Kampala, Uganda — In a landmark decision, African nations have adopted a 10-year strategy to revolutionize agricultural development and food systems, with the announcement made during the African Union (AU) Extraordinary Summit on the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP).
Held in Kampala, Uganda, the summit concluded with the unveiling of the Kampala Declaration, a consensus document outlining actionable goals to transform agriculture across the continent.
Key Goals and Commitments
The new CAADP strategy aims to increase Africa’s agri-food output by 45% and reduce post-harvest losses by 50% by 2035. Central to the initiative is a commitment to mobilize $100 billion in public and private sector investments over the next decade to advance sustainable food production. 
The Declaration emphasized collective action among governments, parliaments, food producers, private entities, and civil society to achieve these ambitious targets. “Together, we can transform Africa’s agri-food system into a sustainable and inclusive future,” the Declaration affirmed.
Calls for Commercial Agriculture
Addressing over 2,000 delegates at the summit, including heads of state, agricultural experts, and ministers from 40 AU member countries, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni advocated for a shift towards commercial agriculture.
Highlighting its economic benefits, Museveni stated, “Fully commercialize agriculture to achieve food security and homestead income by undertaking agricultural enterprises.” He advised smallholders with limited land to adopt intensive strategies while encouraging larger landholders to pursue extensive farming methods.
Historical Context and Future Vision
The CAADP, established in 2003, was designed to eliminate hunger and combat poverty. Its initial pledge called for African nations to allocate 10% of their national budgets to agriculture. The new strategy reinforces these commitments while expanding focus to include value addition, innovation, and sustainable practices.
As Africa continues to grapple with challenges like food insecurity and climate change, the Kampala Declaration signals a united resolve to build a resilient agricultural sector capable of sustaining the continent’s growing population.
With bold commitments and a clear action plan, can Africa achieve its ambitious goals for agriculture and food security by 2035?
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