By Ify Mgbemena
In a powerful call to action, leading continental and development institutions have reaffirmed their commitment to centering Africa’s farmers especially smallholders, women, and youth in agricultural policy and practice.
This was the focus of a continental webinar on Friday, co-organized by the Pan-African Farmers’ Organisation (PAFO), African Union (AU), AUDA-NEPAD, AKADEMIYA2063, and FARA, under the theme: “Putting the Needs of Africa’s Farmers at the Heart of the Implementation of the CAADP Kampala Declaration.”
Delivering the opening remarks, Dr. Babafemi Oyewole, CEO of PAFO, welcomed participants from across Africa and beyond, noting that while the Kampala Declaration adopted by African Heads of State and Government demonstrates strong political will, the real challenge lies in practical, inclusive, and farmer-driven implementation.
“Declarations alone are not enough,” Dr. Oyewole stressed. “Implementation must be driven by the realities, voices, and aspirations of Africa’s smallholder farmers. They are the backbone of our food systems, the stewards of our environment, and the key to unlocking rural prosperity in Africa.”
The webinar brought together farmers, policymakers, researchers, and development partners to discuss how to align national and regional strategies with the lived realities of farmers. Key issues included access to land, finance, seeds, markets, climate resilience, and youth and gender inclusion.
Dr. Oyewole encouraged participants to go beyond knowledge-sharing and embrace action-oriented collaboration:
“Let us elevate farmers from beneficiaries to active partners and co-creators of the agricultural transformation we all seek.”
As the event concluded, the organizers expressed deep appreciation to all speakers and participants for their active engagement and insightful contributions.
The closing remarks underscored that the CAADP Kampala Declaration is not just a political statement, but a mandate for inclusive transformation with farmers at its core.
Appreciation was also extended to the moderator, technical team, and interpreters who ensured a seamless experience.
PAFO and its co-organizers reiterated that the journey does not end with this webinar, and called for continued commitment, shared accountability, and stronger partnerships to translate the CAADP goals into measurable outcomes for Africa’s farmers.
The next edition of the PAFO Continental Webinar Series is expected to build on this momentum, keeping the voice of the farmer at the centre of Africa’s agricultural future.
