Dr. John Basera, a leading candidate for the position of Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment of the African Union Commission (AUC) has highlighted his vision, experience, and plans to strengthen agricultural development and the blue economy across Africa.
Speaking to Spiked Online Media, Dr Basera demonstrated that he is a candidate with the requisite qualifications, leadership skills, and commitment to food security, sustainable farming, and economic growth in the sector.
“I envision an Africa where agriculture and the raw economy sectors power industry, create wealth, and feed the continent. The Africa we want is one anchored on vibrant agriculture and agribusiness, ready to transform raw economies, building on existing and new frontiers in the blue economy while engendering and safeguarding the environment for future generations. There is therefore need for accelerated implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and other commitments and plans.
“Key focus areas during my tenure will include ensuring food security for all, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, empowering youths and women in agriculture, driving innovation through agri-tech, using agriculture and the power of agriculture, and building on the future of agriculture as a tool to break the middle-income trap,” Dr. Basera said.
Among his envisaged interventions are environmental sustainability and climate resilience which will be promoted under his tenure, riding on enhancing natural capital such as soil health and environmental stewardship.
“The blue economy leveraging on fisheries, agriculture, tourism, transport, ports, coastal mining, and energy will power structural transformation to accelerate inter-regional trade and prioritize value addition of Africa’s agricultural products. Commercialization of farming entails producing more for less land and from less other resources. Every 10% increase in agricultural productivity leads to a 7% reduction in poverty.
“This is the Africa Agenda 2063 accelerator. Agriculture commodities exchange is also key. Establishing an African commodities exchange will be pursued during my tenure. This will be a springboard indeed for the actualization of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Dr. John Basera is a Zimbabwean renowned agronomist in the private sector and was the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, and Rural Resettlement. He is a former CBZ Holdings Technical Director (Agriculture) in 2019 and Manager of Seed Co Group Southern Africa in 2015.
Dr. John Basera is the current Permanent Secretary at Ministry of Local Government and Public Works in the Government of Zimbabwe. He attended Elise Gledhill Secondary School and St Joseph’s High School for his secondary education. He holds a Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Agriculture from the University of Zimbabwe (2010) and a Masters in Business Administration from the Eastern and Southern African Management Institute (ESAMI) and Maastricht School of Management (MSM). He also holds a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Agribusiness Development and Business Dynamics.
