 million metric tonnes. This surge highlights an urgent need for strategic investment and innovative solutions within the agricultural sector to meet this growing challenge.
This topic has taken center stage at the West and Central Africa Wheat Summit 2024, currently underway in Abuja since its commencement on Wednesday. The summit serves as a critical platform for stakeholders to explore strategies for enhancing wheat production and addressing supply chain issues in the region.
In a thought-provoking keynote address, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank, highlighted the significant impact of technology on the agricultural sector.
Speaking on his behalf, Dr. Abdul Kamara, Director General of the Nigeria Country Department, elaborated on the ways in which technological innovations could transform farming methods and enhance the livelihoods of farmers across the continent.
Adesina illustrated his point by referencing the remarkable transformation seen in India, where “the proverbial poor Indian farmer has now become an exemplary multi-millionaire agricultural business executive.”
This evolution serves as a powerful example of how agricultural advancements can uplift farmers and reshape the agricultural landscape.
“The use of technology, supported by the right policy environment and investment, has transformed agricultural productivity in many countries, ensuring food security for their populations,” he stated.
“Through adoption of innovative technologies in mechanization, farming techniques, irrigation systems and high-yield crop varieties and conservation agriculture, the Cerrado savannah of Brazil increased cotton production by 300 per cent; corn by 150 per cent and soybean by 75 per cent in the last two decades.
“This has contributed to Brazil becoming a major source of food export in the world today. Similarly, the adoption of technology, when supported by the right policies, can address problems faced by farmers in West and Central Africa, such as climate change, limited access to finance and post-harvest losses among others.
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“Agriculture technology can thus help to advance food security in sustainable ways in the Region. Two decades ago, the total consumption of wheat in Africa was around 25 million metric tons. This has surged to over 75 million metric tons recently,” he added.
Adesina drew comparisons with India, noting that “the proverbial poor Indian farmer has now become an exemplary multi-millionaire agricultural business executive.”
The summit, themed ‘Prioritising Policy, Innovative Technologies and Investments in Wheat Transformation towards Sustainable Food Security and Economy in West and Central Africa’ brought together prominent figures.
Adesina underscored the urgency of addressing wheat dependency in the region, saying, “West and Central Africa imports over 80 per cent of its wheat. This dependency undermines food security and economic stability.”
He highlighted that “transforming our wheat sector offers immense potential for sustainable food security and economic growth.”
He said the dramatic rise in wheat consumption is attributed to several factors, including population growth and changing dietary preferences.
“Africa’s population, currently at 1.5 billion, is projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, prompting a shift towards wheat as a staple food,” he said.