COMESA ministers approve plan to cushion food sector from Covid-19
In their 7th virtual joint meeting, ministers from COMESA member countries adopted a Covid-19 Food Security Response Plan to help the region deal with the impact of the pandemic.
The meeting -- which was attended by ministers responsible for agriculture, environment and natural resources -- discussed how the pandemic will destabilize food security, calling for resource mobilization to prop up the food sector.
From the meeting, it was agreed that COMESA supports agricultural research to develop, transfer and disseminate technologies, innovations, and management practices that are climate-resilient, market-responsive, suited to assorted agro-ecological contexts and end-user preferences in the region.
“We commit ourselves to supporting smallholder farmers to increase production and productivity, through access to inputs, services and improved technologies including seeds, planting materials, fertilizer, veterinary products and animal feeds,” the Ministers said.
COMESA Secretary General Chileshe Kapwepwe pointed to the need for more efforts effectively address the challenges of climate change, transboundary plant pest and animal diseases, and degradation of natural resources.
"We need to build the resilience of our agriculture and agri-food systems as well as ecosystems for greater functionality and efficiency. This will also call for adoption of comprehensive approach to early warning, disaster preparedness and response including social protection & safety net systems,” she said.
Kapwepwe called on the ministers to look at opening up markets and enhancing trade in safe agricultural and food commodities in the region and in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
As part of efforts to boost sustainable agricultural productivity, the Secretariat has supported member states to adopt Climate Smart Agricultural policies and strategies and implementation of the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) through technical and advisory support.
The Secretariat has also supported the development of livestock and fisheries development through the provision of financial, technical and organizational support in the development and implementation of policies and strategies.
Through its Agency, the Alliance for Commodity Trade in Eastern and Southern Africa (ACTESA), COMESA Secretariat has been working with Member States and partners in harmonizing and domestication of the seed trade regulations to promote cross-border seed trade for increased access to quality seeds by the farmers.
Representatives of partners organization including the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) and the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) among others attended the meeting.
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