AfDB partners BUK’s dryland agriculture centre to end food insecurity in Nigeria

By Uzair Adam 

The African Development Bank (AfDB) said that it would transform agriculture as part of the measures to mitigate food insecurity in Nigeria.

The Vice President of the African Development Bank, Beth Dunford, stated Wednesday during a visit to the Center for Dryland Agriculture (CDA), Bayero University, Kano.

Danford emphasised the critical role advanced science and technology play in revolutionizing agriculture, not only in Nigeria but worldwide.

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The meeting is part of the bank’s concerted effort to partner with the centre to address the menacing issue of food insecurity, unemployment and hunger in Nigeria.

Inflation around the globe, unemployment and food insecurity remained the most lingering issues in Nigeria over the years. 

Beth Dunford said, “Following our President, Akinwumi Adesina’s visit to this university, he was very impressed about what he saw and the potential.

“He asked me to come here directly to talk with the Vice Chancellor and the Director Centre for Dryland Agriculture and see how African Development can sport this very impressive effort we see on the ground.”

Earlier addressing the visitors, the Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas, commended the enormous effort by the bank to transform agriculture. 

Professor Abbas highted the success stories of the answer, including the partnership and the grant the center has received from the World Bank and MacArthur Foundation. 

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Speaking to journalists after the event, the CDA Director, Jibrin Muhammad Jibrin, said the centre is partnering with the bank on three areas which include climate adoption, youth and entrepreneurship, and modern and climate adaptation.

He also highlighted that the centre is in collaboration with institutions and communities, saying it has adopted 22 adopted communities in its catchment area.

The Vice President accompanied by senior bank`s officials were taken for a facility tour to the Food and feed Analysis Laboratory, Molecular and Microbiology Laboratory, Centre for Instrumentation Laboratory and the university`s farm.