The Pan-African Farmers’ Organization (PAFO) has raised concerns over the inefficiency of agricultural commitments in Africa, calling for urgent reforms to ensure better budget allocation, farmer inclusion, and targeted funding.
Speaking to AgroNigeria in an exclusive interview, PAFO President Ibrahima Coulibaly stressed that despite policy commitments like the Maputo and Malabo Declarations, Africa’s agricultural sector remains underfunded and mismanaged. He noted that while many governments pledged to allocate 10% of their national budgets to agriculture, most have failed to meet this target, and even where funds are provided, they often bypass rural farmers—the backbone of food production.
Coulibaly emphasized the need for a governance shift, arguing that African agriculture must move beyond government-led policies that exclude key stakeholders. Unlike other regions where farmers, NGOs, and the private sector play a central role in policy implementation, Africa’s smallholder farmers remain sidelined, with little access to investment, training, or credit. PAFO, he stated, is working to change this by pushing for the full integration of farmers’ organizations into decision-making processes.
On the implementation of the Kampala Declaration, Coulibaly highlighted the need to empower farmers to benefit from agro-industrial processing and economic growth. He stressed that agriculture must be positioned as a structured and profitable sector that provides employment for rural youth, helping to curb migration and economic instability.
Addressing challenges to the 2026-2035 agricultural strategy, he pointed to the lack of accountability and effective monitoring systems. Without strict enforcement mechanisms, he warned, governments would continue to fall short on their commitments. He called for transparent governance structures that ensure agricultural funds reach rural communities and for tracking systems that assess not just financial allocations but the quality and impact of investments.
On intra-African trade, Coulibaly criticized the bureaucratic and logistical barriers limiting seamless trade across the continent. He urged African leaders to open borders, improve transport infrastructure, and eliminate corrupt practices at trade checkpoints to maximize the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
To reduce post-harvest losses, he called for a major restructuring of agricultural value chains. Instead of forcing smallholder farmers to scale up into large commercial farms, he advocated for cooperatives, processing hubs, and structured market systems. Using Côte d’Ivoire’s cocoa industry as an example, he explained that small farmers could thrive when provided with access to efficient aggregation and processing networks. He also emphasized the need for financing models that support cold storage, transportation, and processing infrastructure.
Coulibaly concluded by stressing that Africa’s agricultural transformation requires more than policies—it needs action. He reaffirmed PAFO’s commitment to ensuring that farmers are at the center of decision-making, investments reach rural communities, and governments are held accountable for their promises.