AU Urges Member States to Accelerate CAADP Implementation as Continent Lags Behind Schedule

Addis Ababa ,November 17/2023(ENA) The African Union has urged member states to accelerate the implementation of the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programmee (CAADP) that is lagging behind the schedule.  

The Fifth Ordinary Session of the Specialized Technical Committee (STC) high level ministerial on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and Environment was held today to review the progress made in the implementation of CAADP as well as other related activities. 

Speaking on the occasion, Josefa Sacko, African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment, said the AU, in collaboration with member states and strategic partners, has made tangible advancement in enhancing agricultural productivity and promoting sustainable farming practices.

Through initiatives such CAADP investment in agricultural infrastructure and the promotion of sustainable farming practices, we have seen positive impact on the lives of millions of smallholder farmers and rural households.

However, 49 of the 55 African Union member states that reported “no country is on track to meet the CAADP seven commitment, and this is due to multiple crises experienced over the past three years.”

However, 19 member states have made substantial progress, with only two years remaining before the Malabo Declaration period lapses, she added.

“This is an urgency for member states to accelerate CAADP  implementation, including through the provision of the financing required to achieve the aspiration of CAADP, in order to build a resilient Africa agri-food system.”
 

The new Chairperson of Specialized Technical Committee (STC), Frank Tumwebaze, said the report shows that Africa as a whole is not on track to meet the kind of goals and targets by the year 2025 when the current framework needs to be replaced. 

With another two years remaining to end the CAADP Malabo Declaration, we must increase the pace of implementation if we are to meet the goals and targets set by our heads of state and government in 2014, Tumwebaze stated. 

The Ugandan chairman added that he is looking forward to working with the African Union, the regular economic communities, the member states, the private sector, the civil society, and government partners to shape the possible agenda over the next 12 month.

The Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) is an Agenda 2063 continental initiative that aims to help African countries eliminate hunger and reduce poverty by raising economic growth through agriculture-led development.