A new chapter in Africa's agricultural journey began on Saturday as African leaders adopted a 10-year strategy to reshape food systems and boost agricultural production.
The plan, revealed during the African Union (AU) Extraordinary Summit on the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) in Kampala, Uganda, focuses on increasing food output and securing $100 billion in investments by 2035.
The summit concluded with the adoption of the Kampala Declaration, a consensus document committing member states to achieve specific goals.
According to the declaration, African nations aim to increase agricultural output by 45 per cent and reduce post-harvest losses by half within the next decade. These targets are to be met through enhanced investment, financing, and sustainable farming practices.
Delegates emphasised the need for coordinated action among governments, legislatures, farmers, private sector actors, and civil society.
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"Together, we can transform Africa’s agri-food system into a sustainable and inclusive future," the Kampala Declaration read.
CAADP, launched in 2003, was designed to address hunger and poverty by increasing agricultural investment. It set a target for member states to allocate 10 per cent of their national budgets to agriculture, a commitment that remains central to the programme's implementation.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, speaking during the summit, urged nations to prioritise commercial agriculture and value addition as a means to economic stability.
“Fully commercialize agriculture to achieve food security and homestead income by undertaking agricultural enterprises. For families with four acres or less, adopt an intensive agriculture strategy. For families with larger landholdings, use an extensive agriculture approach,” Museveni advised.
President William Ruto, addressing the summit, called on African nations to adopt common strategies to build resilient agricultural systems.
He urged governments to prioritise investments in regional agricultural infrastructure, promote research and innovation, and accelerate the spread of technological solutions. Ruto also appealed to international partners to align their support with Africa’s transformation agenda, ensuring resources are directed to areas of greatest need.
“This is our moment to commit to a bold and transformative agenda for Africa’s food systems so that, together, we can build a robust and enduring foundation for sustainable agriculture,” Ruto said.
The President further explained that these measures were essential for improving livelihoods, protecting the environment, and fulfilling Africa’s obligation to feed its people.
He added, “With the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme, the vision of an Africa where no child goes to bed hungry, where every community enjoys access to safe and nutritious food, where agricultural practices safeguard the future of our planet, and where agriculture delivers employment and wealth for millions, is within reach.”
The three-day summit drew over 2,000 participants, including heads of state, ministers, and agricultural experts from more than 40 AU member states.
They tackled the continent’s pressing food security challenges while formulating strategies for a resilient agricultural future.
The 10-year plan represents a renewed effort to place agriculture at the forefront of Africa’s economic agenda. Leaders hope that, with adequate funding and collective commitment, the continent can forge a path towards food security and sustainable growth.
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