Moffat Mungazi
Lloyd Makonya
Correspondent
AS the rains continue to pound across Zimbabwe, the nation’s hopes for an improved harvest have been rekindled following two years of an El-Niño-induced drought.
One of the major success stories for this agriculture season has been His Excellency, President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa leading from the front at his Precabe Farm in Kwekwe.
Scores of people have been drawn to his farm to witness how sustainable properly managed farming systems can yield positive results.
It is at this opportune time that African Heads of State are pushing the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).
Ministers of Agriculture from the African Union’s 55-member states, met from the 9th of January for a three-day Extraordinary Summit in Uganda’s capital, Kampala.
The recently concluded CAADP Extraordinary Summit, marked a turning point in Africa’s agricultural transformation.
The summit’s adoption of the 10-year CAADP Strategy and Action Plan (2026-2035) underscores the continent’s renewed commitment to enhancing food systems, addressing climate change, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
Zimbabwe’s agricultural strategy, led by Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka under the visionary leadership of President Mnangagwa, aligns seamlessly with CAADP’s objectives, demonstrating the potential for national policies to contribute to continental goals.
CAADP is a flagship initiative under the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Established in 2003 through the Maputo Declaration and reaffirmed in 2014 with the Malabo Declaration, CAADP aims to enhance agricultural productivity, ensure food security, increase public investment in agriculture, and promote economic growth through agriculture-led development.
It seeks to address the challenges of hunger and poverty in Africa, emphasising development that is owned and driven by African governments.
The programme’s ultimate goal is a continent free from hunger and poverty, where agriculture catalyses economic and social progress.
At the Kampala Summit, African leaders adopted the 10-year CAADP Strategy and Action Plan, which focuses on addressing pressing agricultural challenges. This strategy targets boosting agricultural output by 45 percent by 2035, cutting post-harvest losses by 50 percent to improve food availability, and promoting climate-smart agriculture to address the effects of climate change.
It also emphasises strengthening rural infrastructure to support farming and distribution, implementing measures to reduce food waste across the value chain, and boosting trade in agricultural goods to foster economic integration. The summit highlighted the importance of collaboration between African nations to overcome shared challenges such as climate change, pests, and diseases.
Zimbabwe’s agricultural strategy is a model of how national policies can align with CAADP’s objectives.
Under the leadership of President Mnangagwa, the country has implemented several initiatives to modernise agriculture, improve food security, and enhance resilience.
Investments in irrigation infrastructure are helping mitigate climate change impacts and ensure year-round farming, while the Pfumvudza/Intwasa Programme promotes sustainable farming practices that enhance yields and preserve soil health.
The Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation Strategy (2020-2025) being implemented by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development focuses on productivity growth, modernisation, and inclusivity, supported by inclusive financing mechanisms that provide affordable credit to smallholder farmers, who are the backbone of Zimbabwe’s agricultural economy.
At the CAADP Summit, in his opening remarks, Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni spoke of the need to urgently address the agricultural crisis in Africa, describing the continent as a super power that, not only is endowed with natural resources, but brilliant minds as well.
He added that the task now befalls African leaders to see to it that they come up with strategies that will enhance the motherland’s food security, economic growth and most importantly improve livelihoods.
Zimbabwe’s alignment with CAADP’s 10-year strategy is evident in its policies and initiatives.
The country’s efforts contribute to CAADP’s broader vision through knowledge sharing, as Zimbabwe’s success with conservation agriculture provides a model for other nations.
Adherence to the Malabo Declaration targets reinforces the collective commitment to transforming Africa’s agriculture, while increased agricultural output strengthens trade ties and enhances food security in southern Africa.
The adoption of the 10-year CAADP Strategy and Action Plan represents a significant step toward a prosperous and food-secure Africa.
Zimbabwe’s proactive approach to agricultural transformation, as envisioned by President Mnangagwa aligns closely with CAADP’s goals, offering valuable lessons for the continent.
As Africa works toward sustainable agricultural development, Zimbabwe’s experiences highlight the importance of innovation, resilience, and collaboration in realising this vision.
