Macky Sall At The Dakar II Summit Feeding Africa By Itself Has Become An Emergency

President Macky Sall recalled the crucial role of agriculture as he began the proceedings of the summit on food sovereignty and resilience in Africa known as "Dakar 2.". Additionally, he exhorted his colleagues to work toward creating an "Africa of solutions and which feeds Africa.".

By Demba DIENG, author of "Feeding Africa: Food Sovereignty and Resilience". The Dakar 2 Summit is being held under this umbrella under the auspices of the African Development Bank (AfDB) and Senegal.

This three-day conference, the work of which got underway yesterday at the Abdou Diouf International Conference Center in Diamniadio (Cicad), recorded the participation of more than forty high-ranking leaders, including nineteen Heads of State and Government. The conference's goal is to establish a global coalition to "Feed Africa.". The head of state, Macky Sall, who unveiled the artwork, was pleased that Dakar had been chosen as the location for this significant event with a timely theme.

He called for support, saying that "your participation shows all the interest that we attach, collectively, to the crucial sector of agriculture, to make it a source of cyclical resilience, but above all a basis for long-term food sovereignty.". It is critical to "make Africa the breadbasket of Africa" in the current situation, where the continent is suffering greatly from the effects of the confluence of the pandemic, the Russian-Ukrainian war, and climate change.

In fact, the global report on the food crisis projects that up to 205 million people could experience food insecurity by the year 2022, with the vast majority of those individuals living in Africa. The scarcity of fertilizers and the uncontrollable price increase are added to this, which, in Macky Sall's opinion, "damage agricultural production.".

The urgency for Africa to end its reliance on imported food is demonstrated by this unprecedented crisis, according to him. In fact, he finds it paradoxical that the continent still imports a significant portion of its food supplies given its enormous agricultural potential (more than 60% of the world's uncultivated arable land) and population (1.04 billion).

Focus on the transformation of potential To transform this potential, Macky Sall calls for a "voluntary commitment" to put into practice the Maputo Declaration of July 2003, which suggests that African nations allocate at least 10% of their budgets to agriculture. Senegal serves as an example by allocating 12% of its budget to the sector. In order to hasten our march toward food sovereignty, we have increased the financing of the rainy season by 75% in just two years, according to the Head of State.

He applauds the African Development Bank (AfDB) for its Food Security Emergency Plan, which has so far raised $1.06 billion for 30 countries, 15 of which have already received payments. He emphasized that "Dakar II must be an action-oriented Summit, with the signing of Compacts for the delivery of food and agricultural products in order to stimulate the production and trade of these products.".

In order to achieve this, he reminds us of the Joint Declaration on Food Security that was issued following the united states-africa summit in December. This document had two main goals: first, to meet immediate needs by importing food and fertilizer under normal market conditions, and second, to work together over the medium and long term to sustainably improve investment in the agricultural sector in order to ensure the food sovereignty of our continent. Improved coordination of interventions President Macky Sall revisited the issues facing the task force he established in his capacity as Chairman-in-Office of the African Union, whose short-term goals will then have a comprehensive approach to follow up on medium- and long-term commitments.

In order to align the various initiatives with the four pillars of the Comprehensive Program for the Development of Agriculture in Africa, he urged Africa's partners to better coordinate their efforts at this level. First, to intensify the use of suitable techniques and technologies, including local product processing, while promoting research further, enhancing agricultural mechanization and water control.

The second step is to increase the area under cultivation and make sure the land is managed sustainably. Enhance infrastructure for market opening and cross-border connectivity, as well as local processing, storage, and conservation facilities. This will, in turn, improve the accessibility of products to markets.

Last but not least, provide smallholders, particularly women and young people, with support and financing that is tailored to their needs. Macky Sall is making a plea to donors and believes that Africa must transition from being a problem to being a solution in today's challenging global environment.

The status quo of our agriculture, which will continue to expose us to food insecurity, is maintained by "the Africa of problems.". The path that Africa has chosen for solutions places us in the context of modern agriculture and moves us past resilience and toward food sovereignty, he said.

According to him, Dakar II wants to be an integral part of the dynamics of the solutions-oriented Africa, an Africa that makes use of its enormous potential to feed both itself and the rest of the world. Announcing the initiative, Macky Sall said, "I call on all our bilateral and multilateral partners to mobilize with us, to make Dakar II a real Summit of action, in order to succeed together in the bet of agricultural production and food sovereignty in Africa.

From peasant to farmer Macky Sall discussed the Senegalese experience in the agricultural sector during the presidential panel that came after his opening remarks. Given that this industry has long been the weak link in the Senegalese economy, he believes a paradigm shift is necessary to replace the idea of the peasant with the concept of the farmer.

More resources must be put into modernization, according to him, in order to achieve this. He argued for equal access to land for women and young people, the improvement of productivity through mechanization, and the development of young people and women. "Agriculture must be profitable, we must motivate young people and women," he said.

Adaptable and climate change-resistant seeds. "A chain approach is also required, with processing and preservation carried out through increased storage infrastructure.

