Nairobi: Experts in the agricultural sector are advocating for stronger partnerships and knowledge-based solutions to achieve sustainable food security across Africa. The call for collaboration was made during the inaugural Africa Plant Health Systems Forum, organized by CABI, which highlighted the need for a unified approach to plant health to facilitate smoother trade and reduce barriers, fostering food security across the continent.
According to Kenya News Agency, the forum emphasized that plant health issues are intertwined with trade, environmental care, and the livelihoods of millions on the continent. Hon. Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe, Secretary General of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and Chair of the CABI board, stressed the importance of collaboration among African nations, as the continent’s population is expected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050. She underscored the challenges faced by the 33 million small-scale farmers, who are crucial to food production, in dealing with inv
asive species, pests, and climate change impacts.
Kapwepwe advocated for harmonized phytosanitary regulations and plant health protocols to streamline pest management, quarantine measures, and disease control among member states. She highlighted the forum as a significant step in amplifying Africa’s collective voice, aligning with Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area, where plant health is vital for agricultural transformation and trade.
Dr. Morris Akiri, CABI’s Senior Regional Director, Africa, noted the hurdles farmers face, including climate change, pest infestations, and soil degradation. He emphasized the role of partnerships in providing innovative, sustainable solutions like biocontrol methods and integrated pest management strategies. Dr. Eliud Kireger, Director General of the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), added that plant clinics have tangibly improved crop productivity, boosting farmers’ incomes.
Dr. Dennis Rangi, CABI’s Director General in cha
rge of development, pointed out the opportunities in international development to enhance food security and ecosystems’ health. Henk van Duijn, President and CEO of the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), emphasized the forum’s importance in uniting stakeholders and pledged support to scale solutions for Africa’s plant health systems.
In August, CABI supported the African Union’s Plant Health Strategy and Implementation Plan for Africa 2022-2036, launched in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The forum, themed “Knowledge Driven Solutions for Africa’s Plant Health Systems,” brought together representatives from various sectors, underscoring the need for collective action in addressing plant health challenges.