African researchers to resolve agric. problems

African researchers have resolved to seek new methods of tackling the problems that impede agricultural production and productivity on the continent.

The resolution is the main substance of a four-day symposium that ended in Yaounde on August 29, organised by the African Network for Agriculture, Agroforestry and Natural Resources Education, ANAFE, in collaboration with the University of Dschang.

The symposium was based on the theme “The role of tertiary education in the development of agro-business and risk management in African agriculture.”

In his opening address, Dschang University Rector, Prof. Anaclet Fomethe, representing the Minister of Higher Education,said the symposium was relevant and timely.

“The various risks like climate change, deforestation, marginalisation of micro producers and price instability that our agriculture sector is exposed to, require urgent action,” Fomethe observed.

He said there was a pertinent need for participants to discuss possible means of managing risk and uncertainties that pose challenges to agriculture in Africa and bring up new ideas towards the development of agro-business in the continent.

Fomethe equally stressed on the need to train competent agro scientists and experts who would not just be content to repeat the errors of the past, but would use their initiative and bring about new ideas to improve on the system of agriculture in Africa. “Agriculture is of utmost concern in the development of African countries,” Fomethe further stated.

Quoting President Biya in his speech at the 2012 agro-pastoral show in Ebolowa, Prof. Fomethe said Cameroon is depending highly on the primary sector, especially agriculture, to become an emerging country by 2035. However, as per a study carried out by the African Union, the annual turnover from the agriculture sector is very low, whereas Africa possesses circa 60 percent of the world’s fertile soils.

Contrary to the stipulated 10 percent of the budget that each African Government is supposed to set aside for the sector, according to an African Union project in 2003, most Governments have been reserving less and this is another contributing factor to the low agricultural returns.

He therefore called on experts and all other stakeholders to use the symposium as a means to bring about positive change, particularly in the area of agricultural research.

ANAFE Board Chair, John Saka, said the symposium was a forum to examine how they could use tertiary agricultural education to manage the risks in agriculture. “We need to build human capital to work to mitigate these risks and uncertainties in agriculture and enhance agro business.

Agro-business concerns here are primordial since we need to produce quality products so as to have a good market,” the ANAFE boss of Malawian origin said. The participants at the symposium listened to talks on diverse issues pertaining to agriculture and research in Africa.

Executive Secretary of ANAFE-Kenya, Dr. Aissétou Dramé Yayé, talked to the participants about lining agricultural research with education and the private sector. Various climate change adaptation strategies were also discussed. Rectors of the Universities of Abomey-Calavi in Benin, Nangui Abrogua in Cote d’Ivoire, Abdou Moumouni of Niger, agro experts and other stakeholders attended the symposium.