Rising demand for food in Africa can serve as an engine for economic development and improved nutrition across the continent. But for that to happen the region’s governments must invest more in developing their agri-industrial bases and boosting intracontinental trade in agricultural products, FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva said.
Food imports to Africa have been rising for a number of decades, helping drive consumers towards less nutritious diets and contributing to higher levels of obesity — while at the same time limiting economic opportunities for domestic food producers, noted Graziano da Silva in remarks made at an event on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
Pointing out that the value of Africa’s food market is expected to more than triple in value by 2030 to $1 trillion annually, he said that in addition to core investments, the enhanced regional trade would be vital in unlocking opportunities for African food producers and processors in the future.
With this potential engine for sustainable development in mind, in March 2018 regional governments announced their intention to establish an Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) aimed at creating an integrated market accounting for an overall GDP of $3 trillion and encompassing some 1.3 billion consumers. So far, 49 African governments have signed on to the initiative.
“Agro-industrialization enables Africa to preserve its seasonal and abundant fruits and vegetables to be available all over the year”, said FAO’s Director-General, adding: “Agro-industrial development that connects family farmers, herders and fisher folks to rewarding markets can create opportunities for young people, stimulate greener practices throughout the food system and deliver healthier and safer food to consumers.”
FAO is working with the African Union Commission (AUC) to support enhanced agricultural and food trade in a variety of ways, including the development of the Union’s Agribusiness Strategy. And FAO is working with a wide range of partners on the Accelerator for Agriculture and Agro-industry Development and Innovation (3ADI+) initiative, which is working to develop inclusive, efficient, sustainable and competitive agriculture and food value chains and market systems across the continent.
Original source: FAO
Published on 26 September 2018
