Ministers of Agriculture, environment and natural rresources in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa have adopted cross-cutting strategies to advance agriculture and food security, sustainable development and management of the environment in the region.
In a 15-point-declaration made on 24th November during a virtue 8th Joint meeting of the ministers under the theme: ”Building Resilience Through Strategic Digital Economic Integration” the countries note the effects of climate change and other and pledged to effectively partner in enhancing the resilience to bolster the dwarfed growth.
Information on resolutions made and availed to FRA indicate that the ministers pledged to develop and implement National Agriculture and Food Security Investments Plans (NAIPS) that are aligned to the 2014 Malabo Declaration.
All member states to integrate the Malabo commitment into both their national development plans and the NAIPS and allocate more resources to support the implementation the implementation of the plans.
This will further enhance access to production inputs, services and improved technologies including leveraging digital technologies to drive agriculture and livestock production and productivity.
The virtue meeting of regional ministers, graced by Comesa Secretary General, Chileshe Kapwepwe, further highlighted their resolve to developing and implementing measures promoting and strengthen farmers, fishers, and agro-pastoralists-SMEs and larger firm business linkages for competitive market access and improved trade in agricultural commodities and products
in the region.
There is collective resolve to commit to harnessing the potential of innovative technologies to expand opportunities for youth and women to enhance their gainful engagement in agriculture and natural resource
development.
The ministers seek to commit to promoting and implementing initiatives that contribute to reducing post-harvest losses, improve agriculture commodity aggregation and storage, and enhance competitive access to markets and trade in the region and internationally.
It is a desire by respective countries to work with the Lusaka-based Comesa secretariat to jointly mobilize and commit resources to support the implementation of the COMESA Blue Economy Strategy.
There is an urgent need for Member States and Secretariat to further develop and implement policies, regulations, programmes, and support quality infrastructure development to enhance plant and animal health, improve the quality and safety standards and competitiveness of
agricultural commodities and food products in the region.
“ We undertake to support the development and implementation of the COMESA digital Regional Food Balance Sheet (RFBS) initiative including similar efforts that aim to strengthen agri-food data and information system in our region for informed policy, investment, and trade decisions, and for emergency food and livelihood response in a rapidly changing environment.” reads in part.
The ministers further commit to extending the analysis of National Household Consumption and Expenditure Surveys to cover food security issues in addition to routine poverty analysis.
The Secretariat is anticipated to help mobilise We also resources for the second phase of the COMESA-Statistics Norway Food Security Statistics Project to cover more Member states beyond 2023.
There is recognition and accolade extended to member states for developing applaud Member States that have developed and are implementing actions and interventions to support realization of their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
The member states commit themselves to continue working closely with the Secretariat in the implementation of the climate adaptation and mitigation commitments.
On climate change mitigation, the member states are encouraging developed nations’ parties to provide adequate resources to developing country parties to support effective implementation of the adaptation and mitigation actions and interventions.
The Secretariat is expected to assist in mobilising resources to support the operationalization of the Comesa regional resilience implementation plan to enhance the resilience of the agri-food system and livelihoods of our population.
There is unwavering commitment by member states to developing/expanding national safety net programmes to enhance food security and nutrition and secure livelihoods for our vulnerable population.
There is further commitment to invest in agricultural research to develop, transfer and disseminate technologies, innovations and management practices that are climate-resilient, market-responsive, suited to assorted agro-ecological contexts, and end-user preferred in the region.
The member countries render unwavering commitment to ensure they strengthen intersectional collaboration and partnership with the private sector in planning and implementation of investment projects and programmes that drive inclusive agricultural transformation and sustainable natural resources development and use.
Realising the input of the cooperating partners in reversing the climatic and other effects on the region in recent years, the member states take cognisance of their support in implementing various regional programmes across all sectors.
There is greater recognition of the role of the Food and Agriculture Organisation in support towards the Initiative for Sustainable Transformation (FAST) launched during the Climate Change Conference (COP27).
The initiative, it is envisaged would allow the opportunity to implement tangible procedures that would lead to improved climate action in addition to a quantitative and qualitative contribution for climate finance in order to finance the agri-food systems by 2030.
This is arguably to support the agriculture adaptation and innovation programs; and apply technology in supporting food and economic security; especially for the African states.
The initiative would further be an accelerator for financing the agri-food systems in order to achieve triple gain for people, climate and nature, which would achieve the
sustainable development goals (SDGs).
The COMESA Secretariat and its specialized institutions and agencies are asked to work in close collaboration with its member states, cooperating partners, private sector, and other stakeholders to expedite the implementation of the decisions taken the virtual meeting.
The meeting comes in the context of various shortcomings that have characterized the regional bloc and seek to devise back-up initiative.
This is to avoid further shocks experienced during the COVID 19 era and the recurring climatic change crisis that have short-changed the developments of the region including losses in agriculture sector growth.
The declaration comes in the midst of the regional bloc seeking to. Realign its operations to bolster agricultural production and productivity, strengthen regional agri-food data and information systems and
enhance resilience.
There is a deliberate policy by the continent’s oldest economic bloc to encourage increased access to markets and trade in safe and quality agricultural commodities and products, enhance regional food security and adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change.
This is hoped to build resilience; strive to attain the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of zero poverty and zero hunger by 2030 and take urgent action to combat climate change.
The region remains committed to fulfilling the resolve of the Heads of States and Governments that recognized and put in place the African Union initiated Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Malabo Declaration of 2014.
The declaration, a clarion call for Africa’s sustainable food security, sought to among other objectives promote the Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation for Shared Prosperity and Improved Livelihoods on the continent.
The member states are cognissant of the potential of the blue economy sector seeking to contribute to improved livelihoods, income, food, and nutritional security of the region.
Member states have an obligation to adapt and mitigate the effects of climate change- related shocks including droughts, floods, and cyclones on the wellbeing of our people and to manage green gas emissions, among other obligations.
And Secretary General of COMESA, Chileshe Kapwepwe pledged the economic bloc’s resolve to deploy skills and efforts in designing policies and instruments to hasten agricultural growth, facilitate trade and investment among its Member States and with the rest of the world.
“Driving vibrant, equitable and sustainable agricultural and rural development in our region requires strategic and coordinated investments in social and economic infrastructure,” Ms Kapwepwe added “This is what will enable our rural communities to engage in dynamic and rewarding economic activities.”
Comesa will endeavour to support Member States in policy and strategy development on climate change, review of Nationally Determined Contributions and upscaling Climate Smart Agriculture.
It will promote development of a regional Blue Economy Strategy and the development of the COMESA Regional Guidelines for the Establishment, Operation/Management of Warehouse Receipt System for Agricultural Commodities.
Representatives of cooperating partners of COMESA that shared the virtue meeting include Dr. Appollos Nwafor, (AGRA) Mr Joseph Silavwe (European Union Delegation to Zambia and COMESA) Mr Patrice Talla (Food and Agriculture Organization). The 9th joint meeting of the ministers will be hosted in Egypt next year.
