Zambia urges accelerated implementation of African Union-backed programmme to transform agriculture in Africa

Zambia has called for the accelerated implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) at all levels to drive the transformation of Africa’s agricultural sector.

Agriculture Minister, Reuben Mtolo, emphasized the programmes’ importance in fostering sustainable and resilient agri-food systems across the continent.

Speaking on Friday at the Ministerial Meeting of African Union (AU) Member States in Kampala, Uganda, ahead of the Extraordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government, Mtolo outlined the benefits of the Post-Malabo CAADP Strategy and Action Plan (2026–2035).

The strategy, he said, aimed to boost food and nutrition security, reduce rural poverty, create jobs—particularly for women and youth—and promote sustainable natural resource management and climate resilience.

“In Zambia, the Post-Malabo CAADP Strategy and Action Plan will be implemented through the Comprehensive Agriculture Transformation Support Programme (CATSP),” Mtolo said in a statement issued in Lusaka on Friday.

He added that the alignment of these frameworks would ensure effective delivery of Zambia’s agricultural transformation agenda.

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Mtolo, representing President Hakainde Hichilema at the Summit, was joined by Bweengwa Member of Parliament and Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Kasauta Michelo.

Michelo highlighted the role of parliamentarians in enacting CAADP-responsive legislation and securing national budgets to support the vision outlined in the Kampala Declaration.

The meeting, themed “Sustainable and Resilient Agri-food Systems for a Healthy and Prosperous Africa,” discussed the Draft Ten-Year CAADP Strategy and Action Plan (2026–2035) and the draft Kampala CAADP Declaration.

These frameworks aim to establish a transformative vision for Africa’s agri-food systems, with their adoption expected at the AU Heads of State Summit on January 11, 2025.

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