NaijaAgroNet:
Three Italian
main research institutions are partnering the Food and Agriculture Organization
(FAO) to help developing countries build
stronger agricultural sectors through better research and information, NaijaAgroNet reports.
The institutions, National Research Council (CNR), Council
for Agricultural Research and Economics (CRA)
and National Agency for new technologies, renewable energy and sustainable
economic development (ENEA), NaijaAgroNet
gathered, would employ over 10,000 scientists in more than 100 research institutes
across Italy to tackle global food and agricultural sector challenges,
including climate change, degradation of natural resources, and plant and
animal pests and diseases - as well as changes in dietary patterns that affect
food systems.
Confirming the collaboration, Italian Ambassador to FAO
Pierfrancesco Sacco said the agreement marks a turning point in Italy-FAO
relations. "In particular, the partnership will help address the growing
challenge of bringing sustainability into the food and agricultural systems of
developing countries; also in view of future implementation of the Sustainable
Development Goals," he said.
As part of Italian’s Ministry of Agriculture, CRA's 1,700
researchers and staff performing advanced research on agriculture, food,
fishery, forestry and economics, toppled with more than 100 research institutes
and 8,000 CNR’s research staff on areas of research and technological
development in Agriculture and Food Sciences, Bio-Medicine, Engineering,
Environmental and Social Sciences achieving the set goal is reassured.
FAO Deputy-Director General and Natural Resources
Coordinator, Maria Helena Semedo, during the signing event, stated that research
plays a crucial role in agricultural and rural development and can unleash tremendous
agricultural potential in the developing world.
"Being able to harness the wide ranging expertise of
three of Italy's top research bodies will not only help countries better manage
their natural resources and food systems but also support FAO's larger mission
of eradicating hunger and malnutrition worldwide," she said
NaijaAgroNet learnt that ENEA operates in the fields of energy,
environment and new technologies and also employs over 2,600 staff across its
11 research centers.
Daniel Nsolibe/GEE
... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology
