Former President, Goodluck Jonathan, has advocated a shift in perception that agriculture is a rural development programme. He said it should be seen as a wealth creation initiative.
Jonathan, who stated this during a session, titled: “Council of the Wise – Intergenerational Conversation with Wise Leaders,” during the AGRF Summit in Tanzania, highlighted the crucial synergy between effective policies and technological advancements. He also stressed the importance of technology and innovation to boost intra-African trade to realise the 2030 agenda.
The dialogue focused primarily on strategies to advance agriculture and food systems throughout the continent. The leaders underscored the critical role of innovation, technology, and progressive policies in driving this advancement.
In his opening remarks, the former President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Jakaya Kikwete, emphasised the need to transform agriculture into a thriving business. He called for increased private sector participation, particularly, in production and processing, to bolster the agricultural value chain.
The session also opened debates on strategies for addressing Africa’s agricultural challenges. Their collective wisdom and extensive experience underscored the pressing need for innovative solutions, youth engagement, and robust leadership to achieve sustainable food systems and fulfill Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) commitments.
Similarly, the African leaders, during the summit, expressed determination to establish Africa’s stance on food systems, foster cross-country collaborations, and develop actionable plans and long-term initiatives to attract investments, including from the private sector.
Their ultimate goal was to create a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive food system across the continent. The Chief Executive Officer of the African Union Development Agency, Ms. Nardos Bekele-Thomas, emphasised the critical role played by nutritious foods, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, and dietary diversity in combating malnutrition.
President of Global Growth and Opportunity Development at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Mr. Rodgers Voorhees, drew attention to the potential of increased investment in innovation and underscored the importance of focusing on women and girls as central figures in the pursuit of the third wave of poverty reduction.
Minister of International Development in Norway, Anne Beathe Tvinnereim expressed the need to examine existing technologies and lessons learned, bearing in mind that there are seven years remaining until the target year of 2030.
