President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina has disclosed that the size of food and agriculture in Africa will rise to $1tr by 2030.

He said the population of Africa, which stands at 1.2 billion, would double to 2.5 billion by 2050, adding that it is only through food and agribusiness that the feat can be achieved.

Adesina who disclosed this at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), while being conferred with an honorary doctorate degree, in honour of his work in agriculture and food security across the continent, commended the Federal Government’s efforts to promote agriculture and agribusiness in the country.

While pledging to continue the work of transforming Nigeria’s agriculture sector, Adesina, described agriculture as the most important profession and business in the world.

Adesina said the African Development Bank was spearheading efforts to feed Africa and has invested $25 billion in 10 years to transform the agricultural sector.

“I am delighted to see so many of our young people engaged in agriculture arising from the Youth Employment in Agriculture initiative launched when I was minister. From their innovations in the use of drones, food processing, packaging, transport and logistics, and marketing, they are already unlocking the opportunities in agriculture,” he said.

He urged agricultural universities to optimise their role in linking research, innovations, and technologies to farmers and the food and agriculture industry.