Kampala, Uganda: The African continent, blessed with vast fertile lands and abundant natural resources, should not be reliant on food imports, Uganda Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja declared at the opening of the African Union Extraordinary Assembly of Ministers of Agriculture.
This stark reality, underscored by a staggering $100 billion spent on food imports in 2021, fueled the urgent need for a new agricultural strategy.
The assembly marked a pivotal moment in the adoption of the Kampala CAADP Agenda, the successor to the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Strategy and Action Plan 2026-2035. This ambitious roadmap aims to rectify the shortcomings highlighted in the 2023 biennial review of CAADP’s implementation, which revealed a significant gap between aspirations and actual achievements.
“Why should a continent so richly endowed with natural resources depend on others to feed itself?” Prime Minister Nabbanja questioned, emphasizing the need for decisive action to shift Africa’s trajectory. “We must take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area and stop exporting raw materials. Why not export finished and branded products from Africa?”
The Kampala CAADP Agenda outlines a multifaceted approach to transforming Africa’s agricultural landscape. Key priorities include:
- Policy Reviews: Strengthening policies to enhance food security and nutrition for all Africans.
- Research and Innovation: Investing heavily in research to develop improved seeds, livestock breeds, and climate-resilient agricultural practices.
- Mechanization and Irrigation: Modernizing agriculture through increased mechanization and expanding irrigation infrastructure to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
- Productivity Enhancement: Mobilizing resources and empowering farmers to increase agricultural productivity and align production with the growing needs of the population.
- Intra-African Trade: Eliminating trade barriers and promoting regional trade cooperation to facilitate the seamless movement of agricultural goods across the continent.
- Value Addition: Shifting from exporting raw commodities to processing and exporting high-value agricultural products such as processed foods, beverages, and textiles.
Prime Minister Nabbanja urged African leaders to prioritize implementation and foster collaboration among nations. “Let us work together in a complementary way to deliver the Africa we want,” she emphasized. The outcomes of this crucial meeting will be presented to the Assembly of Heads of State and Government for final approval, marking a significant step towards achieving food security and sustainable agricultural development across the continent. Sources and related content
