Africa Must Turn Food Security Commitments Into Action—Minister

The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), Aliyu Abdullahi on Thursday called for stronger partnerships among African governments, research institutions, development partners and the private sector to tackle food insecurity and build resilient agricultural systems across the continent.

Abdullahi said Africa must move beyond commitments and translate agricultural policies, research and partnerships into concrete actions capable of improving food production, strengthening climate resilience and delivering measurable benefits to farmers.

The minister made the call on Thursday in Abuja at the closing session of the 9th Africa Agriculture Science Week and 10th General Assembly of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA).

He said the continent’s agricultural challenges required coordinated efforts, particularly through collaborative research, stronger institutions and increased investment in the agrifood sector.

“The conversations that began here must not end here. The partnerships established in Abuja must mature into collaborative research, stronger institutions, increased investment and measurable impact in the lives of our farmers. Africa cannot afford fragmented efforts. Our future depends on collective action,” he said.

Abdullahi said science, innovation and collaboration remained critical to transforming Africa’s agrifood systems and achieving food security, urging stakeholders to sustain the partnerships established during the four-day gathering.

He said the outcomes of the assembly should translate into practical interventions across the agricultural sector, particularly in strengthening food systems and improving the resilience of farmers to climate-related challenges.

The minister also said agricultural research institutions, governments and private-sector players must work more closely to ensure that research findings translate into solutions that benefit farmers and agribusinesses.

The assembly also witnessed the election of a new Board of Directors for FARA, with Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe emerging as chairman for a three-year tenure.

Other members of the new board are Aggrey Agumya, FARA Executive Director; Sylvester D. Baguma; Dagmore Tawonezyi; Adel Abdel Azim; Moumini Savadogo; Simon Ehui; Philip Boahen; Kennedy Ayason; Anthony Boateng; Judith Ngang and Hortense.

In his acceptance speech, Bagabe pledged to strengthen agricultural research and innovation, deepen strategic partnerships and mobilise resources and investment to advance food security across Africa.

He said his tenure would focus on translating FARA’s objectives into measurable results, while promoting resilient food systems, improving livelihoods and strengthening the capacity of young people and women in agriculture.

Bagabe also said FARA would continue to pursue agricultural innovation and climate resilience in line with the objectives of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Kampala Declaration.

FARA connects regional research organisations, national agricultural research systems, universities, CGIAR centres, farmer organisations, the private sector and development partners in agricultural research and innovation across Africa.

The minister said Nigeria would continue to support FARA’s mandate and expressed confidence that the resolutions of the General Assembly would contribute to implementing the CAADP Kampala Declaration and advancing the agricultural goals of the African Union’s Agenda 2063.