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 LUSAKA — The African Development Bank (AfDB) has given research institutions in Africa funds to help them embark on research projects aimed at improving agricultural production on the continent, a senior official said in an interview with Xinhuaon Monday.
   Freddie Kwesiga, the bank’s representative in Zambia said in an interview that science-based agriculture was key to unlocking Africa’s agricultural potential and to promote food security on the continent, adding that the bank has so far provided a grant of US$63 million to research institutions in Africa to conduct research in order to boost production.

“Science-based agriculture is an innovative key to high production of crops and food security in Africa. We are trying to back-up science and technology in order to cushion production impediments,” he said.

According to him, research is being conducted on various crops that could be planted in order to boost production and promote food security such as soya beans and cassava instead of depending on maize which mainly depends on rains.

While acknowledging that Africa has abundant arable land and that the continent could become a world supplier of food, the AfDB chief said production  has been low, adding that the dependence on fertilizer to grow crops such as maize has caused havoc to soil fertility.

“We have established a fund so that we can encourage research on various crops in order for the continent to be food secure. We are trying to encourage diversification in the agriculture sector,” he added.  Early this month, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), a research-hub based in Zambia launched construction works for a regional agricultural research center.

The Southern Africa Research and Administration Hub (SARAH) will be a focal point of IITA’s research, training, outreach ad business support.

Once built, key facilities will include laboratories for natural resource management, agronomy and crop physiology, pest management, social sciences, plant breeding, biotechnology, geographical information systems, crop use and nutrition as well as post-harvest facility.

The AfDB has provided 1.6 billion dollars towards the construction of the research hub for southern Africa.  The research hubs in Africa are members of the Consultative Group on International Agriculture Research (CGIAR), a global partnership established to provide science-based solutions for constraints to sustainable agriculture development. – Xinhua.