By Ify Mgbemena
Dr. Babafemi Oyewole, CEO of the Panafrican Farmers Organisation (PAFO) has underscored a paradigm shift from agriculture‑led growth to agrifood systems approach where farmers are co‑implementers rather than mere beneficiaries.
Africa’s agriculture sector is poised for a transformative shift as Heads of State adopt the Kampala CAADP Declaration on Building Resilient and Sustainable Agrifood Systems.
Launched in January 2025 at an AU Extraordinary Summit in Uganda, the Declaration builds on two decades of CAADP implementation first in Maputo (2003) and renewed in Malabo (2014) and sets ambitious targets for 2035, including a 45 percent boost in agrifood output, tripled intra‑African trade, and halving extreme poverty.
Yet recent shocks from COVID‑19 to climate‑driven floods, droughts and pest outbreaks have exposed the fragility of gains made so far.
Speaking at the Kampala summit, Oyewole said the Declaration marks a paradigm shift from agriculture‑led growth to a holistic agrifood systems approach in which farmers are co‑implementers rather than mere beneficiaries.
He highlighted that scaling up mechanization, improved seeds and fertilizers will only drive productivity if farmers adopt these innovations alongside sustainable land and water management practices.
Dr. Oyewole explained that delivering on food security and nutrition goals requires growers to diversify their crops, reduce post‑harvest losses through better storage and handling, and strengthen local food systems especially where the most vulnerable live.
He added that inclusive governance will hinge on farmers engaging through cooperatives and civil society platforms to ensure accountability for CAADP investments and to shape national agriculture plans that reflect on‑the‑ground realities.
Climate resilience, he noted, is equally critical. By championing agroecological techniques, participating in community early‑warning networks and embracing risk‑management tools like crop insurance, smallholders can buffer future shocks.
Dr. Oyewole also stressed the importance of empowering women and youth through peer‑to‑peer mentorship, agripreneurship support and targeted networks, aligning with the Declaration’s commitment to social inclusion and equitable livelihoods.
Data generated by farmers on yields, soil conditions and local climate patterns will feed evidence‑based decision‑making and monitoring under CAADP’s new Strategy and Action Plan (2026–2035).
As PAFO, Dr. Oyewole pledged to mobilize members for domesticating the Kampala Declaration, advocate for supportive policies at national and regional levels, and lead monitoring and evaluation efforts to ensure Africa’s ambition for a resilient, inclusive and prosperous agrifood system becomes reality.
