KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda’s Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has called on African leaders to prioritize self-reliance in the continent’s agricultural sector, emphasizing the need to reduce dependence on food imports.
Nabbanja made the remarks while opening the African Union Extraordinary Assembly of Ministers of Agriculture, where she urged leaders to take bold steps to transform the sector.
“Africa is endowed with vast natural resources, fertile soils, and arable land, yet we spend billions of dollars on food imports annually,” Nabbanja said. “This is unacceptable and must change. We must strive for self-reliance in our agricultural sector.”
The Prime Minister emphasized that achieving self-reliance would require a multifaceted approach, including policy reforms, investment in research and development, and the adoption of climate-resilient agricultural practices.
She also highlighted the importance of regional cooperation and the need for African countries to work together to achieve common goals.
“The African Continental Free Trade Area presents a unique opportunity for us to work together to boost intra-African trade and cooperation,” Nabbanja said. “We must seize this opportunity to create a more integrated and self-reliant agricultural sector.”
The African Union Extraordinary Assembly of Ministers of Agriculture is expected to produce actionable strategies for achieving self-reliance in Africa’s agricultural sector, including plans to increase agricultural productivity, improve food security, and promote regional trade and cooperation.
The outcomes of the meeting will be presented at the Assembly of Heads of State and Government for final approval.
