Events
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July 15, 2015Partners roundtable towards the operationalization of Africa’s agenda on Accelerated Agriculture Growth and... -
July 15, 2015COMMISIONER TUMUSIIME RECEIVES AfDB DIRECTOR
PRESS RELEASE Nº 160/2015
COMMISIONER TUMUSIIME RECEIVES AfDB DIRECTOR
Addis Ababa- 14 July 2015- Her Excellency Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture at the African Union Commission has today received Dr. Chiji Ojukwu, Director, Agriculture and Agro-Industry Department, African Development Bank (AfDB). The two parties discussed a wide range of areas of mutual interest particularly those relating to supporting the implementation of the AU Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Africa Agriculture Growth and Transformation including the African Fertilizer Financing Mechanism (AFFM).
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They discussed the next steps after the operationalization of the AFFM including the work programme and budget; resource mobilization; and how to engage the private sector in rolling it out especially in regard to importation and distribution of fertilizer; fertilizer policy and regulation; building fertilizer manufacturing facilities and so on. The Commissioner and the Director agreed to bring up these and other relevant issues during the Meeting of the Governing Council of the AFFM to be held on 16 June 2015 on the margins of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development.Commissioner commended the AfDB for the cooperation and support to AUC and especially her department in several areas including agriculture, water and sanitation as well as climate changed for development.
The meeting was attended by Mr. Benedict Kanu, AfDB’s Lead Agriculture Expert and Officer in charge of the AFFM Secretariat and Dr. Janet Edeme, Head of Division of Rural Economy and Food and nutrition Security in the AUC Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture.
For further information and media inquiries:
Molalet Tsedeke
Media Center Coordinador, Directorate of Information and Communications, AUC
For further information contact
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: dinfo@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
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July 15, 2015COMMISIONER TUMUSIIME MEETS THE DIRECTOR OF THE GLOBAL PANEL ON NUTRITION
PRESS RELEASE Nº 162/ 2015
COMMISIONER TUMUSIIME MEETS THE DIRECTOR OF THE GLOBAL PANEL ON NUTRITION
Addis Ababa- 14 July 2015- Her Excellency Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture at the African Union Commission has today met Prof. Sandy Thomas, the newly appointed Director of the Global Panel on Agriculture and Food Systems for Nutrition. Commissioner is a member of this Panel which was set up during the UK Presidency of the G8 to advance evidence-based advocacy targeting policy makers, in favour of nutrition for the health and prosperity of individuals, households, communities and nations especially in the developing world including in Africa. The Panel is co-chaired by Sir John Beddington, former UK Chief Scientific Adviser, and John Kufuor, former President of Ghana.
Commissioner welcomed the Director and congratulated her upon her appointment and assured her of the full cooperation of the AUC and especially of the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture. The Director briefed the Commissioner on the activities so far undertaken by the Panel and their visibility and impact. Commissioner commended the Panel for the work so far done well.
The Director then sought Commissioner’s perspectives for the improved performance of the Panel. The Commissioner called for, among others, support in strengthening country level capacities to mainstream and champion nutrition issues. The two agreed that, among others, the Panel could hold activities around relevant key AU events such as the Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security scheduled for 30 October 2015 in Kampala, Uganda and the First Meeting of the Specialised Technical Committee on Agriculture, Environment and Rural Development to be held in November this year.
They also agreed to reach out to other partners, both public and private, to support the pursuit of the objectives of the Panel. The Director also invited Commissioner to the Annual Meeting of the Panel due to take place on 16-17 November 2015 in Accra, Ghana and the follow up Panel Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Josue Dione, Senior Advisor of the Commissioner.
For further information and media inquiries:
Molalet Tsedeke
Media Center Coordinador, Directorate of Information and Communications, AUC
For further information contact
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: dinfo@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
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July 15, 2015Partners roundtable towards the operationalization of Africa’s agenda on Accelerated Agriculture Growth and...
MEDIA ADVISORY
INVITATION TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA
What: High level Roundtable on Mobilizing Finance to Support Operationalization of Africa’s Agenda on Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation.
