Story by Memory Chamisa
THE Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Programme Extraordinary Summit of Heads and Government is underway at Munyonyo Resort in Kampala, Uganda.
Representing His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa is the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr Anxious Masuka.
In his opening remarks, Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni spoke of the need to urgently address the agricultural crisis in Africa describing the continent as a super power that not only is endowed with natural resources but brilliant minds as well.
He added that the task now befalls African leaders to see to it that they come up with strategies that will enhance the motherland’s food security, economic growth and most importantly improve livelihoods.
Chairperson of the African Union Commission, His Excellency Musa Faki Mahamat stated that the continent must remain steadfast in reducing rural poverty, creating employment and contributing to economic development while safeguarding the environment.
The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development has been crucial in driving agricultural transformation across Africa since its inception in 2003.
CAADP aims for a six percent annual growth rate in the Agricultural Sector with African Union member states allocating at least 10 percent to their budgets.
During the African Union 2024 37th Ordinary Session of the Heads of State and Government, the Assembly expressed concern that the continent is not on track to meet the Malabo CAADP goals and targets by 2025 in eradicating hunger, reducing malnutrition, tripling intra Africa trade and building resilience of livelihoods and production.
The Malabo Declaration underscored the importance of mutual accountability through agricultural biennial reviews and recognised the essential role of related sectors like infrastructure and rural development.
This has spurred a call for the development of a post Malabo CAADP agenda to build resilient agro-food systems.
The deliberations on the post Malabo CAADP agenda are expected to consider the draft ten year CAADP strategy and Action Plan with its associated draft Kampala Declaration on advancing Africa’s inclusive agro-systems transformation for sustainable economic growth.
