The Dean, Faculty of Earth and Environmental Studies, Professor Aliyu Barau, has described ecological restoration as an opportunity to building peace in Africa.
Mr Barau stated this in his address at the opening of 4th International Conference on Drylands and Food For West Africa Conference, organized by Centre for Deyland Agriculture, held in Bayero University Kano, BUK, in Kano on Tuesday.
Mr Barau, who is the Chairman of the conference, noted that more than ever before, there is an urgent need for concerted efforts and funds to address ecological crises, hunger, food insecurity, extreme poverty and supporting the hard-to-reach populations of the region.
READ ALSO: Ace Kano photographer, Maikatanga scoops top prize in African climate, weather contest
According to him, Africa, especially West Africa is currently embroiled in vulnerabilities and uncertainties that are unconnected to land degradation and climate change.
He added that many parts of the Sahel belt are considered as ground zero for climate change, explaining that “this is simply because drylands cover-45% of the Earth’s land area and accommodate 40% of its human population, many of whom live in extreme poverty.
“Drylands have limited capacities to adapt and are particularly vulnerable to myriad forms of risks and stressors. The IPCC’s AR7 and many others reveal that surface warming in drylands has been higher than the global average, and temperatures could rise by up to 4 degree Celsius in more extreme emissions scenarios,” he said.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it is a common knowledge that our region, the West Africa is currently embroiled in vulnerabilities, uncertainties and ambiguities not unconnected to land degradation and climate change.
“Ecological restoration is an opportunity for building peace. More than ever before, there is an urgent need for concerted efforts and funds to address ecological crises, hunger, food insecurity, extreme poverty and supporting the hard-to-reach populations of the region,” Mr Barau said.
The Dean noted that the conference is itself a manifestation of human vulnerability, which according to him, was originally planned for the last quarter of the year 2020 but could not hold due to COVID-19 pandemic.
“Indeed, the best restoration is ecological restoration. Hence, our conference theme: ecosystem restoration and natural resource management: Exploring opportunities for food security in the drylands is timely and highly relevant to crises all around us.
“This theme also aligns itself with the UN Decade for Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) and the SDG-13 on Life on Land. Indeed, we are proud to have over 60 papers from different disciplinary and nationality backgrounds.
“Even as we respond through knowledge platforms like this, I must say the developed world has failed the Sahel region. Why and how? There has been a steady increase of interest in the geo-politics, resources, and astro-politics than seen in supporting building ecological resilience in the region,” he said.
In his remarks, the Director, Centre for Dryland Agriculture, Professor Jibrin Jibrin disclosed that the centre was able to enhance the adaptability of the African regions to the ever- changing environmental dynamics through rigorous training, cutting-edge research, and meaningful outreach.
Mr Jibrin noted that the conference was aimed at robbing shoulders with stakeholders in a bid to come up with solutions to the problem of climate change as it affects environment and food security in the African region.
“One of our flagship programs, the International Conference on Drylands, has been instrumental in disseminating valuable research findings, fostering connections among scientists, practitioners, and stakeholders, and catalyzing positive change.
“It is with immense pleasure and a profound sense of purpose that we extend our warmest welcome to you all to the 4th International Conference on Drylands, organized by the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA), Bayero University, Kano, in collaboration with the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-arid Tropics (ICRISAT), the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), and the International Centre for Maize and Wheat Improvement (CIMMYT). This conference represents a convergence of minds, hopes, dreams, and aspirations for a better and more sustainable future in the world’s drylands.
“The CDA, supported by the World Bank as an Africa Centre of Excellence (ACE) in dryland agriculture, has remained steadfast in its mission to address the multifaceted challenges that dryland regions face.
Through rigorous training, cutting-edge research, and meaningful outreach, we have strived to enhance the adaptability of these regions to the ever- changing environmental dynamics. One of our flagship programs, the International Conference on Drylands, has been instrumental in disseminating valuable research findings, fostering connections among scientists, practitioners, and stakeholders, and catalyzing positive change.
“In this year’s conference, we proudly introduce an exciting collaboration with the Food for West Africa Network (Food4WA), an alliance of Africa Centres of Excellence in Agriculture funded by the World Bank and AFD Food4WA’s mission to maximize the collective capabilities of ACEs in West Africa resonates deeply with our commitment to addressing development challenges and enhancing food security through research, training, and community engagement.
“The fourth international conference on drylands will take place concurrently with the conference of the Food4WA, themed “Improving climate-resilient agriculture in West Africa: Leveraging the success of the regional Africa Centres of Excellence,” he said.
