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Amid the uncertainties surrounding the issue of water scarcity, food insecurity and the looming specter of climate change, President of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), Dr. Agnes Kalibata, has stressed need for a distinct transformational plan to address food requirements of 65 per cent of the population dependent on agriculture and employment creation.
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Kabibata, who disclosed this at the Food+Forum, during the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78), in New York City, emphasised the pivotal role of climate change in exacerbating hunger and highlighted importance of building resilient food systems capable of withstanding its impacts.
The session served as a pivotal platform for international community to engage in constructive dialogue, collaborate on innovative solutions, and pave way for a more secure and sustainable global food and water future.
The event highlights the commitment of the United Nations and its partners to confront the pressing challenges confronting the planet’s food systems.
Partner at Acre Venture Partners, Sam Kass, disclosed that intra-Africa trade in food currently stands at 15 per cent, showcasing untapped potential for the continent to achieve self-sufficiency and foster food product trade.
Kass, who emphasised urgency of addressing climate change, warned on the imminent risks to global food stability and security, noting that the consequences, include food scarcity, political instability, forced migration, and conflicts, all stemming from the decline of essential commodities.
Aside from the two pivotal panels under the session– ‘Tilling the Future: Transformational Solutions in Agriculture’ and ‘Reviving the Earth: Regenerative Agriculture and a Sustainable Future’, where esteemed speakers dissected, other key topics include the resilience of agriculture and fishing industries in the face of climate change, and the vulnerability of global food and water systems during times of conflict.
