The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari says the future of African agriculture will be shaped not by the resources we possess alone, but by the quality of our science, the strength of our institutions, and our commitment to innovation.
According to him, While global partnerships remain important, Africa must invest more boldly in its own scientists, research institutions, and innovation systems.
Sustainable agricultural transformation he said, must increasingly be driven by African knowledge, African leadership, and African investment.
Senator Kyari who stated this on Wednesday in Abuja at the ongoing 9th Africa Agriculture Science Week (AASW9) holding in the Federal Capital City of Abuja noted that throughout history, no nation has achieved lasting agricultural prosperity without first investing in science. Stressing that countries such as Japan, the Republic of Korea, Brazil, India, and China transformed their agriculture through sustained investment in research, innovation, and strong institutions that turned scientific discoveries into food security and economic growth.
"The lesson is clear: prosperous agriculture is built on research, strategic investment, effective institutions, and continuous innovation". He said.
He said for Nigeria, this lesson has never been more relevant being Africa's largest economy and one of its leading agricultural producers, we recognize that our future food security depends not only on expanding cultivated land but on expanding knowledge.Saying that Nations that invest in science create technologies, solve problems, and build resilient agricultural systems that drive sustainable development.
He said it is this conviction that underpins the agricultural transformation agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Minister was pleased to share Nigeria's journey of renewed commitment to agricultural research, institutional reform, and strategic investment.
He said from the outset, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Administration recognized that increasing production alone would not be enough; and sustainable transformation requires a modern agricultural system driven by science, innovation, technology, and evidence base policymaking.
Accordingly, he said the Federal Government is strengthening agricultural production alongside research, financing, mechanization, extension, value addition, and market development, and "this integrated approach recognizes that every successful agricultural intervention, from improved crop varieties and soil restoration to climate adaptation and livestock improvement, must be anchored in sound scientific evidence."
He also noted that Agricultural research is no longer viewed as a supporting function but as a strategic national investment that drives productivity, resilience, competitiveness, and long-term prosperity.
Around the world he said, countries that have successfully transformed their agriculture have done so by investing in research that generates technologies, adapts innovation to local realities, and delivers practical solutions to farmers and industry, and Nigeria is privileged to possess one of Africa's most comprehensive agricultural research systems.
Over the years he said, we have established a network of specialized institutions that generate knowledge, develop technologies, build scientific capacity, and support innovation across the agricultural value chain.
"This research infrastructure remains a strategic asset for achieving food security and agricultural transformation.At the centre of this system is the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), which provides strategic leadership, coordination, quality assurance, and policy direction for agricultural research.
" Through ARCN, Government aligns research priorities with national development goals while strengthening collaboration among research institutes, Federal Colleges of Agriculture, universities, extension services, and the private sector"He said.
The Minister also believed that no nation can transform African agriculture alone, and therefore Nigeria remains committed to working with FARA, the African Union, AUDA-NEPAD, CGIAR Centres, Regional Economic Communities, and other partners to build a resilient and competitive African agrifood system, and called on the participants at the Forum to deliberate and take decisive action by investing in science, empowering our researchers, young innovators, and accelerating the commercialization of African technologies.
"As we deliberate throughout this Science Week, let us move beyond dialogue to decisive action by investing in science, empowering our researchers and young innovators, and accelerating the commercialization of African technologies." He said.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi his happiness for Nigeria to host this year 9th Africa Agriculture Science Week in the capital city of Abuja.
According to him, Nigeria is proud to be home of one of its largest prosperity in isolation.
He was observed that this year theme: "Innovation and Partnership for Resilient and Sustainable Agrifood System in Africa" was build around scientists, policy makers, investors, development partners, farmers and innovators to engaged in discussion on emerging technologies, climate resilient agriculture, nutrition and healthy food systems, and the institutional and financing mechanisms required to scale impact.
Dr. Abdullahi reminded that science is no longer confined to laboratories, but the engine that drives productivity, resilience, and inclusive economic growth.
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