Steenhuisen urges unity for Africa’s food security goals

Agriculture minister John Steenhuisen has noted the need for substantial investment in the agricultural sector to enhance food security across Africa. Speaking at the post-Malabo Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) Strategy meeting in Kampala, Uganda, he highlighted the sector’s pivotal role in addressing the continent’s challenges.

Steenhuisen called on his counterparts to work together to ensure that Africa is able to produce its own food and sustain its own people.

“Our collective motivation to act is strong, but many barriers exist to developing and implementing effective policies and programmes. Over the years, experience in implementing the development agenda has demonstrated that facilitating inclusive dialogues at the country level is key to driving the food systems transformation agenda. 

“The CAADP’s Agricultural food systems agenda and the Africa Common Position on Food Systems encourage us as member states to foster policy coherence, enhance coordination across sectors, and promote Public-Private Partnerships,” he said.

Collaboration key for food security

The strategy aims to leverage resources for driving economic growth, enhancing food security, and improving livelihoods while addressing the impacts of climate change.

Steenhuisen said it was critically important that as governments and development partners, they must collaborate to invest in affordable financing, infrastructure, research and development.

“This will help to strengthen domestic manufacturing and repair food processing machinery for our smallholder sector. Access to finance and technologies are critical enablers for them.

“South Africa proposes that the preamble referencing climate variability should also include change. The new reading will therefore have to reflect both climate variability and climate change,” he said.

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The commissioner for agriculture, rural development, blue economy and sustainable environment at the African Union Commission, ambassador Josefa Sacko, commented on the importance of the strategy.

“The 10-year CAADP Strategy and Action Plan aims to boost food production, expand value addition, boost intra-Africa trade, create millions of jobs for our youth and women, build inclusive agrifood value chains, and build resilient and sustainable agrifood systems that will withstand shocks and stressors now and in the future.

“Furthermore, we are dedicated to strengthening governance through evidence-based decision-making and enhancing accountability among all stakeholders. Inclusivity is a fundamental aspect of our approach,” Sacko said.

People-centred approach needed

The ministerial meeting was addressed by the Ugandan prime minister,

Robinah Nabbanja. Recalling statistics that point to the richness of African soils, the abundance of arable land and freshwater, and 60% of the population engaged in agriculture, Nabbanja remarked that it is a shame that the continent’s food imports take up USD100 billion. 

“This session of the summit should come up with concrete proposals on how Africa can come out of such an undesirable situation. For us to guarantee our future as Africans, we must feed ourselves,” he said.

Uganda’s minister of agriculture, animal industry and fisheries, Frank Tumwebaze, stressed the need to implement the strategy.

“The planning phase of the Kampala CAADP Agenda ends during this summit. We must, therefore, move into implementation and execution mode. It is by focusing on execution that we can make a meaningful impact on our continent and our people. We must move, not with the times, but ahead of times,” he said.

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