ROME, Italy, April 19, 2016/APO (African Press Organization)/ —
Strong multi-sectoral collaboration among African governments and institutions is needed for the implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) to put countries on the path of higher economic growth through agriculture-led development.
Governments must also take concrete actions to drive the fulfillment of the Malabo Declaration, smooth collaboration between ministries, departments and agencies and move towards getting adequate national resources and linking up with partners to discharge the CAADP agenda.
Speaking during a panel discussion at the sidelines of the 12th CAADP Partnership Platform Meeting on the theme “Renewing Partnership for Accelerated Development”, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa, Mr. Bukar Tijani deplored that within countries various government institutions were working in isolation, which is retarding progress on the implementation of CAADP programmes.
Mr. Tijani consequently suggested to government institutions to implement effective policy measures, harmonize their operations and ensure stronger partnerships for the implementation of programs under the CAADP. FAO is currently implementing a regional initiative on “Africa’s commitment to end hunger by 2025” in 8 countries. This initiative aims at improving capacities at national, sub-regional and continental levels for improved policies, investments programmes, governance and strategic coordination in an evidence based manner to eradicate hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition.
“National budgets that would enhance stronger inter-sectoral collaboration are also needed,” Mr. Tijani said, and gave the assurance that “FAO will continue to team up with, and provide technical and financial support to, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development and African Union Commission, to make concrete the recommendations of the Malabo Declaration, for the ultimate attainment of ending hunger in Africa by 2025 and the SDGs.”
Other members on the panel were Mr Njack Kane, Chief Executive Officer of Intervalle; Mr Christophe Rauh, Deputy Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, BMZ, Germany; Ishmael Sunga Chief Executive Officer, Southern African Confederation of Agricultural Unions, and Mr Christophe Bativamo, Member of Parliament of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).
FAO to continue support to the CAADP process
Earlier in the week, Mr. Bukar Tijani joined other eminent African personalities to the opening session of the 12th Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme Partnership Platform (CAADP-PP) meeting focused on “Innovative Financing and Renewed Partnership to Accelerate CAADP Implementation” towards shaping the Malabo Declaration and the Africa Union Agenda 2063.
Ghana’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture Dr Ahmed Alhassan Yakubu, former president of Ghana John Agyekum Kufuor, former President of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo, as well as experts in agriculture financing were in attendance.
The three-day event convened by NEPAD’s CEO Dr Ibrahim Mayaki and African Union Commissioner for Rural Economy for Agriculture Ms. Tumusiime Rhoda Peace is an annual continental forum which brings together stakeholders in African Agriculture and Food Security as well as evolve strategies aimed at addressing challenges in the Agriculture sector on the continent.
More significantly, CAADP recognizes 2016 as a year of human rights with special focus on rights for women. The meeting will also focus on discussions that will help fast track the implementation of CAADP in order to achieve the transformation of Africa’s agriculture towards the 2025 horizon.
