Protocol
Ladies and gentlemen,
Permit me to specially acknowledge and greet my brother and friend, Dr
William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya for the warm reception
accorded me and my entourage since my arrival in the country. I am
indeed grateful and couldn’t have asked for more.
I am honored and delighted to stand before you today at this maiden
edition of the African Conference on Agricultural Technology (ACAT).
The theme for this conference, “Agricultural Resilience through
Innovation,” is very apt and timely as it resonates and connects with
ongoing concern and lingering debate on the challenges and
opportunities we face in the agricultural sector across our beautiful
continent.
Africa, with its immense agricultural potential, is home to over 60 percent
of the world’s arable land, and yet, we often find ourselves grappling with
food insecurity and the vagaries of climate change including pests and
diseases. The path to agricultural resilience and food security lies in the
effective and innovative use of technology.
In spite of its endowments, Africa is vulnerable to food inadequacy that
further heightens high food imports which in recent years has been
threatened due to global shocks associated with COVID-19 and the
Ukraine-Russian war that disrupted global food supply chain. Africa has
been most devastated by these developments leaving it with rising and
suffocating food prices that are no longer affordable. We cannot continue
like this, as we must, as a necessity match the inherent and abundant
resources on the continent with agricultural prosperity with none one left
in hunger.
Your Excellency, ladies and gentlemen, as you all know, innovation is the
bedrock of all evolutionary transformative change. Africa must rapidly
evolve by embracing innovation to foster resilience in its agricultural
endeavours. Innovation must be part of our resolute course to re-
shaping our agricultural outlook that should help our farmers to ably
adopt new approaches to effectively withstand or overcome the myriad
of challenges that currently bedevils the sector. it is by being creative
and innovative that we as a people and a continent can bestow on
ourselves a well secure food, nutrition and economic prosperity. Let us
reflect on what this means.
Firstly, innovation in agriculture is not optional; it’s a necessity. The
world’s population is growing, and with it, is the demand for food.
Climate change poses threats to our traditional agricultural practices. We
need innovations that will ensure we continue producing what we like in
good volumes by making our production system(s) more efficient,
sustainable, and climate-smart.
Secondly, innovative technologies can bridge the current production gap
and help the continent to fast track the attainment of self-sufficiency in
food production. Africa has made significant strides in accessing and
adopting technology, but there is still much more to be done. We must
invest in research and development, integrate cutting-edge science in
the development of advanced innovative technologies to enhance
precision agriculture, biotechnology, and digital platforms that connect
farmers with knowledge and skill from planning through production to
markets. These innovations empower our farmers, improve yields, and
boost income.
Thirdly, innovation is not just about technology; it’s also about knowledge
and capacity transfer. We must invest in training and capacity
strengthening for all involved in the food value chain, be they
researchers, regulators, traders and not forgetting consumers especially
on the critical matter of nutrition and quality of life. We must provide
quality, effective extension services to ensure that our farmers are
equipped with the skills and knowledge to effectively utilize these new
technologies. The youth, in particular, must be encouraged to see
agriculture as a viable, modern, and profitable career. As President, my
administration sought to run agriculture as a business and make it
attractive to youths through a project we called Nagroprenuer
programme that encouraged young people to see agriculture as a
profitable enterprise. This and other initiatives taken in the Agricultural
Transformation Agenda of my administration boosted local food security
in Nigeria and took my country closer to self-sufficiency in food
production by recording more than 50% reduction in food imports.
Fourthly, innovation must be inclusive. Our smallholder farmers, who
make up the backbone of our agriculture, should not be left behind.
Innovations should be tailored to suit the needs of these farmers and
address their concerns. Resources, both financial and technological,
should be made accessible to these farmers to also allow them to
innovate, to invent and to participate in economic development more
usefully. Inclusivity in innovation is crucial for equitable development and
growth in the sector.
Lastly, we must foster collaboration. I have been told there is a Kiswahili
saying that states that one finger cannot kill a louse. This is equivalent to
a saying in my own backyard that states that together we can move
mountains. It all means we need to do things together. It is what the
Kenyan spirit of Harambee – Building together, also embodies. No man
is an island, and we must learn to work together, to co-exist, to consult
and build each other. Partnerships between governments, the public and
private sector, non-governmental organisations, research institutions,
farmers, community groups and other stakeholders are vital to
agricultural development. Though collaboration, we can pool resources,
share expertise, and drive innovation for the advancement of our
agricultural landscape.
Last year, I accepted to work with AATF as their Ambassador for
Agricultural Technology. That decision was informed by my growing
interest in farming and my personal belief in the work they do
–facilitating access and delivery of agricultural technologies for the
benefits of farmers in Africa.
In the last 20 years, AATF has contributed significantly to African’s quest
to improve her agricultural systems with the introduction of technologies
that were hitherto unaffordable, too expensive and out of the reach of
our smallholder farmers –through their facilitation of access and delivery
of array of diversified technologies. With a clear vision for Africa and
farmers on the continent, including processors, agrodealers, scientists
and others across agricultural value chains, I am convinced that AATF
has its focus right – i.e., making a difference for the continent and its
people!
Ladies and gentlemen, I want to underscore that the journey towards
agricultural resilience through innovation is a shared responsibility. It
requires political will, investment, and a commitment to the welfare of our
people. It’s about ensuring that no one goes to bed hungry and that the
efforts of our hardworking farmers are rewarded. If we handle
agricultural resilience right, we shall move, as a continent, in placing
agriculture in good stead and as pedestal for economic recovery and
prosperity.
In conclusion, as we convene to discuss the vital role of innovation in
building agricultural resilience in Africa, let us remember that it is not
only an opportunity but also our duty to harness the full potential of our
agricultural sector. The future of our continent depends on it.
Let this conference serve as a launch pad for new ideas, collaborations,
good discourse and partnerships that will propel Africa to the forefront of
agricultural innovation and resilience. Together, we can create a brighter
and more food and nutrition secure future for the generations to come.
Thank you, and may this conference be a resounding success.
God bless you all.
