Dr. Ahmed Yakubu Alhassan, Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, has called on African scientists to develop technology that will help increase farm productivity.

This, according to him, is paramount because of the dwindling natural resources.

Dr. Alhassan, who was speaking at the opening of the Fourth Planning and General Meeting of Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) in Accra, said only science and technology could address the various challenges to increase productivity in the sector.

“That is why African governments seek the best of technology whether from conventional or biotechnological sources to address the growing problems of climate change and its impact on food security.

“Governments must do this by creating a level field for safe engagement of all technologies in agriculture.

“We cannot achieve these objectives by pulling apart,” the deputy minister noted.

Dr. Alhassan called on African farmers to boost their knowledge to achieve food security and sovereignty.

He said Africa has the needed trained human resources in scientific research to contribute to knowledge and technology development.

Dr. Alhassan said “the era of despair, timidity and sometimes outright cynicism of African agriculture must give way to confidence, mutual trust and co-operation among stakeholders.”

According to him, African products are competing favorably in the global market and this development must be encouraged and supported by investment in the needed infrastructure and agricultural research to deliver enhanced incomes for families in Africa”.

AFSA is a Pan-African platform of 21 networks and farmer organizations championing small African Family Farming/Production Systems based on agro-ecological and indigenous approaches that sustain food sovereignty and the livelihoods of communities.

The 4th Annual Planning and General Meeting of AFSA brought together stakeholders in the agriculture sector and other Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).