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The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Group of Non-State Actors has shared a common position on food systems with members of the African Union Specialised Technical Committee of Rural Agriculture, Water, and Environment as well as the Heads of State and Government of the African Union during the ongoing African Union Extraordinary Summit in Kampala, Uganda.
Below, Spiked Online Media reproduces the Non-State Actors’ position:
As the CAADP Group of Non-State Actors, we present this collective memorandum, reflecting the aspirations and concerns of numerous civil society organizations across Africa. This document is not merely a recommendation; it is a clarion call for urgent action to secure the right to food and nutrition for our people. We implore you to recognize your pivotal responsibility in addressing one of the most pressing issues of our time—feeding the people of Africa.
- Responsibility to Feed Our People
Africa is endowed with abundant natural resources and agricultural potential, yet millions face hunger and malnutrition. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), approximately 281 million people in Africa are undernourished, a stark reminder of our collective obligation to ensure food security (FAO, 2023).
This situation is exacerbated by various factors including climate change, conflict, and global economic challenges. The moral and legal duty of each member state is to guarantee that food is available, accessible, and affordable for all. We urge you to prioritize agricultural policies that align with the vital needs of your populations, particularly in vulnerable and marginalized communities. The right to food is not just an ethical consideration; it is enshrined in various international agreements and national constitutions across Africa.
- Enhancing Investment Finance in Agrifood Systems
We emphasize the critical need to enhance investment finance within our agrifood systems. A commitment of at least 10% of public funding to National Agricultural Investment Plans (NAIPs) is essential. This sustained investment should focus on transformative initiatives like sustainable agriculture practices and digital innovations for tracking finance.
For instance, Rwanda has made significant strides in agricultural financing through innovative insurance schemes that have boosted farmer productivity (World Bank, 2021). Such models can be replicated across the continent. Additionally, countries like Ghana have successfully utilized public-private partnerships to enhance agricultural productivity and food security.
Your leadership in mobilizing these funds will be crucial in reversing the historic underperformance in this domain. It is imperative that we also create an enabling environment for private sector investment by reducing bureaucratic hurdles, providing incentives, and ensuring policy coherence.
- Collective Action Against Hunger
The rising levels of hunger and malnutrition across our continent are alarming. To advance the agenda of ending hunger, we propose establishing a harmonized African Food Policy framework. This framework should clarify our objectives and facilitate cross-border collaboration.
By enhancing public awareness of food and nutrition issues and integrating agricultural education into curricula, we can cultivate a well-informed citizenry. For example, countries like South Africa have implemented successful public awareness campaigns that have led to improved dietary practices among communities.
Furthermore, investment in research and innovation will be key to developing resilient, climate-adaptive crop and animal varieties. As highlighted in the African Union’s Agenda 2063, we must leverage our indigenous knowledge alongside modern agricultural techniques to achieve food sovereignty (AU, 2015). This includes promoting agroecological practices that respect local traditions and enhance biodiversity.
- Building Intra-African Trade for Agro-products
The low levels of intra-African trade in agrifood products, currently below 20%, underscore the urgent need for transformative change. We call upon you to establish and enforce common product quality standards, improve our trade environment through substantial infrastructural investments, and promote agro-industrial parks.
For example, Ethiopia’s investment in agro-processing has significantly increased local employment and reduced reliance on imports (UNCTAD, 2022). Additionally, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) provides a unique opportunity to enhance trade among member states and reduce barriers that hinder intra-African trade.
These actions will enhance supply chains, create jobs, empower local economies, and reduce our overreliance on global imports. To truly realize the potential of intra-African trade, we must also address non-tariff barriers and ensure that smallholder farmers and local businesses can participate in the trade system.
- Resilience to Shocks and Climate Change
The threat of climate change looms large over our agricultural systems, exacerbating food insecurity. We advocate for enhanced investments in agroecological practices that promote sustainability and resilience. Strengthening coordination mechanisms among stakeholders is vital to ensure effective resource mobilization.
Countries like Kenya have made progress in enhancing climate resilience through community-based adaptation programs (NDC Partnership, 2020). These initiatives highlight the importance of local knowledge and community involvement in addressing climate challenges.
It is incumbent upon states to bolster institutional capacities to access climate funding and support initiatives that build resilience in our agrifood systems and communities. Collaborative efforts at the regional level can facilitate knowledge sharing and best practices that enhance our collective capacity to respond to climate-related shocks.
Crosscutting Recommendations for Accountability and Data
We urge Member States to ratify the Post-Malabo Agenda to ensure accountability in the implementation of commitments made. Coupled with this is the urgent need to invest in robust data systems for the collection and analysis of agricultural data.
Reliable data will enable informed decision-making and the formulation of effective policies that respond to the needs of our people, as emphasized by the African Development Bank’s African Information Highway initiative (AfDB, 2021). Improved data systems will also enhance transparency and accountability within the agricultural sector, fostering trust among stakeholders.
Conclusion
This memorandum stands as an urgent call to action, seeking your leadership in prioritizing the recommendations set forth herein. Together, we can transform Africa’s agrifood systems and achieve not only the Sustainable Development Goals but also the promise of a prosperous and resilient future for all African communities.
Let us unite in our commitment to feed our people, fortifying our future through food security and sustainable agricultural practices. Your leadership is essential, and through collaborative action, we can ensure that no African goes hungry again.
Your acquiescence, Your Excellences, will be most humbly appreciated by your respectful constituents.
