I would like to thank you Louise for your very kind invitation and your gracious comments. I would also like to congratulate Wageningen University & Research on its 100th anniversary. Wageningen is one of the best universities in agriculture in the world. As Professor Louise Fresco will tell you, “it is the best.” Oh well, I am not going to disagree with my big sister. Hearty congratulations!
Louise you have called us into a discussion to talk about what is extremely critical to our world. Let us just all be clear that there are certain things we should never get used to. The abnormal should never become normal. Not having food is abnormal.
https://iso.keq.mybluehost.me/nigeria-zero-hunger-forum-proffer-steps-to-end-hunger/
In the world today, the number of hungry people has increased from 777 million in 2015 to 815 million people in 2016. In the case of Africa, climate change will add an additional 38 million people that are hungry by 2050, according to the International Food Policy Research Institute. Let’s also be clear, we are not yet winning the war against global hunger and malnutrition.
We have a moral responsibility to tackle this problem. It’s one that we can collectively address. In the case of Africa, there is absolutely no reason for food insecurity on the continent.
Africa has 65 percent of all uncultivated arable land in the world to feed 9 billion people by 2050.
Therefore, what Africa does with agriculture will determine the future of food in the world. The greatest agenda we have is how to unlock Africa’s agricultural potential. As my late mentor, Dr. Norman Borlaug used to say, “you cannot eat potential.’
Let’s talk about the opportunities in agriculture.
First and foremost is the size of food and agribusiness in Africa, which will be a one trillion-dollar industry by 2030. Quite naturally, this is a money-making sector to help not only to feed Africa, but also to create an enormous amount of wealth for Africa. The irony is that Africa is spending US$35 billion on food imports each year, which if nothing is done will rise to 110 billion dollars by 2020.
Just think of the Savannas of Africa. There are 400 million hectares of Savannah, of which only 10% is cultivated. That is, a mere 40 million hectares.
https://iso.keq.mybluehost.me/unleashing-the-great-potential-of-africas-youth-to-achieve-sustainable-development/
If Africa can get the right tech to raise productivity, transform its savannahs, turn agriculture into a business and address the issue of nutrition – Africa can feed itself in 10 years and contribute to feeding the world in the years to come.
What is the African Development Bank doing to unlock that potential?
Key programs we have rolled out.
I just want to say that what the Bank does is in alignment with the development policy of the Netherlands. I am delighted to be here in the Netherlands with a great partner in agriculture.
We will build a bigger alliance to ensure zero hunger in Africa.
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