EAFF congress calls for economic sovereignty of farmers to enhance agricultural development

Bujumbura-Burundi, August 5, 2013-The Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF) opened its 3rd Farmers Congress with a call for famers to be financially independent as a means to achieving agricultural development.

The Congress themed, ‘Towards economic sovereignty of the Eastern African Farmer,’ was officiated by Burundi’s second Vice President, H.E Dr. Gervais Rufyikiri, Burundi’s Minister of Agriculture, Hon Odette Kayitesi, the African Union Commission and key agricultural stakeholders from Africa and beyond.

Officially opening the congress, Burundi’s second Vice President said achieving economic sovereignty for the African farmer was cardinal as it obliged participants to propose ways and means of achieving the goal.

He called for an agricultural transformation of agriculture from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture, one that takes into account the environment and effects of climate change.

African Union Commission Head of Rural Economy division, Dr. Janet Edeme said farmers’ organisations play a key role as strategic partners in the agriculture and rural development sector as they are the legitimate voices of farmers.

She noted that farmers’ organisations involvement in the goal of reducing hunger and poverty by 2015, was pertinent as they are at the core of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP)’s conviction that Africa’s development challenges could only be effectively addressed by the continent’s own commitment and action through inclusive approaches and partnerships among African stakeholders.

EAFF’s president, Mr. Phillip Kiriro said, “Our ultimate goal as we improve our incomes and livelihoods is to enhance the dignity of our citizens. This will only happen by ensuring that our region is not only food secure but achieves sustainable food sovereignty.”