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The strategy and action plan for the development of agriculture under the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), for 10 years, intensifies sustainable food production, agro-industrialization, and trade, aimed at transforming the continent’s agri-food systems.
These efforts are centred on strengthening agricultural input systems, promoting environmentally friendly practices, adopting emerging and existing technologies, promoting agri-business development, and strengthening regional value chains.
The measures described in the strategic plan aim to increase productivity and position African agricultural products in a competitive market.
Boosting investment and financing for transformation means improving public and private agricultural investment, increasing sector-specific public spending, developing flagship projects, and leveraging innovative financing models.
In terms of ensuring food and nutrition security, the agenda prioritises the use of agriculture to improve nutrition, strengthening related policies and programmes to advance food security systems to address malnutrition holistically, and promoting healthier diets for all Africans.
In the area of promoting inclusion and equitable livelihoods, the aim is to address inequalities in agri-food systems. Interventions will include improving rural infrastructure, expanding access to resources for marginalised groups, implementing social protection measures and economically empowering women and young people.
The new post-Malabo strategy is guided by the principles of national ownership, inclusion, and sustainability to build resilient agri-food systems by strengthening human and institutional capacities and increasing the systems’ ability to adapt to shocks.
Promoting climate-smart agriculture and diversification will be key to long-term resilience.
Shaping CAADP’s post-Malabo Agenda in Africa
Its strategic vision also states that it is crucial to understand the main factors and trends that will influence agri-food systems over the next decade, especially concerning rapid urbanization and the shift in food consumption patterns towards ready-to-eat meals.
Concerns extend to the increased demand for diversified, high-quality products due to economic growth and a growing middle class, which are driving agri-food value chains.
According to a note, these factors emphasise the need for policies that support processing industries as critical links between farmers and expanding markets.
Harnessing mineral revenues to fund CAADP initiatives can further support interventions to increase value, address market vulnerabilities and adaptation strategies, ensuring sustainable growth in all of Africa’s agri-food systems.
