Countries Urged to Tackle Tariff War Impact, Says Nigerian Scientist Ademola Adenle

Rapid Summary

• Nigerian scientist Prof. Ademola adenle received the first M.S. Swaminathan Annual Award for Food and Peace in New Delhi.
• In an interview, Prof. Adenle emphasized the need for complete policies to address issues such as tariffs imposed on developing countries, which can lead to crises in agriculture and food systems.
• He highlighted challenges like land degradation, climate change, poverty, water scarcity, trade imbalances, and disruptions caused by wars or conflicts as major obstacles to global agriculture.
• Prof. Adenle advocated investment in research and progress (R&D) programs with technologies like AI, genome editing, biotechnology (including GMOs), while preserving traditional crops through bio-fortification to enhance nutritional quality.
• He stated that regulations were crucial for addressing biosafety concerns related to GMOs-advocating a stepwise F3 approach: fibre (cotton), feed (animal consumption after safety tests), then food (human consumption).
• By 2050, agriculture production must increase by 70% globally; lack of R&D investments could make countries uncompetitive compared to nations like China or the USA.

indian Opinion Analysis

Prof. Ademola Adenle’s insights underline pressing concerns relevant not only globally but notably significant for India-a country concurrently grappling with agricultural modernization yet deeply rooted in traditional farming practices. His call for policy frameworks against external economic pressures like tariffs resonates amid India’s own experience of price volatility influenced by international markets.

The emphasis on biofortified crops over genetically modified ones finds alignment with existing debates within India regarding ecological impacts versus benefits from GMO adoption. Additionally, his advocacy for investment in advanced technology-based agricultural solutions serves as a compelling reminder of India’s strategic need to prioritize R&D expenditure amidst slowing growth rates compared with other tech-driven economies.

With the population growth forecast requiring a dramatic boost in food production by mid-century-and rising threats from climate change-it is imperative that Indian policymakers balance modernization efforts while safeguarding farmer interests and enhancing local crop diversity. A participatory approach involving stakeholders may help create sensitive yet forward-looking agricultural policies that align national priorities with global trends effectively.

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