The Vice Chancellor, Bayero University Kano, (BUK) Prof. Sagir Adamu Abbas, has describe ecosystem restoration, as pivotal in shaping research, policies and programs to achieve food security in Africa.
The Vice Chancellor made the disclosure during the fourth International Conference on Drylands and Food4WA For West Africa Conference, organized by Centre for Dryland Agriculture(CDA) BUK, in Kano on Tuesday.
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The conference has the theme “Ecosystem Restoration and Natural Resources Management: Exploring Opportunities for Food Security in the Drylands” and “Improving Climate-Resilient Agriculture in West Africa: Leveraging the Success of the Regional Africa Centers of Excellence”
Represented by the Deputy VC BUK Management Service, Prof. Mahmoud Umar-Sani, the VC said the institute was committed to creating natural environment that empowers the peasants of dryland to achieve food security.
“It underscores the importance of fostering collaboration and dialogue among scholars, practitioners and policy makers to address the unique challenges of Africa.
“Economic diversity, experiences and perspectives that enrich our understanding of the dryland,” Adamu Abbas said.
On his part, the Director Center for Dryland Agriculture (CDA), BUK, Prof.Jibrin Mohammed Jibrin, said theme of the confrence aligns with the current UN Decade for Ecosystem Restoration, which underscores the need to restore the planet’s fragile ecosystems and food security challenges.
According to him,the collaboration with the Food for West Africa Network, would address development challenges and enhance food security through research, training and community engagement.
“Through rigorous training, cutting-edge research and meaningful outreach we have strived to enhance the adaptability of these regions to the ever changing environmental dynamics.
Earlier speaking, the Chairman of the CDA conference, Prof.Salisu Aliyu Barau, emphasized the need for concerted efforts and funds to address ecological crisis, hunger, food insecurity, extreme poverty and supporting the hard to reach populations of the region.
Barau noted that Africa most especially west Africa is currently embroiled in vulnerabilities and uncertainties that are unconnected to land degradation and climate change.
“The best restoration is ecological restoration.Ecological restoration is an opportunity for building peace”Aliyu-Barau said
Also the Program Manager, Africa Center of Excellence (ACE), Dr Sylvia Mkandawire, commended ICRISAT and International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), for their contributions in addressing food security.
“Food4WA for West Africa network was lunched in 2021.
“World Bank will do their best to support this inniative even beyond the project time to transform agricultural landscape not only in West Africa but in the region” Mkandawire said. (NAN).
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Thanks for the updating,hope we field worker will join.