Conference on ecosystem restoration pivotal to achieving food security-VC
By Khadija Aliyu
The vice chancellor Bayero university kano (BUK), Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas says, a conference on ecosystem restoration, would play a vital role in shaping research, policies and programs to achieve food security.
Professor Adamu, made the indication during the 4th International conference on drylands and food for west Africa network conference, organized by center for dryland agriculture BUK, held in Kano.
Represented by 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 stressed that, the conference would go a long way in fostering collaboration, and dialogue among scholars, practitioners and policy makers, to address the unique challenges of Africa.
“we are remained of the economic diversity, experiences and perspectives that enrich our understanding of the dryland”
Earlier in his remarks, the director center for Dryland Agriculture (CDA), BUK, Professor Jibrin Muhamamd Jibrin, pointed out 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 highlighted 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.
In his remarks, the chairman of the CDA conference, Professor Salisu Aliyu Bara’u, 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.
According to him, west Africa is currently embroiled in vulnerabilities and uncertainties, that are unconnected to land degradation and climate change.
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”
The conference themed:ecosystem restoration and natural resource management:Exploring opportunities for food security in the drylands” witnessed large turn out of academicians, and relevant stakeholders in dryland agricultural sector, from within and outside the country.
