AGRA Prez calls for bold action to transform Africa’s food systems

Dr. Agnes Kalibata, President of AGRA Ghana, has urged African leaders to take bold and immediate steps to address the continent’s food security challenges. Speaking at the Centre for African Leaders in Agriculture (CALA) Leadership Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, Dr. Kalibata emphasized that urgent reforms are necessary to improve food production, distribution, and access across Africa.

The CALA Leadership Forum, part of AGRA’s Africa’s Food Systems Forum 2024, brought together approximately 5,000 delegates to discuss strategies for creating sustainable, resilient, and equitable food systems. The event, themed “From Local Fields to Global Impact: Leading Food System Innovation in a Digital and Climate Era,” aimed to equip delegates with actionable strategies to drive food system innovations amid digital advancements and climate challenges.

Dr. Kalibata highlighted the critical role of agriculture in many African economies and stressed that modernizing food systems could significantly boost agricultural productivity, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth. She underscored the need for comprehensive reforms to reduce reliance on food imports and enhance self-sufficiency.

The forum provided practical insights and strategies for delegates from various sectors, including government, civil society, and the private sector. Participants had the opportunity to engage with top innovators and explore advanced agricultural technologies. Dr. Kalibata emphasized the importance of action learning principles to address real-world food system challenges and encouraged young people to become proactive problem solvers.

Jonathan Said, Vice President of the Centre for Technical Expertise at AGRA, supported Dr. Kalibata’s call for action. He stressed the need to close the leadership gap in agricultural and food systems transformation and empower key actors with the tools needed to lead innovation and implement effective solutions. Said described AGRA as an African-led institution dedicated to transforming agriculture from a struggle for survival into a thriving business, with a focus on smallholder farmers.

The CALA Leadership Forum served as a platform to inspire delegates to initiate impactful projects that contribute to the transformation of Africa’s food systems. The event underscored the urgent need for bold leadership and innovative approaches to ensure a secure and resilient food future for the continent.