Kampala - The African Union Commissioner for Rural Development of the Blue Economy, Josefa Sako, pointed out, on Friday, in Uganda, the investment in improved seeds as one of the factors that can accelerate agricultural productivity in Africa.
Speaking to the press, following the Extraordinary Summit of the African Union, which is addressing the Post-Malabo African Comprehensive Agricultural Development Program (CAADP), she also highlighted food security and nutrition as other elements that must be given close attention on the African continent.
The commissioner also recalled that the major obstacles to the development of agriculture in Africa are linked to the lack of infrastructure in most countries, a fact that motivates the migration of many young people from rural areas to urban locations.
Regarding the event, which takes place from the 9th to the 11th of this month, in Kampala, she said that the meeting is serving to debate and collect contributions from various countries, with emphasis on the governance of food systems.
On the second day of the Summit, Josefa Sako said that participants proposed that an agriculture mission be created in parliaments that could look at the 10% of the budget recommended for this sector.
She added that another proposal presented comes from island countries, which say “they are not ready to meet the 10% target”, due to the scarcity of resources.
She reinforced that the documents for this Summit were prepared so that the 55 African countries could adhere to the grand Strategy and the 2026-2035 Action Plan, subsequently aligning themselves with each country's plans.
She highlighted that the 10-year CAADP Strategy and Action Plan aims to increase food production, expand value addition, boost intra-African trade, create millions of jobs for youth and women, build agro- inclusive food systems, as well as resilient and sustainable agri-food systems.
Furthermore, Josefa Sako said that the second day of the Summit also served to strengthen governance, through evidence-based decision-making and increase accountability among all stakeholders.
The Extraordinary Summit of the African Union, taking place in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, closes on Saturday, with the summit culminating in the adoption of the Kampala Declaration and a ten-year strategy and action plan, to boost the implementation of the Declaration of Malabo on Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation for Shared Prosperity and Improved Livelihoods, adopted in 2014.
The Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Program (CAADP) Strategy and Action Plan, scheduled to run from 2026 to 2035, has been in development for the past 10 months, following the directives of African Heads of State and Government. HM/QCB/DOJ