When: Wednesday 15 July, 2015, at 6:30pm
Where: African Union Commission, (Multi-Purpose Hall), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Who: Organized by the African Union Commission and NEPAD Agency, in partnership with the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).
Objectives: The specific objective of this roundtable is to consult with partners on the financing agricultural transformation, more particularly geared towards operationalization of the 2014 Malabo Commitments on Agriculture, at continental, regional and country levels.
Participants: the roundtable will bring together leaders from government, private sector, development and technical partners, and Philanthropists.
Background:
It is to be recalled that the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) was adopted in 2003by the African Union (AU) as a framework to guide policies and strategies towards the attainment of food security and poverty reduction goals in Africa. The achievement of an agricultural growth rate of at least 6%, and the commitment by the AU Member States of allocation of at least ten percent of the annual national budget to agriculture constitute key aspects of CAADP. An important feature of CAADP is its emphasis on African leadership/ownership, a structured evidence-based approach and sustainable agricultural development as a key means to economic growth and poverty alleviation.
A decade of CAADP implementation realised a number of transformational successes as 40 countries have engaged and launched the CAADP process and having signed CAADP Compacts whilst 32 countries have translated their compacts into National Agriculture and Food Security Investment Plans and are at different stages of implementation. At the same time the seriousness with which agricultural growth is being pursued is intensifying across the continent and this is both manifested and encouraged by the prioritization of agriculture in Africa’s common political agenda.
It is in this regard that the AUC, the NEPAD Agency,in partnership with the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), is organising a resource mobilisation event bringing together its partners, many of whom have expressed at various fora their commitment to this cause to mobilise the required financing for operationalising the Malabo commitments.
Journalists are invited to attend and cover the event on Wednesday 15 July 2015 at 6:30pm, at the African Union Commission.
Draft Programme is attached.
For further information and media inquiries:
Mr. Maurice Lorka,
CAADP Advisor, Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture, AUC
Mr. Molalet Tsedeke
Media Center Coordinador, Directorate of Information and Communications, AUC
For further information contact
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: dinfo@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
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July 15, 2015COMMISIONER TUMUSIIME RECEIVES DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF WFP
PRESS RELEASE Nº 161/ 2015
COMMISIONER TUMUSIIME RECEIVES DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF WFP
Addis Ababa 14 July 2015-Her Excellency Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture at the African Union Commission received Mr. Amir Mahmoud Abdulla, Deputy Executive Director of the World Food Programme who called on her at her Offices.
While welcoming Mr. Amir, Commissioner Tumusiime commended the WFP for the cooperation with the AUC and especially with her Department in supporting AU Member States through various programmes. She singled out the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) for ensuring food and nutrition security; the Purchase for Progress (P4P) which, while meeting food emergencies, catalyses agricultural production focusing on smallholder farmers particularly women; and the African Risk Capacity which provides country-owned collective insurance pool in case of drought-related disasters.
In acknowledging the compliments, the Deputy Executive Director also lauded the collaboration of the AUC in furtherance of the objectives shared by WFP. He reaffirmed his organisation’s commitment to consolidating this partnership and up scaling its initiatives. He also promised to support the AU’s programme pertaining to sharing experiences of countries such as Brazil that have success stories including the home-grown school feeding within the zero hunger initiative. They also agreed to engage together the private sector in supporting joint initiatives.
The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere and was attended by among others: Mr. Thomas Yanga – WFP Director to AU & UNECA; Mr. John Aylieff- WFP Country Director for Ethiopia; and Dr. Josue Dione, Senior Advisor of the Commissioner.
