By Denis Jjuuko
Ouagadougou: If we need agriculture to attract African politicians, it needs to be seen as an issue that can win them votes according to Boaz Blackie Keizire, the Technical Advisor/CAADP Implementation Specialist at the African Union Commission. Keizire was addressing the media at a press conference ahead of the CAADP Day that took place in Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso.
“Politicians need to see the agricultural sector as an election issue. When people are demanding infrastructural development like roads, agriculture should be included,” he said.
“When agriculture is people-demanded, then the politicians who run the government will put in place programmes that lead to 6% agricultural growth and commit 10% of their budgets to the sector.”
Keizire challenged the media to play a key role. “How can we use agriculture as a champion in raising the politician’s profile?” he asked.
