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IBADAN, Nigeria- The President of Sierra Leone, Julius Bio, expressed concerns on Wednesday in Ibadan about the annual expenditure of 50 billion U.S. dollars on food imports by African nations.
During his address at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) on the third day of his visit, Bio remarked that the food products imported by these countries could be cultivated locally.
He encouraged African leaders to step up efforts to shift the reliance on imported food.
Bio emphasized the importance of prioritizing food security to alleviate the hardships faced by Africans, stating, “We need to focus on what truly matters; food security encompasses not only food but also our economy, health, job opportunities, and much more.”
He noted the challenges in convincing African nations at high levels to take agriculture seriously, with notable exceptions being Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Tanzania, which have made significant advancements in food security.
He urged African nations to establish the necessary infrastructure to attract agricultural investment, highlighting the substantial financial resources required to support this sector.
“African governments should mobilize domestic resources and collaborate with the private sector. These actions can facilitate financing for agriculture,” he suggested.
Bio also encouraged countries to explore internal resources creatively, particularly amid the recent cuts in global development funding. He pointed out the difficulties faced in accessing necessary funds from international financial institutions, stating, “Even prior to the recent global challenges, it has been tough because these institutions have made it difficult for us to obtain funding.”
Hafez Ghanem, a speaker at the strategic dialogue and former World Bank vice-president, argued that African nations cannot claim sovereignty if they rely on others for their food supply.
He stressed the critical need for Africa to prioritize food security and agriculture.
Ghanem noted that Africa, with a population of about 1.4 billion and comprised of 54 countries, contrasts with India, which operates as a single nation.
He suggested that the continent should unite and draw lessons from India, particularly regarding agricultural research and technology to boost crop yields through improved seeds and techniques.
He advocated for the establishment of a centralized, pan-African research and technology center for agriculture.
Ghanem also called for Africa to produce its own fertilizers if it aims to enhance agricultural yields, pointing out that around two-thirds of fertilizers used in Africa are imported, and local production could lower costs for farmers.
Furthermore, he supported the idea of collaborative irrigation projects across the continent to improve agriculture overall.
In their speeches, Governors Babagana Zulum of Borno, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, and the host governor, Seyi Makinde, shared successful agri-business efforts in their states.
Governor Zulum mentioned significant investments in mechanized farming and support for small-scale farmers through resource provision and creating a favorable environment for them.
Governor Mutfwang reported on reviving agricultural institutions and enhancing leadership within the sector, as well as subsidizing fertilizer costs to boost large-scale food production.
Governor Makinde highlighted his administration's focus on improving infrastructure to attract agricultural investors, noting the success of the Fashola Agri-business Hub Initiative in drawing investment and the positive impact of a subsidy program for tractorization for farmers.
President Bio's visit to IITA aimed to strengthen collaborations, stimulate innovation, and promote investment mobilization to accelerate the Feed Salone Programme, a significant initiative by the Sierra Leone government to tackle food insecurity and malnutrition.
