Experts, political decision -makers call for combating business obstacles to stimulate food security in Africa

Addis Ababa, March 17 (Xinhua) – Experts and decision -makers called on African countries to meet persistent challenges and commercial obstacles to improve food security on the continent.

On Sunday, they made the call at a continental meeting on food security organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNCA) under the theme of “Food Security and Transfrontal Trade: Navigation on challenges and opportunities in the midst of the implementation of the agreement establishing the continental African free trade area (AFCFTA)” at the Capital Ethiopian of Addis Ababa.

Noting the urgent need for a more coordinated regional strategy to accelerate Africa’s quest for food security, the political experts and political decision-makers stressed the critical need to strengthen intra-African trade by removing existing trade barriers.

Addressing the meeting, Farayi Zimudzi, sub-regional coordinator for East Africa to the United Nations food and agricultural organization, warned against the pressing challenges of food security posed by the low agricultural productivity of Africa and the rapid population growth.

“The increase in investment in research and development, in particular in the varieties of high -performance crops and the improvement of livestock, must be prioritized. It is imperative that our agricultural production systems follow the pace of population growth,” said Zimimudzi.

Noting that the global food system is faced with increasing pressure of various shocks, resulting in exacerbated food insecurity and malnutrition, UNCA said that there were “serious challenges in Africa”, where 20% of the population of the continent is faced with undernourishment.

Continental meeting also stressed that AFCFTA – an important mechanism to stimulate intra -African food trade, especially in processed food products – can provide a rapid way to greater food security.

UNCA estimates suggest that intra-continental food trade could increase by more than 60% by 2045 if the AFCFTA is fully implemented. He said greater regional cooperation in the elimination of remaining obstacles to intra-African trade offers a path to the resilience of the supply chain in the sector, and ultimately better food security.

Stressing the urgent need to combat the widening of food trade deficits between African countries, Andrew MULD, acting director of the Office for East Africa of UNCA, stressed notable improvements between certain countries which have recently emerged as leading food exporters.

MLDI called for the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices to lead the quest for Africa to achieve food security. He added that it was essential to adopt technological progress and innovations towards the transformation of food systems in Africa.

The meeting, which was held on the sidelines of the 57th session of the Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, explored the current state of food security in Africa, the potential impact of the AFCFTA on food security and the state of intra-African food trade. The meeting has also deliberated on some of the best practices and additional measures to reduce food insecurity on the continent.