Events

The Finnish and South African Gov¬ernments have committed their con¬tinued support to NEPAD’s BioFISA Programme, as concrete achieve¬ments have been made in combat¬ing hunger, sustaining livestock and curing diseases. This follows a recent meeting in Johannesburg to evaluate the impact of BioFISA which is sup¬ported by the two countries. At the conference, experts took stock of the Programme’s track record since its establishment in 2009.

In less than three years, the Pro¬gramme has improved the lives of more than 600 small-scale mush¬room growers in Malawi, Namibia and Swaziland, by providing technical and scientific approaches to farming the crop.
In addition, more than 100 agriculture extension officers and researchers in Angola, Namibia, Malawi, Mozam¬bique, Swaziland and Zambia have been trained in mushroom farming. These new approaches to produc¬ing edible fungus have improved the quality as well as yields of the crop.
In Malawi for example, a recent random tour of five villages around Bunda Agriculture College in the commercial capital Lilongwe, showed positive results. In each village several female farmers are growing mushrooms.

“My husband concentrates on tobacco. The men in this village are sceptical about mushroom farming. So we the womenfolk got together and we are doing very well. From my sales, I bought a bicycle which I use every day to deliver my produce to Bunda College. They in turn take it to the city and sell it for us. Now that my husband’s tobacco business is not very profitable, I am playing a bigger role in supporting the family from my mushroom sales”.
Mrs Kwalira says she uses the money she gets, to buy uniforms and pay school fees for her children.
NEPAD also supported the establish¬ment of aquaculture and fish farming facilities in Malawi’s Dowa District. The farmers have been trained in how to effectively grow fish using very simple techniques.
Beneficiaries of this project, Flora Mwase and Headman Matchayasim¬bi say they can now afford basic necessities and have become role models among other farmers in how to integrate fruit and vegetables crop¬ping by using pond water.
Through the proceeds, Flora has been able to construct a house with iron-sheet roofing. Previously, she lived in a grass-thatched mud house. She also bought a radio, an impor¬tant form of entertainment and infor¬mation for people in rural areas.

An effective farmer participatory research programme and seed funds from NEPAD and the Malawian Government were essential for the success. There is now increased de¬mand by farmers to extend fish pond farming to cover other districts.

This was a milestone for the fisheries sector since fish is one of the leading export commodities for Africa, with an annual export value of nearly 4.8 billion and 614 million US dollars for intra-African trade. So for countries like Sierra Leone and others in Africa, where fishing is one of the key main¬stays, it also makes a valuable con¬tribution to food and nutrition security feeding 200 million people annually. For millions on the continent, fish is the only protein food and represents the sole source of essential elements and fats to vulnerable rural African consumers, especially women and children.
However, Africa is still unable to meet its own fish consumption needs due to inadequate infrastructure, lack of financial resources, technologies and mismanagement and therefore has to import fish products.

Hence, fisheries is also integral part of the agenda of NEPAD’s Compre¬hensive Africa Agriculture Develop¬ment Programme (CAADP) aimed at increasing food supply and reducing hunger through national budgetary al¬location. So far, 30 African countries have signed the CAADP Compact to commit at least 10 per cent of their national budgets to agriculture. PAF supports these efforts and is being in¬corporated into their national CAADP food security investment plans, one of the key drivers to raise agricultural productivity on the continent to at least 6 percent annually.

In essence, PAF is about increasing, sustaining and protecting Africa’s as¬sets – fish - and to stimulate growth across the continent. This means strengthening Africa’s capacity to consider, determine and implement responsive reforms in fisheries gover¬nance and trade.
supports reforms in governance and trade.

The fisheries sector of Africa has the potential to contribute to about six percent of the Continent’s annual economic growth; however, it does not have enough resources to deal with this challenge which is made even more complex by illegal fishing, inadequate management, the threat of climate change, and over fishing.
According to Dr Sloans Chimatiro, Senior Fisheries Advisor at NEPAD, in order to deal with these chal¬lenges, PAF established and over¬sees continental working groups in key policy areas such as Good Governance; Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing; Fisher¬ies Investment; Fisheries Trade and Access to markets; and Aquaculture. “The working groups are composed of African and non-African experts in fisheries and aquaculture. They draw on experience in fishing communities, industry, government and educational institution,” said Dr Chimatiro.