Macky Sall extends an invitation to "especially consume African and create a true food revolution.". FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL DELIVERY COMPACTS AfDB announces $10 billion for five years The president of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina, has announced a commitment of $10 billion for the following five years as part of the Food and Agricultural Commodity Delivery Compact, a mechanism established to assist African countries in overcoming the food crisis.

He believes that the Dakar summit must represent a fresh beginning for an Africa that is well fed on its own. "Resilience and self-determination are needed now.

$75 billion is a lot of money for Africa to spend on food imports. When we have 65 percent arable land, a mother does not have to struggle to feed her children, according to Mr. Adesina.

He is certain that what Africa does to advance its agricultural sector will guarantee global food security. He does not feel proud when he requests food.

This ought to serve as inspiration for policies promoting the development of agriculture. To secure supplies and security for families as well as for Africa to feed Africa, in his opinion, will require sustained efforts.

"Healthier and more productive nations are those that are well-fed. Asking for food is not something to be proud of.

Akinwumi Adesina urged, "We must take the initiative and declare that it is time to feed Africa. He uses Ethiopia as an example, which increased its wheat production from 4,000 to 800,000 hectares in just four years, turning it into a net exporter as of this year.

He thinks that technology alone won't be sufficient to advance agriculture and feed Africa; additional factors include the construction of roads, the modernization of markets, and easier access to financing for women and young people. FINANCING AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION Moussa Faki Mahamat regrets the hesitations of financial partners Faced with the challenges of achieving food sovereignty, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission regrets the lack of confidence in the private sector and, in particular, the hesitation of partners and banks to engage in financing innovative agricultural development programs on the African continent.

The vulnerability of food systems on the continent has been revealed, claims Moussa Faki Mahamat, as a result of a confluence of elements including Covid-19, conflicts of all kinds, climate challenges, and economic volatility made worse by extreme poverty and high levels of inequality. a circumstance that has a negative impact on the continent by escalating and amplifying the structural fragilities of Africa.

"I can't help but draw attention to the hesitations of banks and other financial institutions. I hope that the AfDB's example will be a turning point," he said, criticizing once more the lack of the private sector, which is "always hesitant and dubious" when it comes to the agricultural industry, as well as the "skepticism of the partners in the towards innovative models and local successes.".

A finding that is timely given that the continent is currently experiencing fluctuations in the price of staple foods that have an impact on households and worsen malnutrition. The President of the AU Commission believes that this situation has the potential to lead to crises and social tensions that could have serious repercussions.

Therefore, there is a pressing need to take action in support of a revival of agriculture and the victory of food liberation, without which African nations cannot truly claim their countries to be free. "I, along with others, have long since come to the conclusion that our new liberation should have as its core food sovereignty and nutritional autonomy.

What ruler can accept such enslavement for his people, asked Mr. Faki, "when we depend on others to live, how can we consider ourselves free men?". Nevertheless, he claims to be persuaded that Africa has the capacity to exercise food sovereignty and the potential to save a lot of money on the importation of cereal goods.

This must be accomplished through coordinated efforts within the framework of continental plans and initiatives, including the Malabo Strategy and the Comprehensive Program for the Development of African Agriculture (CAADP), among others. Frameworks that, in his view, allow for anticipation and adaptation in a context that is both global and full of uncertainties, but also on which the agricultural revival of the continent must be based.

"It's time for Africa to put the creative ideas presented in its common position into practice. He went on to say that these tools "constitute a granite foundation for this real agricultural and agri-food renaissance that our peoples are calling for with all of their desires" and urged the partners to align their strategies with those common to Africa in order to spearhead and realize the sustainable transformation of food systems on the continent.

In light of this, the African Union Commission's President announced the launch of the African Food Security Agency project, which will be in charge of coordinating food security initiatives across the continent. Dr. Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, formerly the executive director of Nepad and the prime minister of Niger, has been named the special envoy for food systems for the African Union.

Antonio Guterres' message on fertilizer availability was read aloud by the resident representative in Dakar. In his message, Guterres, the secretary general of the United Nations Organization (UN), expressed his appreciation for the organization of the event on this important subject. He claims that the agricultural sector is susceptible to climate risks despite the abundance of potential it offers.

In light of this, he believes that efforts must be made, especially in the context of the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (Zlecaf), to ensure that the agricultural sector can generate jobs for women and young people. According to him, it "offers enormous potential for increasing production, bolstering trade, and developing value chains.".

According to the UN Secretary General, there is a need for immediate action to address the fertilizer shortage, which could result in food shortages. According to him, "the United Nations is assisting in facilitating unrestricted trade in fertilizers and raw materials to lower transaction costs and improve food security.".

FINANCING AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION Moussa Faki Mahamat regrets the hesitations of financial partners Faced with the challenges of achieving food sovereignty, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission regrets the lack of confidence in the private sector and, in particular, the hesitation of partners and banks to engage in financing innovative agricultural development programs on the African continent.