KIGALI-(MaraviPost)-Minister of Higher Education, Dr Jessie Kabwila has urged African nations to adopt an integrated, cross-sectoral approach to agriculture, emphasising the need for stronger coordination between innovation, agriculture, and finance.
She made these remarks on Tuesday during a panel discussion at the Second Edition of the African Conference on Agricultural Technologies (ACAT) 2025, currently taking place in Kigali, Rwanda.
The Minister underscored the importance of inclusivity in both policymaking and the implementation of research within the agricultural sector.
Dr Kabwila also highlighted the need to integrate Technical, Entrepreneurial, and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TEVETA) institutions into the higher education framework. She noted that doing so would help dispel the stigma that blue-collar careers are solely for the uneducated.
This prestigious event has brought together a dynamic community of agricultural researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators to exchange ideas, share best practices, and explore cutting-edge solutions aimed at boosting agricultural productivity across the continent.
Among the high-profile delegates attending the conference are the Prime Minister of Rwanda Dr. Edouard Ngirente, former President of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, and the Executive Director of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), Dr Canisius Kanangire,Professor Aggrey Ambali the Chair of the Board of Trustees of AATF and Executive Director of the Hub for Development Research and Advisory Services (HDRAS).
The event is scheduled to run from 9 to 12 June 2025.