In 2010 PAF hosted the first Confer¬ence of African Ministers of Fisheries and Aquaculture (CAMFA) in Ban¬jul, the Gambia. This African Union (AU)-led conference was the first of its kind and facilitated information sharing and promoted dialogue on the role and importance of the fisher¬ies sector. CAMFA was established as a policy organ of the AU to provide high-level guidance for continent-wide reforms. In January 2011, the 16th Summit of the AU endorsed the establishment of CAMFA. Through a Comprehensive African Fisheries Reform Strategy by 2013.

Sierra Leone’s fisheries sector, val¬ued at US$735 million, has received a boost from NEPAD’s Partnership for African Fisheries Programme (PAF), through funding of US$1.4 million disbursed by its West Africa Pilot Project (WAPP). This interven¬tion will provide direct and indirect employment for over 500,000 people.

The Pilot project, which is also man¬aged by PAF, has contributed signifi¬cantly to combating illegal fishing in the region. It has supported the Gov¬ernment of Sierra Leone to build ap-propriate policy and legal frameworks to capitalise on fish exploitation and has strengthened regional integra¬tion through the building of inshore fisheries infrastructure to stimulate economic growth. Since its establish¬ment in Sierra Leone in 2011, WAPP has increased the country’s food supply by enlarging aquacultures considered to be the fastest growing food-producing sector worldwide.

PAF was established in 2009 as a collaboration between the NEPAD Agency and the United Kingdom’s Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The Partnership builds on earlier fisheries reforms in Africa such as the Abuja Declaration on Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa.

PAF has been working to empower the fisheries sector by facilitat¬ing access to financial institutions, particularly to those most vulnerable to fishing such as small-scale and grassroots fishers. It also promotes responsible fisheries management, sustainability in Africa’s fisheries and
www.nepad.org | info@nepad.org | tel: +27 11 256 3615

Second Communiqué on Integrated Seed Sector Development

African Union Commission African Seed and Biotechnology Programme (ASBP)

Integrated Seed Sector Development in Africa: The Role of Entrepreneurship and Priority Themes for Joint Action

The concept of integrated seed sector development (ISSD) was endorsed by the African Union Commission in the Communiqué on Integrated Seed Sector Development of May 2011 as part of efforts towards the implementation of the African Seed and Biotechnology Programme (ASBP) which was endorsed by the AU Heads of State and Government in 2007 during their 8th Ordinary Session and acknowledging that different seed systems co-exist, each with its own unique characteristics and contributions. Therefore, the Communiqué recommends that a pluralistic approach to seed sector development is required to optimally serve objectives of food security, economic development and biodiversity through entrepreneurship.

The delegates from the following AU Member States: Burundi; Ethiopia; Ghana; Malawi; Mali; Mozambique; Uganda; and Zambia, and regional organisations in Africa: ASARECA; and RUFORUM, discussed seed sector development in a meeting organised by the African Union Commission and Wageningen University and Research centre, financially supported by the Government of the Netherlands in partnership with Agri-ProFocus, CTA, Future Agricultures Consortium, IFAD, IFDC, Royal Tropical Institute and Self Help Africa. The meeting took place from the 8th to the 10th of April 2013 at the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Ghana.

This pan-African synthesis meeting was guided by a regional workshop held in Adama, Ethiopia in September 2012, and national seed entrepreneurship assessments, consultative multi-stakeholder workshops and national seminars in Burundi, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Uganda and Zambia.

Recognising that a number of principles guide the operationalization of the integrated seed sector development concept, including the appreciation of the relevance of informal seed systems, the need for integrating informal and formal systems and inclusive participation. Accordingly, programmes can be built upon a range of seed systems to foster pluralism and integration. An evidence based approach contributes to guiding interventions in different seed systems. Enabling policies can foster the development of a vibrant seed sector.

AU Commissioner and AGRA President discuss strategic partnership

Addis Ababa 15 March 2013- Commissioner Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, AU Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture; and Ms. Jane Karuku, the President of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) held a meeting at the African Union Commission on Friday 15 March 2013.

The objective of the meeting held between AUC-DREA and AGRA was to share the vision, objectives, and modes of operation of the two parties, aiming to identify areas of strategic congruence and concrete scope for enhanced partnership and cooperation.

In her opening statement, Commissioner Tumusiime commended AGRA for the continued partnership with AUC and for its work in advancing agricultural development at country-level across the continent especially in extension services, input delivery, output market development and functioning, and farmer organization and capacity building.

