30 November to 4 - December 2009. Nairobi. This is the first in a series of annual events. The forum connects the pan-African CAADP framework to the actual implementation at country level by being a sharing and learning platform on progress (and obstacles) in pro-poor agricultural development between policy makers and practitioners across the continent.
Under the theme ‘The Bottom of the Pyramid: Agricultural Development for the Vulnerable’, the conference sponsored by the African Union and New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) aim to put the plight of the vulnerable people in the continent at the centre of the attention.
NEPAD Prof Richard Mkandawire warned that food prices would remain high unless urgent measures are taken to arrest the situation and reiterated the need to support farmers and their organisations to produce more.
“Even developed countries continue to support their farmers and that is why their producers and consumers have been better protected against the adverse effects of the food crisis,” he argued.
Prof Mkandawire called on the private sector to match the ‘political will’ shown by the African leaders and develop appropriate technical and financial support required to ensure that the continent’s agriculture agenda is achieved.
The Kenyan Ministry of Agriculture William Ruto said he will lobby the Treasury next year to increase budgetary allocation to the sector to eight percent of the national budget. Once these funds were made available, they would go a long way in transforming agriculture into a viable sector as well as enhance the country’s food productivity.
“We want to enhance investment in research, in mechanisation, in acquisition of new technology so that we can produce enough food for the nation,” he said pointing out that this was not only a way of eliminating hunger and poverty but also enhancing the country’s economic growth.
References:2009 CAADP Africa Forum Flyer
Concept Note
Capital FM Kenya 30/11Kenya seeks 8pc quota for agriculture
