Story by Memory Chamisa
THE vital role of commercial agriculture in Zimbabwe and Africa’s socio-economic transformation has been noted as critical for increasing investments in mechanisation, digitisation, and modern farming technologies to drive agricultural growth.
The African Union (AU) extraordinary summit on the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) that was convened in Kampala, Uganda, has signaled a renewed commitment to agricultural transformation and food security across the continent.
The summit, which was held under the theme of advancing the Post-Malabo CAADP agenda, brought together heads of state, policymakers, and development partners to address Africa’s agricultural challenges and chart a strategic path forward.
For Zimbabwe as highlighted by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr Anxious Masuka, the key takeaways are on how best to expand market access and foster resilient food systems across its sectors and communities.
“It is time to double our efforts to meet the targets outlined in our action plans. We must develop agriculture that ensures food self-sufficiency and security, including producing fertilisers, vaccines, and other essential inputs. We commend the bold vision of the new CAADP strategy, which aligns with Africa’s broader goals for prosperity and resilience. Strengthening governance will be crucial for building sustainable agri-food systems,” Dr Masuka said.
The minister also noted the need for a paradigm shift in the economy, advocating for value addition to agricultural products and reduced dependency on imports.
“We need to value add our agricultural products for us to realise full commercial value, investing in agriculture research, innovation and trends on the global market is pivotal in benchmarking our progress and also room for improvement to enhance productivity. Sustainability and resilience must be core principles guiding our agricultural transformation.”
The Summit brought over 2 000 delegates including agricultural experts, policymakers, and head of states from 43 member states to discuss Africa’s agricultural challenges and opportunities.