She called for closer collaboration between AGRA and AUC-DREA in furtherance of the shared goal of increased agricultural production, productivity, food and nutrition security on the continent. She said these efforts need to stepped up especially this year which marks the 50th Anniversary of the African Union’s predecessor, the Organization of African Unity (OAU), 10 years of the existence of the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), and in preparation for the 2014 AU Year of Agriculture and Food Security.

Specifically, the AU Commissioner outlined areas for coordinated collaboration such as sustaining the CAADP momentum that Member States are calling for and heightening support to country Investment Plans; the African Fertilizer Financing Mechanism in addition to follow up and implementation of African Union declarations and decisions on strategic commodities, value chain development, fertilizer use, irrigation, agricultural research and technology, sanitary and phytosanitary issues, post-harvest loss reduction and climate-resilience.

Taking the floor, the President of AGRA registered her own and her organization’s gratitude to the Commissioner for her leadership on the continent and also expressed appreciation for the collaboration that AGRA enjoyed with the AUC-DREA. She highlighted AGRA’s key areas of engagement in AU Member States and Regions from small holder farmer support to input-output markets and micro-finance, from fertilizer and soil management to post-harvest interventions, from research and development to value chain development, and demonstrating success models. She pledged her readiness and willingness to ensure that AGRA heightens its alignment and cooperation with AUC-DREA on policies, programmes and projects in advancing agricultural development on the continent particularly leveraging on the AU’s convening power and policy advocacy.

Ms. Karuku further highlighted the strong conceptual, programmatic, and operational alignment of AGRA’s investment portfolio with the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP), opening considerable scope for a strong and rewarding partnership. The AU Commissioner and AGRA President highlighted the importance of women in agriculture at both production and agribusiness levels which they agreed to collaborate in supporting in more concrete terms.

The two principals expressed satisfaction with the proceeding and outcomes of the meeting. They agreed to work more closely for enhanced productivity of this strategic partnership. The meeting was attended by senior officials of the AUC and AGRA.

Statement by H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission on the occasion of the Celebration of Africa Environment Day and Wangari Maathai Day, March 3, 2013