Molalet Tsedeke
Media Center Coordinador, Directorate of Information and Communications, AUC
For further information contact
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: dinfo@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
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July 14, 2015Commissioner Tumusiime and CGIAR CEO discuss progress on the MoU between AUC and CGIAR
JOINT PRESS RELEASE
Commissioner Tumusiime and CGIAR CEO discuss progress on the MoU between AUC and CGIAR
Addis Ababa, 13, July 2015 - Her Excellency Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture yesterday received the Steering Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation for an improved Agricultural Production and productivity. The meeting was co-chaired by Dr. Frank Rijsberman Chief Executive Officer of the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research Consortium (CGIAR Consortium) to review and agree on priorities in implementing the AU Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Africa Agriculture Growth and Transformation as well as other areas of agricultural development within the Memorandum of Understanding between AUC and CGIAR that was signed in January 2013.
The discussions were guided by the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding, the Implementation Strategy and Roadmap for the Malabo Declaration, as well as the CGIAR’s Strategy and Results Framework.
On behalf of Commissioner Tumusiime, the Dr. Abebe Haile Gabriel Director of Rural economy and Agriculture, welcoming Dr. Rijsberman and other Members of the Steering Committee said it was time to focus on strategic areas that would yield the most practical impact and results in agricultural development particularly in Africa.
Dr. Rijsberman concurred with the Commissioner and expressed CGIAR’s wish to contribute towards rolling out the Malabo Declaration and noted that CGIAR was in the process of refocusing and aligning their CGIAR Research Programmes in Africa to support the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) implementation.
During the discussions, they agreed on how to coordinate efforts better among Agricultural Research and Development (ARD) Stakeholders in Africa towards an expedient implementation of collaborative activities, as laid out in the 2013 MoU by strengthening the working relationship between Africa ARD and CGIAR in the fields of agricultural Science, Technology and Innovations. They will as well focus more on Women, youth employment and Climate Smart Agriculture.The meeting further agreed that both organizations’ technical teams will work together in elaborating priority areas for cooperation and partnership for 2015-2016.
The meeting was also attended by DREA Staff, the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), the AfricaRice, the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), the International Food Policy Institute (IFPRI) and International Livestock Research institute (ILRI).
For further information and media inquiries:
Maurice Lorka; CAADP Advisor, Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture, AUC
N’guessanp@africa-union.orgMolalet Tsedeke ; Media Center Coordinador, Directorate of Information and Communications, AUC
MolaletT@africa-union.orgAlain Vidal, Director Partnership CGIAR Consortium; A.Vidal@cgiar.org
For further information contact
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: dinfo@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
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June 29, 2015 to June 30, 2015Permanent Secretaries/ Heads of Ministries of Agriculture leadership retreat June on operationalizing Malabo June 29-30JOINT PRESS RELEASE
Achieving the aspirations of the 2014 Malabo Commitments on Agriculture through reasserting country ownership and leadership
Description: IMG_0761Nairobi, Kenya, June 29, 2015 – “The importance of operationalising the Malabo Declaration for transformation of African agriculture for shared prosperity cannot be overemphasised. Agriculture is the backbone of Kenya’s economy, as well as many other African countries,” says Rebecca Wahome, CAADP Focal Person for Kenya in the Ministry of Agriculture.
Ms. Wahome was speaking today at the Permanent Secretaries Leadership Retreat on operationalising the Malabo Declaration on Accelerated African Agricultural Growth and Transformation (3AGT) convened by the African Union Commission in collaboration with the NEPAD Agency. The Leadership Retreat has brought together over 100 participants - Permanent Secretaries and CAADP Focal persons of Ministries of Agriculture, Rural Development, Livestock and Aquaculture, Regional Economic Communities and Partners.
The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) is an African-led agenda designed to guide Africa’s agricultural transformation for sustained food security and socio-economic growth. The 2014 Malabo Declaration is a commitment adopted by AU Heads of State and Government to provide effective leadership for the achievement of specific goals by the year 2025, including ending hunger, tripling intra-African trade in agricultural goods and services, enhancing resilience of livelihoods and production systems, and ensuring that agriculture contributes significantly to poverty reduction.
To meet these goals, African leaders re-affirmed their commitment to the CAADP process and agreed to enhance investment finance and to a biennial tracking of progress and reporting mechanism as part of the mutual accountability commitment.
