African govts tasked to increase food security & agric research

The maiden edition of the West African Service Center on Climate and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL) symposium has opened with a call on African governments to increase research into agriculture and food security in the sub-region. This has become necessary due to the seeming food shortage that has hit some parts of the sub-region due to sudden climatic shocks and unsustainable land use. The symposium organised has brought together scientists, environmentalists, farmers and other stakeholders in the sector to find solutions to the problems of climate change and its impact on food security in the country. The 3-day science symposium is themed, ‘Climate and Environmental Services to Reduce Vulnerability and Improve Livelihoods in West Africa: From Theory to Actions’. Stakeholders bemoaned the declining levels of research into agriculture and proper land use in the sub region. A Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Patricia Appiagyei, said government remains committed to other international treaties and pacts that enjoin it to be interested in research. “The many international documents that we have signed as a nation demands of us as a government to ensure that we increase research into the agriculture and science sectors,” she emphasized. “We are very committed to it and will ensure the security of food supply for our people.” Executive Director of WASCAL Dr. Moumini Savadogo is optimistic the conference will produce the needed solutions to prevent regional food shortage. “What we are doing is to consolidate all the research findings we have as a sub-region and ensure that we leverage on what each other have found to save the sub region,” he added. Other speakers backed the need for collaboration between member countries to promote agricultural and scientific growth. By Grace Asare|3FM|3ews.com|Ghana Follow @3Newsgh]]>