Conference on ecosystem restoration key to achieving food security — BUK VC

The vice chancellor Bayero University Kano (BUK), Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas has said that a conference on ecosystem restoration would play a vital role in shaping research, policies and programmes to achieve food security.

Professor Adamu, made this known on Tuesday at the 4th International Conference on Dry Lands and Food for west Africa network conference, organized by the Centre for Dryland Agriculture BUK, held in Kano.

Speaking on his behalf, the deputy vice-chancellor management services, Professor Muhammad Umar Sani, the vice chancellor explained that, the institute was committed to creating a natural environment that empowers peasants of the dryland, to achieve food security.

He however disclosed that the conference would go a long way in fostering collaboration, and dialogue among scholars, practitioners, and policymakers, to address the unique challenges of Africa.

According to him,” We are remained of the economic diversity, experiences and perspectives that enrich our understanding of the dry land”.

Earlier, the director Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA), BUK, Professor Jibrin Muhammad Jibrin, stated that the theme of the conference aligns with the current UN Decade for Ecosystem Restoration, which underscores the need to restore the planet’s fragile ecosystems while, at the same time, addressing food security challenges.

He said that 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.”

Speaking on the occasion, the chairman of the CDA conference, Professor Salisu Aliyu Bara’u, emphasised the need for concerted efforts and funds to address ecological crisis, hunger, food insecurity, extreme poverty and support the hard-to-reach populations of the region.

West Africa is currently embroiled in vulnerabilities and uncertainties, that are unconnected to land degradation and climate change.

The program manager, Africa Centre 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 launched in 2021. World Bank will do their best to support this initiative even beyond the project time to transform agricultural landscape not only in West Africa but in the region”.

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