EAC needs to tap into commercial agriculture to address food security, a Lobby group affirms

NAIROBI, Kenya - The East African Business Council (EABC) has called upon the heads of state within the East Africa Community region to embrace commercial agriculture in order to address food insecurity facing the region.

According to John Kalisa, EABC -Chief Executive Officer, the agricultural sector saved the EAC from recession during the height of Covid-19.

Mr. Kalisa was addressing the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) forum in a virtual meeting held on Wednesday.

He further added that the sector has not attracted much investment to match its critical role in the economy of the region.

The EAC countries were also urged to ensure their agricultural development programs were compliant with CAADP principles.

Mr. Kalisa “EAC partner states should enhance investment financing in agriculture “to boost food production, supply, and trade.”

Mr. Darbe Nouala, a senior official of the African Union (AU), urged the EAC partner states to invest more in climate resilience.

While Dr. Agnes Kalibata, President of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), appealed to the EAC bloc to boost inter-continental investment and mutual accountability.

Jean-Baptiste Havugimana, the EAC secretariat’s director of productive services, revealed that the EAC was committed to agricultural transformation plants.

However, he told the meeting that there were still some challenges that have impeded efforts to sustain stable food production systems.

The agricultural experts In some places, production is still struggling to meet rising local and export demand or to compete efficiently in a global marketplace.

The partner states were also urged to review their agricultural development strategies in order to attract more investments.

GAROWE ONLINE