AU Agric Ministers Endorse Pan-African Seed, Biotech Programme

The third Conference of African Union Ministers of Agriculture held in Libreville, Gabon, recently, endorsed the development of the African Seed and Biotechnology Programme (ASPB) to help streamline the two sectors on the continent. They concurred that improved seeds offer an opportunity to meet the challenge of enhancing agricultural productivity in which lie the pathway towards sustainable food security.

The meeting stressed the need to enhance seed trade and to agree on harmonized rules among Member States, to improve collaboration between regional economic communities, and to enhance the role of the private sector in the seed industry. In discussions regarding funding for the Programme, the Director of the Rural Economy and Agriculture Department of the African Union Commission, Dr. Babagana Ahmadu, reminded the delegates of the Maputo Declaration of 2003, in which the Heads of State and Government pledged to allocate at least 10% of the national budgets to implement the agricultural agenda.

The meeting was attended by ministers from Algeria, Angola, Cameroon, Chad, Egypt, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, and Zambia.

For more information email Daniel Otunge (d.otunge@cgiar.org) of ISAAA AfriCenter.