Agroecology is driving the African Union Commission's food security policies as it calls for increased investments in the sector so that it generates employment opportunities for a growing youth population
Announced during the recently held Africa Regional Youth Summit on Agroecology and the Future of Africa's Food Systems in Kampala, this move will address the continent's food systems to reduce import dependency.
Haile Abebe of the African Union's Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) who spoke during the summit highlighted the commercial significance of agriculture and how it can be more that just a tool for subsistence.
“Agriculture is no longer simply about producing food. It is about science, technology, entrepreneurship, finance, digital innovation, logistics, processing, manufacturing, trade, climate resilience and value addition,” Abebe said.
With the right skills and technology, alongside financial means and market access, Africa's predominantly youth population can be channelised towards the region's wider agrifood sector. Prioritising the transformation of agrifood systems requires advancing agroecology.
“Agroecology can be part of this solution. It opens opportunities for young people across the agrifood system - from soil health, seeds and bio-inputs to irrigation, digital agriculture, processing, packaging, logistics, green energy and market development,” said Abebe.
Other opportunities include organic and bio-fertiliser production, ecological seed systems, agroforestry, water conservation, food processing, packaging and marketing.
African Union promotes agroecology to drive investments
Agroecology can be the solution to food security.
