As reflected in the 3rd Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Biennial Review Report launched this year, African countries are severely off track in meeting the objectives of the June 2014 Malabo Declaration. The June 2014 Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation for Shared Prosperity and Improved Livelihoods mobilizes and harmonizes the continent's effort towards making agriculture a priority.

The assessment revealed that only one country (Rwanda) is on track in meeting the 7 commitments of the declaration, which includes among them allocating 10% of public funds to agriculture.

The hesitancy to fund the agricultural sector comes against a background of a food insecure continent facing hunger and famine. It is paradoxical that being agrarian, Agriculture is the backbone of Africa’s economy, yet it is a net food importer. According to AfDB, the continent’s food imports include wheat, sugar, rice, beef, and soybeans; commodities that can be produced on the continent. The recent Russia-Ukrainian war has exposed vulnerabilities of Africa’s major reliance on imported food. The continent is currently feeling the most significant shockwaves of the Russia-Ukraine war due to its heavy reliance on imported wheat.

Thirty percent of Africa’s wheat consumption comes from Russia and Ukraine. Specifically, in Egypt, the two countries (Russia and Ukraine) account for 80% of its wheat import. The global shortage of wheat has led to a sharp price hike signaling a looming crisis such as civil unrest for low-income countries.

Price hikes of staple food such as bread have previously led to riots in countries such as Egypt and triggered revolutions such as one that led to the ouster of the longtime dictator in Sudan, Omar al Bashir. Russia is also a major supplier of fertilizer; a critical agro-input.

The Russian-Ukrainian crisis compounds the food and energy crisis caused by post-pandemic market imbalances and supply chain pressure. In addition, it is a stark reality that Africa is also facing an increasing threat of climate change on health, food, and water security. In recent times, the continent has experienced devastating floods in South Africa, desert locust invasion in Ethiopia and a drought in South Sudan. Climate change has had a catastrophic impact on agriculture engendering plummeting food availability and access owing to food production shortage. All these factors portend looming far-reaching and lasting consequences on a continent already facing acute hunger.

Africa is characterized as land abundant; therefore, land endowment is not a constraint for agricultural development. It is estimated that approximately 52% of the world’s arable land is on the continent. The extent, distribution and exploitation of land have been identified as fundamental influencing factors on agricultural development paths and poverty reduction .

Upset of the eco-system such as over-extraction from natural water resources have led to drought and unsustainable agricultural practices to soil erosion. Ultimately leading to food shortage. We have been unable to adopt farming systems and policies to shape an economic system to suit our continent’s natural resources.

Our leaders’ staggering commitment to invest in agriculture and implementation of ineffective policy in agriculture, trade and investment is a threat to the socio-economic development of the continent.

Responding to rising food concerns, in a bid to thwart inflation and protect local food supplies, countries will apply food protectionist policies, further worsening food insecurity. Africa must therefore look within its food basket to feed its people.

How can our leaders capitalize on AfCTA to boost agriculture and consequently food security in the continent?

The agreement has the potential of lifting millions of Africans out of poverty and end food insecurity. Between 2015-2017, trade between African countries was only 2% compared to Intra-European 67%, Intra-Asian 61% and 47% in the Americas. Intra-African trade in agriculture lies below 20%.

This agreement will create the world’s largest free trading area removing tariff and non-tariff barriers on goods and products. African countries should take advantage of The Framework for Boosting Intra-African Trade in Agricultural Commodities and Services launched to bolster Intra-African trade in agriculture.

African countries must support small holder farmers who dominate Africa’s agriculture. These farmers are ironically also among the poorest. Governments should provide supportive incentives and policy reforms for farmers. Land tenure systems should also be reformed to help youth and women to own land and engage in lucrative commercial farming.

Small holder farmers' engagement is imperative in transforming agriculture in Africa. Additionally, Governments should create different enabling factors such as financing relevant policies to support climate-smart agriculture for sustainability in the continent.

Post-harvest loss plagues the continents and this is a waste of valuable food, land, water, labor, and inputs utilized to produce. Training is necessary for farmers on how to improve post-harvest handling methods.

There is an inextricable link between Africa’s economic prosperity and the agricultural sector’s performance. About two thirds of the continent's workforce is employed in the agricultural sector and the sector contributes to between 30 to 60 percent of each country’s GDP as well as 30% of exports.

Africa’s reliance on nature is a source of vulnerability and the agricultural sector is susceptible to shocks. Bold steps need to be undertaken by our leaders to expedite much-needed transformation to harness the potential of our natural endowment. Urgent concerted continental effort and coalesced commitment to meeting the objectives of the June 2014 Malabo Declaration is essential.