The continent of Africa can feed itself and export the surplus, according to President William Ruto.
He pointed out that the continent must make use of its vast agricultural space.
The President stated that it was time for African nations to collaborate and utilize their untapped resources.
“We must take advantage of the vast arable lands that we have,” he stated.
President Ruto remarked that the continent’s food security will be further increased by favorable weather conditions along with targeted recruitment of young people into the sector.
He was addressing on Thursday in Dar es Salaam at the President Samia Suluhu-hosted Africa Food Systems Forum 2023.
He pointed out that the continent must make use of its vast agricultural space.
The President stated that it was time for African nations to collaborate and utilize their untapped resources.
“We must take advantage of the vast arable lands that we have,” he stated.
President Ruto remarked that the continent’s food security will be further increased by favorable weather conditions along with targeted recruitment of young people into the sector.
He was addressing on Thursday in Dar es Salaam at the President Samia Suluhu-hosted Africa Food Systems Forum 2023.
Along with other presidents, Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi, Hussein Mwinyi of Zanzibar, and Macky Sall of Senegal were in attendance.
Agriculture won’t have a future, according to President Ruto, unless young people become involved.
“A new narrative around agriculture will make it more appealing to young people who can aid in more effective production, “He listed increased mechanization and the utilization of new technologies as some of the methods to employ. Food evokes emotions. To get it right, we must think critically and strategize with other stakeholders.
He assured the summit that the government’s determined effort to subsidize production would result in the realization of at least 60 million bags of maize this year.
He pointed out that the continent must make use of its vast agricultural space.
The President stated that it was time for African nations to collaborate and utilize their untapped resources.
“We must take advantage of the vast arable lands that we have,” he stated.
President Ruto remarked that the continent’s food security will be further increased by favorable weather conditions along with targeted recruitment of young people into the sector.
He was addressing on Thursday in Dar es Salaam at the President Samia Suluhu-hosted Africa Food Systems Forum 2023.
He continued by saying that the more than 20 million additional bags produced this year compared to the previous year were made possible by the availability, affordability, and accessibility of seeds and fertilizers.
“We are taking steps to address the post-harvest losses we have been experiencing.”
He pointed out that the government had bought mobile dryers and was currently repairing the market infrastructure where value would be added to farm products.
According to Ms. Suluhu, providing farmers with financial help is another factor in ensuring food security in Africa.
She claimed that having easy access to loans will ensure that farmers produce more.
President Ruto has meantime urged African nations to use their borders to promote trade rather than to obstruct it.
“Rather than hindering trade, let’s use the borders as a bridge to intra-African business.”
