A prominent Ugandan media specialist, Grace Musimami has called on journalists to ensure that that they cascade pertinent information on Agriculture from continental and regional levels, right through to farmers at country level. 

Mr Musimami was speaking during the joint launch of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and African Union publication - Agriculture in Africa in Durban, South Africa.

The publication in French and English, defines the key priorities and opportunities to advance agriculture. It is developed within the context of sustaining the the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development (CAADP) momentum and to inform decisions on key issues that will drive agriculture into to the next decade. It reflects debate and consultations going on with regard to two key themes, Agenda 2063 and Post 2015 Agenda.

The book launch took place on the side-lines of the CAADP Partnership Platform (PP) meeting, an annual multi-sector forum of stakeholders in African agriculture. Delegates have been taking stock of the impact of CAADP in the last ten years and determine the direction in which the Programme will take in the next decade. This year also marks the 10^th Anniversary of CAADP.

Mr Grace Musimami, Agriculture Media Specialist from Uganda, “Media  need to ensure that they cascade pertinent information from continental and regional levels, right through to farmers at country level.”

NEPAD Chief Executive Dr Ibrahim Mayaki stressed the importance of the publication, which has been given impetus by Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission. He said that the Agriculture in Africa book opens up the space for wider public debate in bringing together the commonalities within different national and regional agricultural plans in defining the fifty year vision for Africa.

Speaking at the same event, the AU Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture Mrs Tumusiime Rhoda Peace called for more African publications and research that are needed in shaping the future of the African continent. This, she said, will go a long way towards increasing agricultural productivity, especially if such research speaks to the needs of farmers and producers.

Launch of the Agriculture in Africa publication

The media briefing at the launch by Dr Mayaki heard that 50 out of 54 countries in Africa are using the CAADP structure in agricultural planning. Prior to 2003, agriculture was not seen as a top priority in development planning in Africa.

Although numerous challenges still persist, such as low productivity, access to infrastructure, land and credit, CAADP has contributed to making agriculture the top-most priority in Africa’s development.  

To access the publication go to:

English : http://goo.gl/GoXw1d 

• French : http://goo.gl/PRXG12