Kampala, Uganda – African leaders have converged in Kampala for an extraordinary African Union summit on agriculture, seeking to boost the continent’s development in the sector. The three-day meeting, which kicked off with a ministerial session, aims to review the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP), the continent’s blueprint plan for fast-tracking agriculture development.
The summit, held under the theme “Building Resilient Agri-Food Systems,” brings together ministers of agriculture from the African Union’s 55-member states. The meeting is expected to culminate in a heads of state and government meeting, where leaders will adopt a new 10-year CAADP strategy and action plan.
Ugandan Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, who opened the meeting, urged countries to work together to implement policy proposals. She emphasized the need for Africa to feed itself, citing the continent’s reliance on food imports despite being endowed with arable land and water bodies.
Nabbanja noted that it is deplorable that Africa, which is home to over 70% of the world’s arable land, relies heavily on food imports. She called on leaders to come up with concrete proposals on how Africa can overcome this situation. “For us to guarantee our future as Africans, we must feed ourselves,” Nabbanja said.
The new CAADP strategy and action plan aim to address challenges facing Africa’s Agri-Food Systems, including climate change and global challenges. The plan is expected to focus on building resilient agri-food systems, promoting sustainable agriculture practices, and improving agricultural productivity.
According to the African Union Commission, the new strategy is a response to the continent’s failure to achieve the Malabo CAADP goals. The goals, which were set in 2014, aimed to boost agricultural productivity, improve food security, and reduce poverty.
The summit is also expected to discuss ways to promote agricultural trade, improve market access, and enhance regional integration. Leaders will also explore opportunities for partnerships and collaborations with international organizations, civil society, and the private sector.
The outcome of the summit is expected to have a significant impact on Africa’s agricultural sector, which employs over 70% of the continent’s population. The sector is also critical to Africa’s economic growth and development, accounting for over 20% of the continent’s GDP.
