Sustainable agrifood value chains between Africa and Europe have grown stronger in recent years, with both sides striving to renew their partnerships.
During the roundtable on sustainable agri-food value chains and their impact on society within the framework of the European Union – African Union (EU-AU) summit which took place this Friday, February 18, participants discussed ways improve agri-food value chains and their sustainability on the African continent.
The parties involved presented the varied views of the speakers on what the African continent needs to evolve its agribusiness sector, to which Godfrey Bahiigwa, Director of Agriculture and Rural Development at the AU Commission, said the solution lies in more investment.
In his intervention, Bahiigwa said that “African countries need more public and private sector investors related to agribusiness to support the implementation of policies and strategies”.
The AU official added that the continent also needs trade facilitation, initiatives to empower farmers and tame food security.
Ilias El Fali, adviser to the CEO of Morocco’s Office Cherifien des Phosphates (OCP), explained that “the African continent needs investment, good infrastructure, transfer and quality technological inputs and advanced training of farmers’ knowledge, as the main partners in the sector”.
El Fali further stated that “the sector also requires the commitment of the different parties”in order to translate planning and strategy efforts on the ground.
As for the Director of International Affairs at the European Commission, John Clarke, he added that the African continent needs “4 to 5 levers for improvement, namely infrastructure, energy supply, innovation and digital”.
The director of agricultural technology, international trade of the World Trade Organization, Daniel Azevedo, said that there are many strategies between the European African Unions, and that the two are constantly engaged in discussions.
“The European Union is more involved in the production and consumption of organic food, making it the main importer of raw materials on the African continent, and the two are trading partners”did he declare.
“EU countries are doing well in the agri-food sector but need help, through partnerships with developing countries”he added.
Ilias El Fali said that the African agribusiness sector has great potential, which can easily “Be tripled thanks to personalized fertilizers”as the continent shapes its new development model and evolves the sector.
“The Green Deal was also adopted in order to build an ecosystem that would be zero emissions, limited to fossil fuels and gas free in the future”he added.
According to the OCP Group advisor, sustainability is intrinsic to agricultural performance and food security.
The AU commission’s director of agriculture said the agribusiness sector has little impact on livelihoods, especially for people engaged in agricultural activities on the continent.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us a lesson on how to secure agribusiness and what actions to take to build better partnerships”did he declare.
“Farmers must have access to technological inputs, financing tools, because the main value chains must be fixed for the realization of a sustainable and reliable ecosystem in the sector”the AU official added.
The 6th EU-AU summit began on February 17, with the participation of Morocco, led by Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita.
The summit adopted a joint declaration on a common vision for 2030 aimed at consolidating a renewed partnership for solidarity, security, peace and sustainable development.
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