In his opening remarks at the Leadership Retreat, Dr. Abebe Haile Gabriel, AUC Director for the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture empahsised the importance of country ownership and leadership in realising the goals of the Malabo committments.
Description: IMG_0744The aspirations in the Malabo Declaration underscore CAADP implementation as a national responsibility. It is therefore critical that Heads of Ministries as custodians of government policies and national development strategies and plans, including the National Agriculture and Food Security Investment Plans, fully embrace and internalise the responsibilities for driving the CAADP agenda.
Dr Abebe emphasised that making deliberate and informed actions to bring about desired changes and development is actually ‘in our hands’ and urged leaders to steer away from rhetoric on the importance of agriculture by actual demonstration of its importance through increasing investments in the sector that will help realise attainment of the goals in the Malabo committments.
Martin Bwalya, NEPAD Agency’s Head of Programme Development, speaking on behalf of the NEPAD CEO, Dr. Ibrahim Mayaki, stressed that Malabo Declaration has brought to the core issue of delivering RESULTS. Sustaining the CAADP momentum build up over the last ten years will only be sustained by demostrating results and actual impact of agricultural transformation on peoples’ livelihoods and national economic growth. In emphasing implementation and delivery of results, Malabo Declaration also underscores the critical role the national leadership – technical and political, have to play in driving implementation COUNTRY ACTION. The Permenent/Principal Secretaries – as custodians of Government Policy and drivers for implementation support, are critical lead players in making the COUNTRY ACTION that Malabo demands.
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For more details and to arrange interviews
Contact:
Carol Jilombo
Africa Union Commission DREA
Email: Jilomboc@africa-union.org
Mwanja Ng’anjo
NEPAD CAADP Communications
Phone: +27 11 2563582
Email: Mwanjan@nepad.org
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April 27, 2015 to April 30, 2015International Conference on Illegal Trade in Wild Fauna and Flora in Africa, Palais des Congrès, Brazzaville, Congo
Congo Republic burnsits entire stockpile of seized ivory
Burning ceremony takes place a day before announcement of African strategy for tackling wildlife crime
Brazzaville, 29 April -- The Government of Congo incinerated nearly five tons of poached ivory, fuelled by seized timber, in a strong demonstration of Africa’s opposition to wildlife crime. The occasion was presided over by His Excellency Denis SassouNguesso, President of the Republic of Congo, and witnessed by, among others His Excellency IdrisDebyItno, President of the Republic of Chad and Chair of the Economic Community of Central African States and His Excellency Daniel OnaOndo the Prime Minister representing H.E The President of the Republic of Gabon. We as African leaders have resolved to deal with this problem decisively to salvage our natural heritage for the benefit of our citizens, said President Sassou. Earlier in the opening session for the International Conference on Illegal Exploitation and Illicit Trade in African wild flora and fauna, President Deby had articulated the gravity of the matter that brought down the elephants in his own country from 50,000 to only 5,000 within a short span. The Gabonese Prime Minister had also conveyed the commitment of President Bongo Ondimba to collaborate with their fellow Heads of State and Government in putting in place policies and institutions as well as engaging other regions and partners in this cause.
“This new evil is continuing to gain ground,” said Henri Djombo, Congo’s Minister of Forest Economy and Sustainable Development. Wildlife crime is “eroding and impoverishing the continent’s biological resources from a social, economic and environmental standpoint.”
The ceremony took place a day before the announcement of the first pan-African strategy to combat illicit trade in flora and fauna. A first strategy and action plan will be presentedto the June 2015 African Union Summit to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa. The conference was organized by the Government of Congo, with support from the African Union (AU), the United Nations and other partners.
“This conference is Africa-driven. It complements earlier and ongoinginitiatives and processes and shows strong determination to deal withthis issue. With strong political will, regional cooperation and sustainable partnerships, the continent will be in a position to unite and act before it is too late,” said Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, Commissioner of the African Union.
