President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has urged for increased investment and innovation in wheat production to improve food security in Nigeria and the African continent.
Speaking at the opening of the West and Central Africa Wheat Summit 2024, Adesina highlighted the potential of technology in agriculture and food security. He expressed concern over the region’s heavy reliance on wheat imports, which currently account for over 80% of the food commodity. This, he warned, undermines both food security and economic stability.
According to him, transforming the Nigerian wheat sector offers immense potential for sustainable food security and economic growth. He noted that the rising population and shifting dietary preferences have contributed to a dramatic increase in wheat consumption.
The AfDB president, who was represented by Dr. Abdul Kamara, the Bank’s Director General for Nigeria, stressed the importance of incorporating technology in agriculture.
He shared an example of the Cerrado Savannah of Brazil, where the adoption of innovative technologies in mechanization, farming techniques, irrigation systems, and high-yield crop varieties has led to a 300% increase in cotton production, a 150% increase in corn production, and a 75% increase in soybean production over the past two decades. This has propelled Brazil to become a major food exporter worldwide.
Adesina argued that with the right policy choices, technology can address the challenges faced by farmers in West and Central Africa, including climate change, limited access to finance, and post-harvest losses. “Agriculture technology can thus help to increase food security in sustainable ways in the region,” he said.
The AfDB president drew attention to the growth in wheat consumption in Africa, which has increased from 25 million metric tons two decades ago to over 75 million metric tons today. He compared Africa’s situation to India, where the adoption of modern agricultural practices has transformed small-scale farmers into successful agricultural business owners.
Adesina expressed the AfDB’s satisfaction with Nigeria’s efforts to achieve national wheat self-sufficiency.
Country Director of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Nigeria, Dominique Kouacou, stressed the need for private sector participation and reaffirmed FAO’s commitment to supporting government initiatives.
In his remarks, Regional Coordinator of the West and Central Africa Wheat Development Network, Prof. Benjamin Ubi, highlighted the role of wheat in global food security and economic growth on the continent. He noted that the increasing demand-supply gap for wheat is driven by urbanization and changing dietary preferences.
He explained that the summit aims to influence policymakers to prioritize wheat production and transformation across the region. It is expected to result in policy reforms, the promotion of innovative technologies, and the identification of investment opportunities to enhance the wheat value chain.
