The players that during the Comesa-organised for the critical Ministerial Meeting under the theme: “Accelerating Regional Integration through the Development of Regional Value Chains in Climate-Resilient Agriculture, Mining, and Tourism.” agreed to work together in reversing the surging headwinds led by climate change through taking bold and unified steps.

The conference noted that the climate impasse has given rise to food price volatility, disrupted value chains, and rising youth unemployment, all testing the resilience of the systems underway and the resolve of the continent’s political will.

The African Union Commissioner for agriculture, rural development, blue economy and sustainable environment, Moses Vilakati said the various challenges impending Africa’s food security were real.

There was however, no cause to despair and instead stand together with renewed hope as it serves as a clarion call to action to fight various shortcomings that seek to derail the continent’s vision to remain food secure.

Actions, among others, the 100-Day Drive Toward Africa’s Food Security, a compact of urgency and delivery, grounded in the aspirations of Agenda 2063 and fully aligned with the Kampala Declaration on Agricultural Transformation all illustrate the continent’s determination to redress such challenges.

“The aim was simple: translate continental commitments into tangible change across eight high-impact areas: job creation, soil health, fertilizer & seed systems, agroindustry, climate resilience, the blue economy, and institutional development.” he said.

Officiating, virtually at the Comesa-19 Agriculture Minister meeting hosted in Lusaka, Commissioner Vilakati challenged Africa and the 21-member economic bloc to stand together and fight the structural barriers, climate change, trade imbalances, among others frustrating the continent’s growth prospects.

He commended Comesa for its unwavering leadership in seeking to spearhead the agricultural revolution and insulate the economic bloc as evidenced by the heightening headwinds through such gatherings dubbed: “Accelerating Regional Integration through the Development of Regional Value Chains in Climate-Resilient Agriculture, Mining, and Tourism.”

“I stand before you not with despair, but with renewed hope and a clarion call to action.”

“Because the stakes could not be higher: climate shocks, food price volatility, disrupted value chains, and rising youth unemployment are testing the resilience of our systems and the resolve of our leadership. “he said.

He reiterated AUC resolve to help the continent to transition from ambition to achievement, through elimination of the barriers through among other countervailing measures; harmonization of trade and regulatory protocols.

This effort is arguably to accelerate the reduction of non-tariff barriers across COMESA and the continent to institutionalized products that enhance regional food balance and strategic grain reserves to assure of lasting food security.

He warned Africa against complacency with over the consequences of the climate change, given the devastation noted across the African continent, affecting food security and beyond

“We must treat climate resilience, not as a sector, but as the very lens through which we design all future agriculture, water, and energy systems.”

The AUC reiterates its resolve and confidence in Africa’s self-potency arguing that the continent was not poor but underinvested instead, noting the poor soils, unable to produce food for lack of resolution on the future the agricultural development for want of research and development to turn round the continent’s misfortunates.

“Africa is not poor; it is underinvested. Our soils are not barren; they are under-researched. Our youth are not jobless; they are under-valued.” Commissioner noted, decrying increasing poverty reports spurred by conflicts and lack of coherent policies to drive growth sector around.

“We will not manage poverty; We will create wealth.

We will not await miracles from the North; We will cultivate our own prosperity, with our own hands, on our own terms.”

African farming should not be fragmented, underinvested and dependent by should be driven by regional integration, industrialisation and assured of food security.

Zambia’s agriculture Minister Reuben Mtolo calls for collective action as continent to fight headwinds noting that the collaboration among countries in harnessing agriculture was vital for sustainable and inclusive growth.

“Our agriculture sector, the backbone of our economies, continues to face challenges such as low productivity, climate shocks, fragmented markets, and limited investment. Now is the time for bold, decisive, and collective action to overcome these barriers and redefine our shared future.” He said.

COMESA member states should strive to accelerate the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices, expand irrigation, remove trade barriers, and embrace digital technologies to boost productivity and competitiveness.

Zambia seeks to effective domestication of the Kampala CAADP Strategy and Action Plan. The private sector participation and the empowerment of smallholder farmers, is arguably to help the continent.

To excite development partners, the steadfastness of member states and their technical and financial support remains invaluable to our shared success.