Wildlife trafficking devastates biodiversity and ecosystems, threatening the supply of food and freshwater and eroding livelihoods for millions of people in Africa. It also creates insecurity, fuelling conflicts and corruption, depriving countries of their assets, compromising the rule of law and dividing societies. Poaching and trafficking pose a direct threat to sustainable development efforts in Africa and elsewhere.
"Today’s destruction of confiscated ivory by the Congo will attract global, regional and national attention and should serve to raise further public awareness about the devastating impacts of illegal ivory trade and wildlife trafficking, and about the Congo's, and the global community’s, collective determination to put an end to it." said John E. Scanlon, Secretary-General of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
“Wildlife crime is effectively robbing people’s means of subsistence and countries’ economic wealth on a massive scale. As we pave the way for the Sustainable Development Goals, we need to make sure protecting biodiversity remains high on the agenda. The well-being of present and future generations depends on it,” said Nik Sekhran, the Director of Sustainable Development at UNDP.
“This burn is a symbolic statement from Africa that all ivory markets must be destroyed. Elephants are vital ecologically, a major source of livelihoods for local peoples, particularly in the tourism industry, and symbols for the culture of Africa,” said John Robinson, WCS Executive Vice President for Conservation and Science.
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For media interviews, photos and videos, please contact Nicolas.douillet@undp.org +1 917 701 1520. For more information: www.africa.undp.org
Mr Barthelemy Moussoki, Communication Sub-Committee, Congo, gmoussoki@yahoo.fr, +242 55707259
Mr Molalet Tsedeke, Media Centre Coordinator, AUC, MolaletT@africa-union.org
Mary A. Dixon, Sr. Vice President, Communications, Wildlife Conservation Society, mdixon@wcs.org +1.347.840.1242Conference website: http://www.conf-labff-brazza.org
Follow the Conference on Illegal Trade in Wild Fauna and Flora in Africa on Tele-Congo and Canal+ Afrique (channel 145) at www.congo-site.com, @conf_labff_braz, @congositemaster, @UNEP, @UNDPAfrica, and @_AfricanUnion
Hashtags: #EndWildlifeCrime #ProtectWildlife #Espècesmenacées -
April 27, 2015DREA Commissioner meets with Harvest Plus team to discuss bio-fortificationAddis Ababa, April 27, 2015- Her Excellency Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, AU Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture today received Dr. Howarth Bouis, Director of Harvest Plus and Dr. Anna-Marie Ball the Head of Africa Strategic Alliances, Harvest Plus.
Harvest Plus is a lead research-based, agriculture technology institution that was established to respond to the problem of ‘hidden hunger’ which is caused by the lack of essential vitamins and minerals in the diet, such as vitamin A, zinc, and iron, thus reinforcing agriculture’s pivotal role in improving the quality of diet and increasing micronutrient consumption.
The duo briefed the Commissioner about Harvest Plus’ accomplishments in breeding and producing bio-fortified food crops and distributing bio-fortified seed varieties and improved cultivars, thereby empowering rural communities. The organization also helps add value to locally produced agricultural crops in countries where the organisation is working, in Africa.
Dr.Bouis shared some successes of their programme including inroads in processing, marketing, distribution and advertising of orange maize in Zambia, rapid expansion in production and consumption of yellow cassava in Nigeria, the impact of high yielding iron beans in Rwanda, and the proliferation of farming households (over 250,000) in Uganda who are farming bio-fortified sweet potatoes.
The two parties discussed the need to implement a strong advocacy programme for promoting buy-in, farming and consumption of the bio-fortified crops, especially among poor farming and urban communities.
Commissioner Tumusiime stressed that the use of farming technology needed to be propagated at higher policy making levels so that farmers could adopt it and sellers could buy the micronutrient-added produce in good quantities to improve market access.
She assured Harvest Plus of her strong appreciation of the role the organization was playing in lifting the rural poor communities in Africa out of poverty and improving healthy and nutrient-dense dietary consumption.
