Reflection on All Africa Conference on Assuring Food and Nutrition Security in Africa by 2020

Author

John Joseph Otim

No 9531, 2004 Inaugural Symposium, December 6-8, 2004, Nairobi, Kenya from  African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE)

Abstract: The momentum generated by the Kampala 2020 All Africa Conference output together with the follow up activities have had positive impact on many African governments, regional institutions and internationally. Among its many positive outcomes, the Conference has served to put the issues of food and nutrition security squarely on the African development Agenda by underscoring its critical role in healthy lives, in particular the management of HIV/AIDS. It also recognized that food and nutrition security is inextricably linked not just to traditional agriculture but also development in education, natural resources management, infrastructures, market information systems, micro and macro-economic conditions and trade. Of significant importance is the accelerated integration of food and nutrition security into broader agricultural development programs by regional institutions (COMESA, IGAD, SADC, ECOWAS, EAC, North Africa Regional body and continental body, (NEPAD in its CAADP and AU Commission) as well as into national agricultural modernization programs. The identification of commodity successes and community bright spots for replication across the continent should help avoid duplication and can speed up the rate of achieving food and nutrition security in Africa. Food safety and quality issues are essential component of access to markets and trade at international, regional and national levels. It is therefore, imperative to develop the 3Cs competitiveness of supply capacities, conformity with market requirements and connectivity to markets to accelerate regional and international trade in food and foodstuff. However, there are challenges that need to be overcome in order to tackle the tasks of achieving food and nutrition security. These challenges include budget allocation to agriculture nutrition; developing partnership with clear roles, capacity building of stakeholders and institutions; empowering of organized communities for contract farming and trade; change in attitude; scaling up research and technology development and transformation of Africas home grown private entrepreneurs into true responsible private sector. All the above challenges call for enlightened and committed political leadership and responsible law makers working in partnership with all stakeholders to propel the processes of achieving food and nutrition security in Africa by 2020 under stable, peaceful and conducive policy environment.

Keywords: Food Security and Poverty (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2004
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