Youths across Africa have been called upon to take center stage in agricultural development as a strategic response to the continent’s food security challenges.
Speaking at the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP) Summit held at Munyonyo Speke Resort, Col. Allan Kitanda, the Director of Strategic Communication and Defence Engagement (STRACOM-DE) for the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), emphasized the critical role agriculture plays in ensuring the security and prosperity of Africa.
Quoting Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Col. Kitanda highlighted Africa’s untapped potential as a global food supplier. “Africa has the ability to produce food not just for itself but for the entire world,” he said, noting that Uganda enjoys near-year-round rainfall while other nations that receive limited rain still manage to export food.
Drawing comparisons, Col. Kitanda referenced Jordan, a predominantly desert nation, which has mastered agricultural practices to produce and export crops like matooke (bananas). He urged African nations to make better use of their abundant water resources, such as rivers and lakes, to develop irrigation systems that would transform the continent into an agricultural powerhouse.
Agriculture as Security:
Col. Kitanda underscored the inseparable link between food production and security. He cited various scholars who have redefined security to include human welfare, arguing that hunger among communities can escalate into unrest. “When over 100 people lack food, their next move is to the streets, and that becomes a security threat,” he said.
He explained that the UPDF has integrated food production into its operations, with soldiers cultivating their own food and contributing to broader food security efforts. Initiatives like Operation Wealth Creation are also helping Ugandans understand agriculture as a key component of national security.
Youth Inclusion in Agriculture:
Col. Kitanda issued a rallying call to Africa’s youth to step up and embrace agriculture, shedding the stereotype that farming is a job for the elderly. “The youth have the energy and age advantage,” he said. “They must take charge now, rather than relying on older generations.”
He criticized the trend of young Africans abandoning agriculture to seek employment abroad, particularly in the Middle East, and stressed that youth involvement is vital for Africa to thrive. Through programs like Youth Livelihood, young people can be empowered to see agriculture as a viable, profitable career.
Preparing for the Future:
Col. Kitanda urged African nations to prioritize agriculture as a strategic security issue. He pointed to developed nations that maintain food reserves to sustain their populations during emergencies. Africa, he said, has the fertile soils, abundant water, and vast uncultivated land to adopt similar practices and ensure long-term food security.
“Africa’s future depends on linking agriculture to security,” Col. Kitanda concluded. “By putting agriculture at the forefront, we can create a proud, self-sufficient continent capable of feeding its people and exporting to the world.”
The meeting ended with a renewed commitment to youth-led agricultural transformation, aimed at harnessing Africa’s vast resources for sustainable development and prosperity.
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