Experts in the Agricultural sector want African states to strengthen partnerships and knowledge driven solutions towards greater sustainable food security in the continent.
The experts who met during the inaugural Africa Plant Health Systems Forum organized by CABI fronted for a unified approach to plant health to facilitate smoother movement of goods and reduce trade barriers towards enhancing food security across the region.
The experts noted that for food security to be realized, plant health extends beyond agricultural issues to encompass trade, environmental stewardship, and the livelihoods of millions across the continent.
Speaking during the meeting, Chief Guest Hon. Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe, who is the Secretary General of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and Chair of the CABI board said with the population Africa expected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050 collaboration in increasing food safety through trade among member countries was critical.
She said the 33 million small-scale farmers who account for at least 90 percent of food production in some sub-Saharan African countries, face a multitude of challenges to secure livelihoods and food security including invasive species, crop pests, and diseases, which are exacerbated by the impact of climate change.
“At COMESA, we understand that safeguarding plant health is vital not only for boosting agricultural productivity but also for enhancing intra-regional trade and economic integration,” said Kapwepwe.
She emphasized on the need for phytosanitary regulations and plant health protocols that harmonize pest management efforts, quarantine measures, and disease control across member states.
“A unified approach to plant health enables smoother movement of goods, reduces trade barriers, and enhances food security across the region,” she noted.
Kapwepwe said the forum serves as an important step toward enhancing Africa’s collective voice on the issues, aligning with the broader goals of Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area, where plant health is integral to agricultural transformation and trade.
Kapwepwe reiterated that COMESA, along with Regional Economic Communities (RECs) like the East African Community (EAC), Southern African Development Community (SADC), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), promotes harmonized policies, coordinated actions, and regulatory alignment to address plant health.
Dr Morris Akiri, CABI’s Senior Regional Director, Africa, said climate change, pest infestations such as the fall armyworm which in Africa alone is estimated to cause 8 to 20 million tonnes of maize losses each year, soil degradation, and limited access to resources are a few of the hurdles smallholder farmers encounter daily.
“Smallholder farmers often lack the tools, knowledge, and support needed to combat these issues effectively,” he said adding that CABI has been working in agricultural and the environmental sectors designed to empower farmers and communities, providing them with the knowledge and resources they need to thrive.
“Through partnerships, we leverage our expertise in research and data to develop innovative solutions, including biocontrol methods and integrated pest management strategies that are environmentally friendly and sustainable,” Akiri said.
Dr Eliud Kireger, Director General of the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), said Kenya Plant has established hundreds of plant clinics, where farmers, guided by plant doctors, can receive real-time plant health advice and access vital information.
Through this, he added there has been a tangible improvement in crop productivity, enhancing the incomes of farming communities.
Dr. Kireger said that by working in partnerships with CABI and others, such as KEPHIS, National Museums of Kenya, KEFRI, Universities and local county governments who have directly contributed to safeguarding Kenya’s food security but KALRO has tackled some of the most pressing plant health issues facing farmers, including the desert locust.
“Through continued collaboration with partners like CABI and others in the region, we will be able to meet the growing challenges of plant health and food security. Our focus must remain on fostering innovation, ensuring sustainability, and building resilience in our food systems’. Kireger said
Dr Dennis Rangi, CABI’s Director General in charge of development said there are immense opportunities within international development and that growing recognition of plant health as a critical component of sustainable agriculture opens doors for innovative partnerships and funding avenues.
“By capitalizing on this momentum, we can drive impactful projects that enhance food security, improve livelihoods, and contribute to the overall health of our ecosystems,” Dr. Rangi said.
Henk van Duijn, President and CEO of the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), also in attendance, emphasized the importance of the forum, noting its timely focus on uniting diverse stakeholders across the entire plant system.
He pledged IFDC’s support to build and grow the forum to ensure the scaling of solutions for Africa’s plant health systems.
In August this year CABI pledged its support for the Plant Health Strategy and the Implementation Plan for Africa 2022-2036 as it was launched by the African Union Inter-African Phytosanitary Council (AU-IAPSC) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
The inaugural African Plant Health Systems Forum whose theme was “Knowledge Driven Solutions for Africa’s Plant Health Systems,” brings together representatives from CABI’s African Member Countries, including government, development, research, farmer and private sector/industry.
By Wangari Ndirangu