Commissioner Tumusiime further assured Harvest Plus of support of the programme within her portfolio in the AUC as well as her role as a Member of the Global Panel on Agriculture and Food Systems for Nutrition.
She also reinforced the need to align activities under the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Framework and the commitments of the Malabo Declaration, adding that the current momentum was towards implementation and results.
Mrs. Tumusiime encouraged Harvest Plus to join efforts within the Agriculture Science Agenda in which the AUC andthe Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers (CGIAR) work together within the framework of Forum for Agriculture Research in Africa (FARA).
Harvest Plus has released a number of bio-fortified crops, including: iron beans, iron pearl millet, vitamin A cassava, vitamin A maize, vitamin A sweet potatoes, zinc rice and zinc wheat.
Media Contact
Ms. Carol Jilombo, Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture; AUC
Mr. Molalet Tsedeke; Directorate of Information and Communication, AUC;
For further information contact
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: dinfo@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
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Directorate of Information and Communication | Information and Communication | African Union CommissionTel: +251-11-5517700 | Fax: | E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org | Web:www.au.int
Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
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April 25, 2015Commissioner Tuimusiime Receives NEPAD Nutrition Chief
Addis Ababa 24 April 2015- Her Excellency Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, Commissioner for Rural Economy at the African Union Commission has today received Mrs. Isatou Djallow, the Chief of Nutrition at the NEPAD Planning and Coordination Agency (NPCA).
They discussed areas of enhancing collaboration in taking forward the July 2014 AU Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Africa Agriculture Growth and Transformation and specifically nutrition which is one of the key commitments under the Malabo Declaration and indeed one of the pillars of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).
They considered ways of capitalising on this momentum to increase the place of nutrition in the agriculture agenda. In the same vein, they also discussed ways of maximising the position of Commissioner on the Global Panel on Agriculture and Food Systems for Nutrition.
They further looked at the state of preparations for the 2015 Africa day for Food and Nutrition Security. Mrs Isatou Djallow was accompanied by Mrs Kifilwe Maolosi and another senior official of the NPCA.
Media Contact
Mr. Molalet Tsedeke; Directorate of Information and Communication, AUC;
Ms. Carol Jilombo, Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture; AUC
For further information contact
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: dinfo@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
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Directorate of Information and Communication | Information and Communication | African Union CommissionTel: +251-11-5517700 | Fax: | E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org | Web:www.au.int
Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
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April 25, 2015AUC Commissioner Receives Indian AmbassadorAddis Ababa 24 April 2015- Her Excellency Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, Commissioner for Rural Economy at the African Union Commission has today received H.E The Ambassador of the Republic of India to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia who is also the Permanent Representative to the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.
They discussed issues within the context of Africa-India Partnership as part of the South-South Cooperation for Development especially in view of the Africa-India Summit of Heads of State and Government due in October this year in New Delhi.
Of particular interest, the Commissioner and the Ambassador talked the area of African Agricultural Mechanisation within the framework of the July 2014 AU Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Africa Agriculture Growth and Transformation.
Commissioner informed the Ambassador that the Commission of the African Union had partnered with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa and developed a concept for African Agriculture Mechanisation that covers the entire process from acquisition and distribution to maintenance and sustainability of agricultural equipment through among others, capacity building. She lauded the advances that India had made in manufacturing and applying agricultural technology and called for a sharing of that experience, expertise and technology and innovation.
The Ambassador expressed his country’s willingness and readiness to collaborate with Africa in the area of agricultural modernisation including agricultural mechanisation. This issue will be among those that will be deliberated upon at the forthcoming Africa-India Summit and prior to that, two technical missions from India will visit the African Union Commission to work out details to include in the Joint Declaration and Action Plan for consideration and eventual adoption by the Summit.
They also reviewed the progress in taking forward the agricultural science farms being established in different regions of Africa under the Africa-India Partnership. They also agreed to enhance collaboration between the AUC and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), a non-profit, non-political organization that conducts agricultural research headquartered in Hyderabad in India.
