By BUUMBA CHIMBULU in Russia
AS food security has become a global challenge, exacerbated by the current climate change effects, the Russian government intends to increase its agricultural exports to Africa, leveraging on its technology.
This intentions comes in the awake of increasing demand for food across the world, Africa inclusive.
At a Food Security Roundtable Meeting in Moscow on Monday, Andrey Dalnov, Chief Industry Expert of the Russian Agricultural Bank, observed that demand of food in Africa was growing while supply was low.
The roundtable meeting consisted of journalists from different countries such as Zambia, Ethiopia and Palestine who are currently in Russia on a Food Security Programme sponsored by Rossotrudnichestvo.
Rossotrudnichestvo is implementing a project to provide information support for the activities of the Russian Federation in the field of food security and in partnership with its partner countries.
In his presentation on National Food Strategy and Chaotic Systems, Mr Dalnov underscored that it was for this reason that Russia intended to become a global leader in food supply.
He noted that Russia has an agricultural strategy which, among others, aimed to increase volumes of exports by eliminating trade barriers and stimulating development of export-oriented industries;
“Prices of agricultural products will continue to rise due to demand growing and supply is not enough. Russia has enough technology and will use it to produce more and bring the prices down,” he said.
On how to bring down the cost of agricultural products, Mr Dalnov pointed out factors such as control over fertilizers markets, localization of Artificial Intelligence in pesticide products and development of seed industry.
Moderating the meeting, Anastasia Sycheva, Head of the International Development Assistance Department Rossotrudnichestvo, highlighted that food security was currently the biggest challenge affecting the 21st century.
Ms Sycheva stressed the need to create sustainable markets while finding solutions to ensure food security in Africa.
“We see unprecedented situation about food security….at the same time people do not have access to food,” she said.
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