Africa Agriculture Adaptation Conference Concludes with a New Landmark

C4A PRESS RELEASE:     ENGLISH- EXIT          FRENCH- COMMUNIQUE DE PRESSE

ABUJA, NIGERIA – October 18, 2023:  The Inaugural Conference on Accelerating Agriculture Adaptation in Africa concludes its activity with a joint declaration drawing attention to demands and recommendations for fostering the development of this sector on the continent.

The conference kicked off on October 16, 2023, and sought to galvanize a critical mass of Actors towards accelerated agricultural adaptation, including stimulating smallholder farmers’ proactive engagement in international climate dialogue and intervention processes

In her closing remarks, Prof. Aduabobo Ibitoru Hart, a board member of ScDevNet, commended PACJA for organizing the resourceful and insightful conference and said that the conference has been a sign that Africans can come together and unite for the fight against Climate change.

 “For three days, we have learnt a lot and if PACJA was an academic institution you all would go back home with degrees. Now I Call you for collaboration, coordination for improving on what you are doing in your respective countries by improving your local knowledge and practice in agriculture adaptation”, called Prof. Aduabobo before adding that “It is good to learn but it is better to implement”

Exchanges and presentations during the three days of the conference revolved around the role of Policies and laws governing land and agriculture to enable Africa to come up with an adaptative solution in the sector.

Dr Ndidi Abano, representing the Pan African Parliament disclosed that as the Pan African People’s Assembly, they are in the process of harmonizing laws and policies governing Climate change and provided an example of a model law that was adopted during the recent third Pan African Parliamentary Summit on Climate Policy and Equity. She said that Civil society has a role in driving the agenda and that PACJA has been doing it successfully by bringing together stakeholders for constructive discussions on climate change issues and other connected matters.

Africa’s agriculture is mentioned in the Agenda 2063 of the African Union which states that this sector will be modern and productive, using science, technology, innovation and indigenous knowledge. The programme elaborates that hand hoe will be banished by 2025 and that the sector will be modern, profitable and attractive to the continent’s youths and women.

Samuel Ogallah (PhD) – Senior Climate Change Advisor at the African Union indicated that the conference organized by PACJA and partners is in line with the implementation of the strategy on agricultural adaptation. “This is the beginning and we want to let you know that we are with you on what you are doing. We need to know that Africa is not a continent of Africa is not a continent of 3% Agricultural yield distribution. We need to break this narrative and accelerate agricultural adaptation in Africa”, said Sam Ogalla.

Dr. Augustine Njamnshi, the Chair of the Technical and Political Affairs committee for PACJA specified that the conference was a starting point and suggested that Africans should remain united and hopeful in spite of the challenges they should have. “This Agriculture Adaptation conference will be bi-annual in Africa and we would like to tell you that adaptation finance remains our top priority. It is inhumane and unjust to set fire to someone’s house and send a fire extinguisher” stated Dr. Njamnshi.

The just concluded conference is the first of its kind on the continent addressing the acceleration of agricultural adaptation on the continent. It was organized by PACJA in partnership with the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other partners.

It has brought together Ministries of  Agriculture, UN and AU agencies/departments, and regional economic integration communities dealing with agriculture, smallholder farmers’ organizations (national and regional), agricultural research and policy organizations, academic institutions and think tanks, key policymakers (parliamentarians networks), outstanding women’s associations/start-ups and innovators, youth start-ups and innovators, civil society organizations with agricultural programs, agribusiness (small, micro-enterprises), agricultural financial institutions, faith-based organizations,  private sector, development partners and philanthropies.