A meeting focusing on advancing the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Pillar IV in the COMESA region was held in Nairobi in collaboration with Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) and the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Southern Africa (ASARECA).

The meeting focused on various issues including the modalities and progress in incorporating FARA initiatives in the CAADP Round Table process; discussing the role of CAADP Pillar IV to the overall implementation of CAADP and the role of Centres of Excellence for selected agricultural commodities and Pillar lead institutions in the CAADP agenda.

The meeting noted that agricultural productivity in Africa has been stagnant and is faced with many challenges. Producers of maize for example, which is a major staple in the region, realize only an average of 1.3 tonnes per hectare compared to the world average of 5 tonnes per hectare. Poor infrastructure, low adoption of modern technologies, unfavorable external markets and institutional weaknesses were cited as some other reasons contributing to low productivity levels.

The major task under Pillar IV of CAADP is to ensure that the 420 million people in the COMESA region remain food secure through the use of modern agricultural technologies, improved crop varieties and livestock breeds, relevant agricultural training programmes and effective farmer support mechanisms. By the end of the meeting, it was agreed that Centres of Excellence in agricultural research in the COMESA region should be established to enhance crop production.

The meeting also called for the fast tracking of the CAADP process in respective countries. The meeting was attended by senior delegates from the COMESA region, FARA, ASARECA, WB, NEPAD, SADC and Australia. It was officially opened by Dr. Ephraim Mukisira on behalf of Kenyan Minister of Agriculture Hon. William Ruto. COMESA Investment Promotion and Private Sector Development director Dr. Chungu Mwila represented COMESA Secretary General Sindiso Ngwenya.

Meanwhile, given the importance of markets in motivating producers and raising productivity, the COMESA CAADP team held productive sessions with the Australian delegation with a view for the Australian team to support COMESA”S pillar II activities (markets development programmes)