As envisaged by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, the celebration of the Africa Environment Day and Wangari Maathai Day provides us with an opportunity to review and critically analyze our activities in the realms of sustainable development. It is the time of the year when we, as individuals, communities and countries, can re-examine our footprints on the environment, to give ourselves a sense of our impact on the global environment at large and more so on the lives of the future generations who would be depending on the environmental resources whose services we are enjoying today.
The celebration affords us the chance to re-dedicate ourselves to the principles of environmental conservation and sustainable development and to emulate the legacy of the late Prof. Wangari Maathai, who devoted all her life promoting ecosystem conservation and the preservation of biological diversity. In addition, she supported sustainable development efforts and women-empowerment in Africa in particular, and the world in general.
The African continent continues to endure serious environmental and sustainable development challenges. The unfolding phenomena of climate change, biodiversity depletion, desertification, land degradation and irrational use of finite natural resources remain serious risks for Africa as they pose real impediments to her sustainable development efforts. In unison, we must renew our collective resolve to overcome these challenges and to ensure a better future for generations of Africans yet unborn. The road would be difficult, wrought with numerous obstacles, but is reachable. On her march towards sustainable development, Africa will need more integrated approaches at both regional and national levels considering the three pillars of sustainable development: economic, social and environmental.
Sustainable environmental management is fundamental to the pursuit of food security, peace, security, and stability in Africa. A lot of the crises happening currently on the continent, be they droughts, armed conflicts, or other natural disasters, are exacerbated by environmental deterioration. To address the twin effects of climate change and desertification, Africa is bracing itself to devote undiluted attention to integrate sustainable environmental management into the mainstream development policies at both regional and national levels.
The celebration this year is of particular significance, taking place against a backdrop of key developments both at the level of the African continent and at the global level as well. This year marks the 50th Anniversary of our continental organization, OUA/AU. Africa, its citizens, and her friends around the world will be celebrating the decolonization of the continent and the tremendous achievements realized in the fields of socio-economic, political and environmental development as well the integration efforts of the African continent. The theme for the Golden Jubilee celebration is: Pan Africanism and African Renaissance. This theme underscores the importance of African countries to intensify work in cohesion and solidarity to preserve and promote their common values and heritage, including environment and natural resources. The concept of African Renaissance is built on the conviction that African people and nations can overcome the current challenges confronting the continent and achieve cultural, scientific, economic, environmental, and political renewal.
The recent United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, commonly referred to as Rio+20, marked 20 years of global efforts to strike a balance between human development and environmental sustainability. It emphasized the need to ensure that human development is holistic, encompassing economic, social, and environmental dimensions. One of concepts embraced and endorsed at the Rio+20 Summit was the ‘green economy’. This development model has been designed to put the global economy on a sustainable path, in the process mitigating the impact of climate change, generating jobs and wealth, reducing poverty, and ensuring food security especially in developing countries.
The concept of the green economy has gained currency to a large extent because it promises to provide a response to the multiple crises that the world has been facing in recent years –the climate, food and economic crises – with an alternative paradigm that offers the promise of growth while protecting the earth’s ecosystems and, in turn, contributing to poverty alleviation. In this sense, the transition to a green economy will entail moving away from the production and consumption patterns that tend to exacerbate the difficult conditions of existence in many parts of the developing world.
We in Africa subscribe to basic principles and ideals of the green economy. It is a concept we believe can offer the African continent and other developing regions of the world alternative approaches to development which seeks to integrate economic development with environment, human well-being, and socially-inclusive growth, thereby mitigating the risks which arise from environmental degradation. The African continent is in a unique position and is well-placed to fashion new development pathways that are more sustainable than those taken elsewhere.
The imperative for Africa to pursue the green economy model is clear, considering the fact that many African economies are heavily dependent on natural resources to fuel economic growth. Agriculture, forestry and fishing, mining and quarrying, and oil and natural gas are crucial contributors to the GDP of many African economies.
While African economies are still heavily dependent on natural resources, they have started to appreciate the incentives of diversification. Domestic industries in most of these economies are biased towards natural resources (e.g. mining), and international trade is also heavily natural resource- based. Irrational use of these resources, in pursuit of economic development, can seriously disrupt economic and social growth in the long term.
Besides the environmental and economic arguments in favour of African countries’ need to adopt a green economy model, there is a strong social argument too. A large portion of the African population, especially the rural population, is directly dependent on the natural environment for their sustenance and livelihoods. Thus, the conservation of the continent’s natural resources is of paramount importance to these populations. Africa’s transition to green economy thus has economic as well as social dimensions and implications.
To make the celebration wholesome, it would be befitting to pay due attention to the environmental development dimension of the continent. As noted earlier Africa depends to a very large extend on the utilization of the environment and its resources to foster economic and social development. The 50th Anniversary is, therefore, expected to help us to underpin the centrality of the environment and natural resources in Africa’s growth trajectory and renaissance efforts based on the principles of sustainable development.
The struggle to decolonize Africa was not influenced only by the desire of Africans to gain political freedom and the right for self-determination but it was also about having the right to control and sustainably utilize Africa’s vast endowment of natural resources and ecosystems. It is therefore imperative that we jealously and steadfastly safeguard our environment to ensure our economic, social and environmental survival into the future. This has to happen to make Africa competitive in the global scheme of things.
It is fundamental not to decouple and downplay the strong linkage between the environment and Africa’s performance since the end of colonialism on the continent. Thus, it is inspirational that the theme chosen for the commemoration of the Africa Environment Day and the Wangari Maathai Day for 2013 is: “Partnership for Africa’s Transition to Green Economy in Support of African Renaissance”.
The commemoration of the Africa Environment Day and Wangari Maathai Day offers us with an opportune moment to demonstrate Africa’s appreciation of the importance to opt for green and sustainable paths to development.
I wish to take this opportunity to salute the Government and the people of the Republic of Tunisia for responding to the call made by the 14th Session of the African Ministerial Conference in September 2012 in Arusha, Tanzania, to host the Africa Environment Day and Wangari Maathai Day. The offer to host the celebrations is a clear manifestation of Tunisia’s unflinching commitment to the ideals of sustainable environmental management. We are grateful to the AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities, the UN Economic Commission for Africa, the African Development Bank, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the Greenbelt Movement for their longstanding support and collaboration in organizing the Africa Environment Day and Wangari Maathai celebration. We are equally thankful to the secretariats of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the United Convention to Combat Desertification, and the Convention on Biological Diversity for their cooperation.
I wish you all wonderful and memorable celebration of Africa Environment Day and Wangari Maathai Day. May God Bless Africa.

Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma
Chairperson
African Union Commission