The African Union (AU) Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment, Josefa Sacko, has shed light on why some African nations fell short of achieving the targets set under the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP).
Speaking on the matter, Sacko attributed the shortfall to multiple challenges, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, conflicts, and climate-related disasters.
She noted that natural calamities like floods, which severely affected countries such as Zimbabwe and Malawi, were among the major factors derailing progress.
Addressing concerns about accountability, Sacko clarified that the AU does not impose penalties on countries that fail to meet CAADP targets. She explained that African nations are sovereign entities, and the AU does not function as a law enforcement body capable of administering punitive measures.
Sacko also highlighted obstacles within the free trade market, particularly the challenges farmers face in accessing regional markets.
She pointed to issues such as visa restrictions and a lack of integration across the continent as significant hurdles.
Despite these difficulties, Sacko expressed optimism about ongoing efforts to promote regional integration and dismantle barriers to free trade.
She assured that member states are working diligently to address these bottlenecks and create a seamless trading environment for African farmers.
Additionally, she emphasized the importance of intra-African trade, which was initially set to commence in 2020 but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sacko reaffirmed the African Union’s commitment to ensuring the successful implementation of this initiative, which is expected to boost economic growth and foster cooperation among member states.
Sacko’s remarks come at a critical time as the continent seeks to overcome longstanding challenges and build a more resilient agricultural sector, paving the way for sustainable development.