By Fred Kajjubi
President Yoweri Museveni has urged African countries to take the lead in tackling food insecurity through sustainable development. Speaking through Prime Minister Robina Nabanja at the opening of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program Summit in Munyonyo, Kampala, Museveni emphasized the need for Africa to stop relying on food imports from overseas.
Museveni noted that it’s shameful that over 60% of Africa’s population is engaged in agriculture, yet the continent still imports food. He also highlighted the staggering over $100 billion spent on food imports annually, stressing the need to end this trend.
To address food insecurity, Museveni advised African countries to take action by changing food and nutrition laws to support sustainable development, investing in modern seed research to improve crop yields, fighting crop and animal diseases to reduce losses, and investing in modern agriculture to increase efficiency and productivity.
The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Frank Tumwebaze, reminded the gathering that Africa has less than 40 years to achieve the 2063 African Goals. The conference, which brought together experts from 44 African countries, aims to find solutions to the continent’s food security challenges.
Ministers from 43 countries will meet to discuss the issues, and presidents will convene on Saturday to pass resolutions on the agreed-upon actions.
The State Minister of Animal Industry, Bright Rwamirama, outlined the benefits of the three-day conference, which is expected to yield meaningful solutions to Africa’s food insecurity challenges.
