AU holds conference on agriculture

The conference is organised in two segments: the Experts meeting from 28-30 April 2014 and Ministerial Session 1-2 May 2014.The joint conference aims to highlight the importance of agriculture as a vehicle for economic growth and poverty eradication in the African continent. A statement from the ministry said the conference will also take steps towards […]

The conference is organised in two segments: the Experts meeting from 28-30 April 2014 and Ministerial Session 1-2 May 2014.
The joint conference aims to highlight the importance of agriculture as a vehicle for economic growth and poverty eradication in the African continent.
A statement from the ministry said the conference will also take steps towards finalising strategies that will catalyse African-led solutions for African problems through agriculture and the rural sector for the next ten years.
 In her opening remarks, AU Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, said “Agriculture has been showing a growth performance of about 4% per annum over the last decade of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), this is indicative that agriculture and the rural sector are at the centre of the transformation agenda.”
Declaring the meeting open, Ethiopia’s Minister of state for Agriculture, Wondirad Mandefro, said “CAADP has played a crucial role in improving coordination among various players on agriculture strategy development and mobilizing resources to support development endeavours.”  
The five day meeting aims to finalise consensus on strategic goals and improved coordination of programmes linking agriculture and rural development, and strengthening policy and institutional capacities for advancing agricultural transformation.