Meeting renews calls for protection of Africa's botanical treasures
NAIROBI, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Robust measures including research, capacity development and adoption of modern technologies are key to enhancing protection of Africa's vast botanical wealth, scientists have said.
Scientists and policymakers who attended a conference in Nairobi on Monday were emphatic that improved conservation of Africa's genetic resources underpins the continent's growth and prosperity.
Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Culture and Arts, Hassan Wario opened the 21st edition of the Association for the Taxonomic Study of the Flora of Tropical Africa (AEFTA) conference and urged African governments to prioritize conservation of plant species that are currently grappling with myriad threats.
"We need to strengthen our internal capacity to conserve wild flora that is a source of food, fiber and energy for local communities," Wario said.
Rachid H