By Daisy Okiring
From September 2-6, 2024, Kigali, Rwanda will host the Africa Food Systems Summit, a pivotal event aimed at addressing the continent’s food security challenges and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. The Africa Food Systems Summit comes at a critical time for the continent. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), as of 2023, about 278 million people in Africa were facing hunger, representing 20% of the continent’s population. This summit aims to catalyze actionable solutions to this pressing issue.
Key Themes
Climate-Resilient Agriculture
With climate change disproportionately affecting Africa, the summit is expected to focus on adaptive farming techniques. The World Bank estimates that climate change could push up to 132 million people into extreme poverty by 2030, with Sub-Saharan Africa being particularly vulnerable. Discussions will likely center around strategies to enhance the resilience of agricultural systems in the face of changing weather patterns and environmental challenges.
Technology and Innovation
The integration of AgriTech solutions is anticipated to be a major talking point. A report by the African Development Bank suggests that the AgriTech market in Africa could be worth $1 billion by 2025. The summit will explore how emerging technologies such as precision agriculture, blockchain for supply chain management, and AI-driven crop monitoring can revolutionize farming practices across the continent.
Youth Engagement in Agriculture
With 60% of Africa’s population under the age of 25, strategies to attract youth to agriculture will be crucial. The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) reports that engaging youth in agriculture could help reduce rural poverty by up to 20%. The summit will address ways to make agriculture more appealing to younger generations, potentially through the integration of technology and entrepreneurship opportunities in the sector.
Smart farming in South Africa. [Photo/Farmers Review Africa]
Gender Equality in Food Systems
Women make up about 50% of the agricultural labor force in Sub-Saharan Africa. The summit is expected to address gender disparities and promote women’s empowerment in agriculture. Discussions may focus on improving women’s access to land, credit, and agricultural inputs, as well as their representation in decision-making processes within the agricultural sector.
Regional Food Trade
Strengthening intra-African food trade will be a key focus. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) could boost intra-African trade by 52.3% by 2025, according to UN Economic Commission for Africa. The summit will likely explore ways to leverage this agreement to enhance food security across the continent, reduce dependence on imports from outside Africa, and create more robust regional food supply chains.
Expected Outcomes
Policy Frameworks
The summit is likely to produce policy recommendations for national governments to enhance food security and agricultural productivity. These frameworks may address issues such as land use, water management, and sustainable farming practices. They could also include guidelines for integrating climate-smart agriculture into national development plans and strategies for improving rural infrastructure to support agricultural growth.
Investment Commitments
Increased public and private sector investments in African agriculture are anticipated. The African Union’s Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) aims for countries to allocate 10% of their national budgets to agriculture. The summit may result in new pledges from governments to meet or exceed this target, as well as commitments from international donors and private sector entities to support African agricultural development through financial investments and technical assistance.
Achieving Prosperity through Agriculture in Africa.[Photo/ Diplomatist.com]
Technology Partnerships
Collaborations between tech companies, research institutions, and governments to promote AgriTech solutions are expected. These partnerships could lead to the development and deployment of innovative technologies tailored to African agricultural contexts. Outcomes might include agreements to establish agricultural innovation hubs, joint research initiatives, or programs to provide farmers with access to digital tools and training.
Climate Action Plans
Strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation in agriculture will likely be formulated. These plans may outline specific measures to increase the resilience of farming systems, such as the adoption of drought-resistant crops, improved water management techniques, and the integration of agroforestry practices. They could also include targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector and promoting carbon sequestration in farmlands.
Harnessesing Innovation for Sustainable Agriculture. [Photo/Moroccoworldnews.com]
Youth and Women Empowerment Initiatives
Programs to support young farmers and women in agriculture are expected to be launched. These initiatives might include mentorship schemes, specialized training programs, and funding mechanisms designed to help youth and women overcome barriers to entry and success in the agricultural sector. The summit could also result in commitments to improve access to land, credit, and markets for these underrepresented groups in agriculture.
Conclusion
The 2024 Africa Food Systems Summit in Kigali represents a crucial opportunity for the continent to address its food security challenges and build a more sustainable and resilient agricultural sector. By bringing together policymakers, farmers, researchers, and private sector actors, the summit aims to catalyze transformative change in African food systems, potentially impacting millions of lives across the continent.
As the world watches, the outcomes of this summit could set the trajectory for Africa’s agricultural development for years to come, with implications for global food security, climate resilience, and sustainable development.
