AFAAS URGED TO PUSH AFRICA EXTENSION POLICY AGENDA -AUC COMMISSIONER

The African Forum for Agriculture Advisory Services, (AFAAS) has been tasked to fast track a continental agriculture extension policy agenda to support implementation of the new CAADP  Kampala declaration. The call was made by the African union commissioner for the department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (AUDRBE) His Excellency Moses  Valakati. While meeting the AFAAS Executive Director Dr Lilian Kidula Lihasi in Kigali recently.

The commissioner noted that Africa agriculture extension required a lot of focus as it is the backbone of sustainable agriculture and main link between the farmer and policymakers.

“AUC is interested in working with institutions that can deliver on a continental promise by taking tangible actions. I therefore urge AFAAS to work with the Commission to develop and deliver on a continental AEAS policy and agenda. Said His Excellency, Moses Vilakati.

Dr Llilan Kidula Lihasi appreciated the African Union Commission for its long partnership with the AFAAS through a signed memorandum of understanding, which mandates AFAAS bring together and anchor policy issues that affect agriculture extension and further to develop an Action Plan and submit to the AUC, that can be reviewed every year.

“Agriculture Extension and Advisory Services have massive potential to deliver the needed impact in the food systems transformation, and yet member states still do not give it priority funding as expected, its our prayer now that, working with the Commission, we push for increased funding and value towards agriculture extension across Africa.” Said Dr Liliam kidula Lihasi.

 At the meeting, attended by AFAAS board members and team members from both institutions, the Commissioner reechoed the need to strengthen partnerships and build strong organizations that will drive Africa’s agenda ahead.

“As a commission, we want to work with strategic allies such as AFAAS to support our African union commission agenda, this includes Support to agricultural commodity import substitution for key food commodities such as Maize, Rice, wheat, in the regional blocks. This is aimed at ensuring food self-reliance in Africa. And also to Create Soil Maps. To achieve this, we are  interested in working with institutions that can deliver on a continental promise, by doing tangible actions” Said the Commissioner

Dr Patience Rwamigisa , a commissioner for agriculture Extension at the Uganda ministry of agriculture and a board member at AFAAS further asked Commissioner Moses Valakati to introduce AFAAS to the member states, as a technical arm of the AUC on AEAS. This would be a great step towards pushing for a stronger Africa agriculture extension and advisory service policy.

“The value of extension is still downplayed, Yet this is the main linkage to actualization of Africa agriculture development, as AFAAS we belive that we need to go deeper to push for member states to institutionalize commitment to both AUC and AFAAS, this will help track investment in agriculture extension. We wish to convene ministers of agriculture, permanent secretaries and foreign affairs to a gathering to enable them commit.” Adds Dr Rwamigisa. 

Afaas Communication Team: