Johannesburg: Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has challenged political leaders across the continent to uphold their commitments to enhance agricultural growth and productivity, while increasing the level and efficiency of farm investments for a broader impact. Speaking at the launch of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Strategy and Action Plan 2026-2035 and the Kampala Declaration, held in Johannesburg, Steenhuisen emphasised that sustained investment in agriculture is critical to eradicating poverty and hunger, while enhancing productivity across the sector.
According to South African Government News Agency, the event, hosted by the South African government from 5 to 7 May 2025, was jointly organised by the African Union Commission’s Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (DARBE), and the African Union Development Agency – New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD). In his keynote address, Steenhuisen underscored the urgent need of strengthening agricultural resource mobilisation to address the challenges facing smallholder farmers. He added that prioritising the efficient allocation of available resources to boost sector productivity is not only critical but urgent ‘if we are to improve agricultural productivity.’
The Minister also reiterated South Africa’s strong political leadership and commitment to drive the implementation, mutual accountability, and significantly, the financing required to achieve the aspirations of CAADP. Steenhuisen identified data management as a barrier to the effective implementation of the CAADP agri-food systems agenda. He said with the assistance of the AU, AUDA-NEPAD, development partners, and experts, the leaders must address the challenges related to data management.
He further highlighted that innovation in the agrifood sector must respond to dynamic local conditions, including the co-evolution of pests and diseases, degradation of water and land resources, and climate change. ‘Eliminating distortions and resolving market failures hindering technology adoption are essential components of any productivity enhancement program, particularly for smallholder farmers,’ the Minister said. In this context, he said, agricultural policy faces a significant challenge: the simultaneous need to address market failures is often constrained by government resource limitations and the difficulty of properly identifying issues and implementing effective reforms.
Minister Steenhuisen reaffirmed the crucial role of governments in advancing agricultural innovation, saying governments must act as both investors in knowledge creation and advocates for the dissemination of technology. ‘This role involves focused public investments and policy reforms that incentivise public institutions and private companies to create knowledge that meets users’ needs throughout the agrifood value chain. Our Agrifood systems entail strengthening coordination among all stakeholders, crafting supportive policy frameworks, and prioritising capacity building alongside robust data and evidence management,’ he said.
Steenhuisen reiterated that addressing hunger and poverty will require a multisectoral approach, particularly in the context of slow economic growth.