The Road to Agricultural Transformation in Africa (AfDB)

FAO urges for actions to ending hunger by 2025

Photo (Courtesy AfDB)

24 May 2016, Lusaka- A panel discussion on the Road to Agricultural Transformation in Africa was held at the Africa Development Bank (AfDB) Annual Meeting in which the Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa, Mr. Bukar Tijani, participated. In addition to the FAO Representative, the panel consisted of Mr. Akinwumi Adesina, AfDB Group President, Mr. Saint Ange Périn, IFAD Associate Vice President, and Ms. Manal Abdel Moneim, SOBEK Chairperson and CEO.

Prior to the panel discussion, Mr. Chiji Ojukwu, Director for Agriculture and Agro-Industry Department of AfDB, made a presentation on the proposed Strategy for Agricultural Transformation in Africa – Feed Africa, which is one of the “the High Fives” of AfDB’s priorities. The other four are: Power and Light Up Africa, Industrialize Africa, Integrate Africa and Improve Quality of Life for Africans.

In his presentation, Mr. Ojukwu highlighted that although agriculture remains the main source of income for Africa, untapped potential has resulted in persistent poverty and deteriorating food security.

Speaking during the discussion, Mr. Tijani shared that FAO supported the AU during the process leading up to the Malabo Declaration and in particular the Commitment to Ending Hunger by 2025. He noted the AfDB Feed Africa Strategy should build on this commitment and deliver and improve income levels and overall livelihoods, enhance youth employment in different aspects and encourage women participation in agriculture. Mr. Tijani stated he believed in Africa’s transformation, saying, “I strongly believe that it is possible in the next 10 years or less to change Africa”.

When asked about success stories, Mr. Tijani gave an example of the European Union funded Conservation Agriculture Scaling Up (CASU) Project being implemented by FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture in 48 districts of Zambia. The project has linked more than 20,000 small-scale farmers to CA technologies, quality inputs through smart card voucher and markets.

The AfDB President, Mr. Adesina, emphasized the need to encourage the involvement of all farmers – small, medium and commercial farmers – and make necessary investments. “African farmers can do wonders”, he said.

Mr. Périn, Associate Vice President of IFAD, narrated that although funding was an essential part of the formula for success, there is also the need to emphasize the importance of adequate technology, capacity building, leadership and an enabling environment in agriculture.

The way forward

It is a common understanding that agriculture is a major source of income in Africa; however, untapped agricultural potential has contributed to persistent poverty and deteriorating food security. Underperforming value chains, insufficient infrastructure, limited access to agricultural finance, adverse agri-business environment, limited inclusivity, sustainability and nutrition remain crippling barriers to the agriculture sector in Africa.

The AfDB agriculture transformation strategy, once approved among other processes, will lead to knowledge and advocacy activities, partnerships and collaboration and finally, implementation. FAO remains at the core of this process.