The Ambassador also invited Commissioner to visit the Annual Exhibition and Fair showcasing India’s agricultural mechanisation currently going on at Meskel Square in Addis Ababa, to which Commissioner agreed. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr. R.V Venkatesan, Second Secretary.Media Contact
Mr. Molalet Tsedeke; Directorate of Information and Communication, AUC;
molalett@africa-union.org;Ms. Carol Jilombo, Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture; AUC
jilomboc@africa-union.orgFor further information contact
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: dinfo@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
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March 25, 2015 to March 27, 201511th CAADP Partnership Platform March 25-27, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Walking the talk: the 11th Meeting of the CAADP Partnership Platform calls for delivery of the AU Malabo commitments on agriculture towards women empowerment and development
Johannesburg, South Africa, March 26, 2015 - the 11th Meeting of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Partnership Platform (PP) officially opened yesterday with a call to CAADP stakeholders to deliver on the commitments made in the AU Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Africa Agricultural Growth and Transformation at the 23rd African Union (AU) Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, in Equatorial Guinea last year.
The two day CAADP PP, held under the theme, “Walking the Talk: Delivering on the Malabo Commitments on Agriculture for Women Empowerment and Development,” brings together African and global leaders from a number of international organisations, African Governments including parliamentarians from select countries, private agribusiness firms, farmers, NGOs and civil society organizations.
This PP - the first after the Malabo Declaration - is designed to help shape how the renewed commitments will be translated into action, results and impact at country level. This year's PP also comes on the backdrop of the AU Year of Women Empowerment and Development, and the adoption of the AU Agenda 2063.
Speaking during the opening session, African Union Commission (AUC) Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, H.E Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, reiterated the call made by AU Leaders during their Malabo Summit, stating that, “It is now time to deliver! It is now time to walk the talk.”She informed the gathering that the Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Africa Agricultural Growth and Transformation, in line with Africa's Agenda 2063, reiterates a call for action and delivery of results and impact and an expedient process of translating the commitments into results.
Commissioner Tumusiime further noted that through collaborative efforts the AUC, NEPAD Agency, Regional Economic Communities and Development Partners developed the Implementation Strategy and Roadmap (IS&R) and a programme of work for the implementation of the Malabo Declaration. (The complete speech is available on www.au.int).
South Africa's Director General in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Prof. Edith Vries observed that, “70% of food is produced by small-holder farmers, a majority of them being women. Prioritizing women in agriculture would therefore be a smart and critical political move for governments.”
And giving a keynote presentation during the opening session, Dr. Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, CEO of the NEPAD Agency said, “The Malabo Declaration is situated at the highest level of ambition by placing agricultural development in the broader context of the structural transformation of our societies. This is expressed, for instance, in the goals of eradicating hunger and halving poverty. It also goes beyond the strict challenges of agricultural production to tackle changes required in African trade and institutions.''Dr. Mayaki said the strategy to implement the Malabo commitments could no longer simply be aimed at committing to more planning and investment but would come from an increased and bold focus on reforms in economic policies and in institutional capabilities.
Other speakers at the opening event included Dr. Theo de Jager; President, Pan African Farmers' Organisation (PAFO) and the Southern African Confederation of Agricultural Unions (SACAU) who called for more focused attention to be given to agriculture and farmers.
Mr. Roberto Ridolfi representing EU, which is the current Chair of the CAADP Development Partners Task team Chair, reiterated the partners commitment to support for delivering on the Malabo Commitments to transform Africa's agriculture and called for enhanced adherence to principles of mutual accountability. Also in attendance was Malawi's Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Hon. Allan Chiyembekeza.
The two day meeting will encompass focused discussions and consensus on specific actions to deliver on the 2014 Malabo commitments for the next decade of CAADP in line with the thrust of the AU Agenda 2063, an important part of which is agricultural transformation and women empowerment.Media Contact
Ms. Carol Jilombo, Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture; AUC
jilomboc@africa-union.orgMr. Molalet Tsedeke; Directorate of Information and Communication, AUC;
molalett@africa-union.org;For further information contact
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: dinfo@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
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