The Deputy Ranking Member on the Food and Agriculture Committee in Parliament, Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw, has emphasized the need for African governments to collaborate in shaping more cohesive agricultural policies to address food insecurity challenges on the continent.

During his address at the 2023 Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Dr. Jasaw highlighted the prevalent incoherence in agricultural policies across Africa, as indicated in the biennial review report of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development program. He underscored the necessity for immediate corrective measures.

The event, titled "Parliamentary and Policymakers Forum: Enabling the Trade Environment for Business," examined the pivotal role of fostering a conducive environment for businesses in the food systems sector to flourish.

Moderated by Dr. Apollos Nwafor, Vice President of Policy and State Capability at AGRA, the session delved into policies, legislation, and regulations that can attract investments and support the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the agriculture and food sectors.

Dr. Jasaw called upon African nations to ensure alignment between the executive and legislative branches in formulating and enforcing agricultural policies, emphasizing the importance of involving legislators in policy development and implementation.

He also advocated for increased and timely funding of agricultural initiatives in Africa, recognizing the critical role of budget allocation in achieving agricultural targets, especially in rainfed regions. Dr. Jasaw stressed the necessity for collaboration between the executive and legislators to hold the government accountable in this regard.

Rose Kayi Mivedor, Togo's Minister of Investment, echoed Dr. Jasaw's sentiments, highlighting her country's commitment to prioritizing agricultural investments to enhance the well-being of its rural population. She detailed Togo's policies aimed at improving access to land, seeds, and fertilizer, as well as efforts to reduce prices and implement irrigation and training programs to boost agricultural productivity.

Former Tanzanian President Dr. Jakaya Kikwete, delivering the keynote address, urged African nations to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to advance agriculture.

He lamented that some African countries had yet to ratify AfCFTA, emphasizing its potential to unify the continent economically.

Dr. Kikwete highlighted AfCFTA as a unique opportunity to transform the food system, create wealth, and ensure food security, emphasizing the need for a transformation of smallholder farmers, who constitute a significant portion of African agriculture.