The Pan-African Farmers Organization (PAFO) hosted a crucial side event during the Kampala CAADP Declaration, bringing together key stakeholders to discuss how farmers can be placed at the center of Africa’s agri-food systems governance and policy implementation. The event served as a powerful platform for reflection, strategic dialogue, and a unified call to action for a more inclusive, farmer-driven agricultural transformation on the African continent.
A Critical Moment for African Agriculture
The event took place during the CAADP Kampala declaration by the Heads of Government of African countries and witnessed by top officials of development partner institutions in Kampala and it was a decisive time for African agriculture. Despite numerous policy commitments, including the CAADP (Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme) articulated in the Maputo and Malabo Declarations, agricultural transformation has not yet reached its full potential. Challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, underinvestment in rural development, and weak governance structurescontinue to hinder progress in the sector.
However, one message was clear throughout the event: African agriculture must be built around the farmers themselves who are the major stakeholder in the sector. The discussions highlighted that while policies and strategies have been developed at national,regional and continental levels, their impact remains limited unless farmers are actively involved in shaping and implementing them.
Empowering Farmers as Key Decision-Makers
One of the major themes of the event was the need to elevate the role of farmers in policy-making processes. Too often, decisions about agriculture are made without consulting those who produce the food. The event reinforced the importance of moving from passive consultation to direct farmer participation in policy formulation, investment plans, and governance structures.
The representation of farmers at national, regional, and continental levels was also emphasized. The event highlighted the need to bridge the gap between policymakers and farmers’ realities to ensure that agricultural policies truly reflect the needs of those working in the fields.
A New Approach to Agricultural Investment
A key discussion point was the lack of adequate investment in rural areas, despite repeated commitments from African governments to allocate at least 10% of national budgets to agriculture, as agreed under the Maputo and Malabo Declarations. Participants stressed that more funding must reach rural communities directly, ensuring that small-scale farmers have access to finance, inputs, training, and markets.
Furthermore, the inefficiency of current funding mechanisms was highlighted as a major barrier. Calls were made for a new financing approach, where funding is not just allocated but effectively delivered to the grassroots level, supporting smallholders, cooperatives, and farmer organizations in building resilient food systems.
Strengthening Agri-Food Systems Governance
Governance was another major issue raised at the event and it is the sixth objective of the Kampala declaration. Agricultural transformation cannot happen without strong governance structures that include farmers as key players. This means developing accountability mechanisms to ensure that governments and development partners honor their commitments and that resources are directed towards sustainable agricultural practices.
Additionally, the discussions focused on regional trade and market integration, with the need to reduce trade barriers and improve intra-African agricultural commerce. There was a strong call for governments to remove bureaucratic obstacles, improve transport infrastructure, and create a more farmer-friendly trade environment. The establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA that aims to remove barriers to trade between the 55 countries of the African Union (AU) provides a great opportunity to increase intra-African trade in agricultural products in the continent.
Addressing Climate Challenges and Sustainability
Climate change remains one of the biggest threats to African agriculture and farmers. The event highlighted that farmers are on the front lines of the climate crisis, experiencing firsthand the devastating effects of unpredictable weather patterns, soil degradation, and water shortages.
To combat these challenges, PAFO and its partners called for:
● Stronger climate adaptation policies that support smallholder farmers.
● Greater investment in sustainable agricultural practices.
● Improved access to weather and climate information for farmers to make informed decisions.
● Integration of climate resilience strategies into national agricultural policies.
● Building the capacity of farmers and their organisations to access climate finance for mitigation and adaptation.
Sustainability in agriculture was presented as not just an option, but a necessity for Africa’s long-term food and nutritional security and economic growth.
The Role of Women and Youth in Agriculture
One of the most pressing concerns raised was the need to increase support for women and youth in agriculture. Women are major contributors to African food production, yet they continue to face barriers in accessing land, credit, and training. The event stressed that empowering women farmers is not only a matter of fairness but also an economic strategy that can significantly boost food security and economic development.
Similarly, Africa’s young population presents a massive opportunity for improvingagricultural innovation and productivity. However, young people are often discouraged from entering agriculture due to lack of support, outdated farming methods, and limited access to technology and markets. The discussions emphasized the need to modernize agriculture, make it more attractive to young entrepreneurs, and create opportunities for them to thrive in the sector. The understanding of agriculture as a business or profession will encourage and attract young people to the sector.
Moving Forward: A United Commitment to Farmer-Led Agricultural Development
The Kampala event concluded with a strong commitment from PAFO, its members and partners to ensure that farmers are not just beneficiaries of agricultural policies but active contributors in shaping them. There was a shared understanding that real change will only come if policies are backed by action, accountability, and farmer participation at every level.
In his closing remarks, PAFO President Ibrahima Coulibaly issued a rallying call for bold action and structural change in agriculture to ensure the intended transformation. He reminded participants that progress will not happen if farmers remain on the sidelines. He stressed that governance issues must be addressed, funding must be more effectively allocated, and farmers must be empowered to drive the agricultural agenda going forward.
PAFO reaffirmed its role as a leading voice for African farmers, committed to ensuring that the next phase of agricultural transformation, as envisioned by the CAADP Kampala declaration, truly prioritizes the needs of those who feed the continent.
Final Thoughts
The Kampala Side Event served as a critical moment for PAFO and African agriculture as a whole. It was a space where ideas turned into commitments and where a clear message was sent. Africa’s agricultural future depends on farmers, and they must be at the center of all decisions and implementation programs.
As PAFO continues to push for policy reforms, the momentum from this event must be carried forward—turning advocacy into concrete actions that will build a resilient, farmer-driven, and food-secure Africa.