FOOD CRISIS : AFRICA MUST FEED ITSELF, MAKE REVENUE FROM AGRIC DEVELOPMENT . . . ADESINA tells African Heads of Parliaments.

By Mike ALADENIKA. 

The world's reknown agroeconomist and President of African Development Bank Group (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi ADESINA has called on Heads of African Parliaments to push for legislations that would enhance the growth of agriculture in Africa. 

Dr. Akinwumi ADESINA who stated this in a goodwill message to the year 2022 conference of Speakers and Heads of African Parliaments, in Abuja, said food security is a viable weapon for international diplomacy and politics as well as been a source of revenue for nation's. 

Nigeria's former Agriculture Minister said Africa's over dependency on food from other continents has helped to perpetuate poverty across Africa. 

"This conference of speakers must be directed towards tackling the challenges facing our continent. Talking about the challenges is not enough, there must be solutions."

"The Russian war in Ukraine has added another challenge to what we are facing in Africa.  The dependency of African countries on Russia and Ukraine for grains, now suffering a setback because of  the war which has now added to the looming food crisis in Africa."

The African Development Bank President then disclosed that "the bank has designed a $1.5 billion emergency food production plan to support African countries to avert the looming food crisis."

According to Dr. Akinwumi ADESINA, "Africa should be redesigned from food import dependency, Africa must feed itself and do so with pride. The economic recovery must be felt in day to day lives of people. The recovery must create jobs and recover jobs lost, focus on MSMEs, the recovery must focus on youths and tackle debts of Africa. The recovery will require close partnership with executive arm and legislative arm of government. Regardless of the challenges facing our countries, be the solution providers, drive for an economic recovery that’s felt by all."

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