AU unveils CAADP Action Plan 2035

The African Union has unveiled an ambitious Strategy and Action Plan for 2026-2035, following the signing of the Kampala CAADP Declaration. Dr. Godfrey Bahiigwa, Director of Agriculture and Rural Development at the AU Commission, outlined the key objectives and strategies to drive investments into Africa's agricultural sector. The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) has been guiding investments into the agricultural sector for the past 21 years, starting in Maputo, Mozambique, in 2003. The program aims to enhance food security, reduce poverty, create jobs for youth, build resilient food systems, and improve the livelihoods of African farmers. One of the central goals of the new CAADP blueprint is to mobilize $100 billion over a 10-year period to lift agrifood output by 45 per cent, triple intra-African trade in farm goods, and halve post-harvest losses. Dr. Bahiigwa emphasized the importance of this funding, highlighting that the average allocation per country amounts to $200 million per year. While this figure may seem substantial, it is essential for member states to mobilize additional resources to achieve the outlined targets. The plan also includes enforcing the 10 percent rule, requiring at least 10 percent of public spending to be allocated to agriculture annually. Despite the ongoing efforts, countries have struggled to meet this target, with no country achieving the goal by 2023. However, the target serves as a vital aspiration to boost investments in agriculture and yield better results from agro-food systems across the continent. Climate change and external shocks pose significant challenges to Africa's agricultural sector. The new CAADP plan aims to improve resilience against these factors by increasing agricultural production through the adoption of climate-smart technologies, agro-industrialization, and mechanization. Additionally, the plan calls for better access to high-quality seeds and fertilizers at affordable prices to support smallholder farmers while strengthening the African market. To enhance regional integration and value chain development, countries are encouraged to collaborate based on common agroecological zones. By investing collectively in production and trade corridors, countries can generate larger volumes to attract private sector investment in agroindustrialization. This strategy not only fosters higher value products but also creates employment opportunities, particularly for the youth. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play a crucial role in processing and logistics within the agricultural sector. Incentives such as supportive public policies and regulations are essential to attract SMEs into storage, packaging, and other aspects of agro-food systems. Ensuring a consistent and conducive policy environment is key to incentivizing private sector investment in agri-food systems for sustainable growth and development. In conclusion, the AU's CAADP Action Plan 2035 aims to transform Africa's agricultural landscape by driving investments, increasing production, enhancing regional cooperation, and promoting sustainable agro-industrialization to achieve food security, reduce post-harvest losses, and create economic opportunities for African farmers and youth.