African leaders urged to recommit to agric development

AU Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, Mrs. Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, urged AU Member States to rededicate themselves to the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) as it has helped elevate agriculture to the centre of Africa’s development agenda. The commission, in a statement, quoted Mrs. Tumusiime as saying: “We have witnessed progress on the […]

AU Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, Mrs. Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, urged AU Member States to rededicate themselves to the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) as it has helped elevate agriculture to the centre of Africa’s development agenda.
The commission, in a statement, quoted Mrs. Tumusiime as saying: “We have witnessed progress on the allocation of public expenditures to agriculture, which have been increasing at an average rate of 7.4% per year since the adoption of CAADP. Member states have been making efforts to meet the CAADP target of allocating at least 10% of public expenditure to agriculture; and most importantly they are seeing the benefits of according primacy to this strategic sector.”
She stressed that “ensuring an inclusive and transformative agricultural growth that builds the self-reliance of the African citizenry, including food, nutrition and security is central to re-asserting African dignity. The debate between member states, public and private organisations culminated in the provision of strategic direction, guidance for renewed and heightened commitments on concrete goals and targets in advancing Africa’s agricultural growth and transformation agenda for the next decade,” she also said.
The theme for the Year of Agriculture and Food Security in Africa is “Transforming Africa’s Agriculture for Shared Prosperity and Improved Livelihoods through Harnessing Opportunities for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development.”