The International Institute for Tropical Agriculture has advised African leaders to invest more on the Agric sector to feed the continent and end the spate of hunger among the people.
Director General of the Institute Netaranya Sarginga gave the advice while speaking at a media interaction held recently in Ibadan.
Experts say the Agriculture sector in Africa overtime is confronting challenges such as unimplemented policies, bad governance, lack of accountability, as well as debilitating institutions.
They say this has reduce food production and increased the rate of hunger among 278 million people, representing 20 percent of the continent’s population.
To cushion the effect of this crisis, the Director General of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture wants African leaders to invest in Agriculture to feed Africans by focusing on exportation of farm produce to strengthen economies and provide jobs.
On climate change and other factors affecting Agriculture, the DG says the Institute had made significant progress in mitigating against its effects.
He called on relevant stakeholders to take proactive measures in tackling the effects of drought and weather on the growth of Agriculture.
THE Director-General of the research institute is the 7th and outgoing DG of the institution since its establishment in 1967.
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture was established as the Premier Agriculture Research Agency for Africa in 1967 to provide the research and development backing for Agriculture on the Continent as an area of strength for the Continent.
It has over the years been at the forefront of providing cutting edge research that has led to the production of improved seedlings for Maize, resilient and better yielding Cassava Stems, Rice seeds and even wheat production on the Continent.
Ethiopia is a major beneficiary of its wheat production programme with the hosts of the African Union expected to start Wheat Exports in 2023.
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