Kampala, Uganda – January 10, 2025: In a significant move to advance African agriculture, the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) and the Pan-African Farmers Organization (PAFO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the CAADP-3.0 Summit in Kampala. This partnership aims to address key issues in agricultural development, emphasizing the central role of farmers in transforming the continent’s food systems.
The MoU signing ceremony marked the conclusion of a PAFO-led side event titled “Putting Farmers at the Center of CAADP-3.0 Implementation.” The event brought together stakeholders to discuss how to empower farmers and ensure their voices guide agricultural policies and interventions.
Farmers at the Heart of Agricultural Progress
During a panel discussion, Prof. Oluwole Fatunbi, Acting Director of Research and Innovation at FARA, highlighted the pivotal role of farmers in Africa’s agricultural and food systems transformation. Prof. Fatunbi outlined several critical benchmarks for measuring the success of the CAADP-3.0 agenda, including:
- Profitability and Sustainability: Enhancing farmers’ business enterprises and livelihoods.
- Quality of Life: Improving the overall well-being of farmers.
- Proactive Engagement: Encouraging farmers to lead and demand the outputs they need from research and development actors.
“Africa’s farmers must move from being passive participants to proactive leaders in agricultural development,” Prof. Fatunbi asserted. He emphasized the need for farmer organizations to take the initiative in articulating their challenges and driving the agenda for solutions. “Farmers have the right to demand the technologies they need and should not wait to be engaged but should actively engage others.”
Lessons from CAADP’s Past and a Vision for CAADP-3.0
Reflecting on the previous phases of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) agenda, participants called for a more robust and efficient implementation framework for CAADP-3.0. Delays in structuring proper modalities have hindered progress in the past, and stakeholders agreed that Africa’s agricultural challenges cannot afford to wait.
Prof. Fatunbi reiterated that the success of CAADP-3.0 depends on learning from past experiences and ensuring farmers’ needs remain central to the program’s design and execution.
A Partnership for Change
The partnership between FARA and PAFO signals a commitment to building a farmer-centered agricultural future for Africa. By working together, the organizations aim to create actionable pathways to enhance the profitability, sustainability, and quality of life for African farmers while addressing systemic challenges in agriculture.
The collaboration underscores the urgency of transforming Africa’s agriculture and food systems to meet the continent’s aspirations. As CAADP-3.0 takes shape, the active leadership and engagement of Africa’s farmers will be crucial in achieving its vision of a prosperous agricultural sector.
Call to Action
With the signing of this MoU, FARA and PAFO have set the stage for a collaborative approach to addressing the pressing issues in African agriculture. Stakeholders are encouraged to join this movement to ensure that Africa’s farmers are not only at the table but leading the discussions and decisions that will shape the future of the continent’s agriculture.
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How do FARA and PAFO’s alliance contribute to transforming agriculture in Africa?