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Tawanda Musarurwa
Zimbabwe will next month host the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) Africa Regional Conference in Victoria Falls.
And the Zimbabwean Government in partnership with the National Association of Non-Governmental Association (Nango) and Zimbabwe Smallholder Organic Farmers Forum (ZIMSOFF) are spearheading consultations of civil society organisations for the upcoming conference.
Over the past three decades, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have progressively been involved in FAO Conferences, policy dialogues and technical committees.
FAO assistant director-general and regional representative for Africa Abede Haile-Gabriel said the regional consultations will help capture the voices of the majority who are involved in local agricultural system.
“Regional Consultations of Civil Society are an integral part of the FAO Regional Conference process…It is expected that the voices and views of civil society or stakeholders such as small farmers; fishers and fish workers; pastoralists and herders; ethnic minorities and indigenous peoples; consumers; NGOs; women and youth will be heard through the CSO spokespersons.
“A written contribution is expected as a declaration from the CSOs at the end of the consultations and will be presented as part of the 31st session of FAO Regional Conference for Africa,” said Mr Haile-Gabriel.
“There are various opportunities ahead of us to unlock the enormous potential to transform Africa’s agriculture and food systems. African population is growing to about 1,7 billion by 2030, in particular, young Africans with more than 750 million under the age of 35.
“Growing African food markets, estimated to reach 1 trillion US dollar in value by 2030 as a result of the recently signed Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA).”
Data from the latest regional overview of Food Security and Nutrition, the prevalence of undernourishment continues to rise and now affects over 20 percent of Africa’s population.
These are some of the key issues that the FAO Regional Conference seeks to address.
Addressing participants at the Consultation for Civil Society Organisations meeting on Monday, Minister of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement Dr Perrance Shiri said:
“Government appreciates the contributions that FAO, civil society organisations represented by the National Association of Non-governmental Organisations and Zimbabwe Smallholder Organic Farmers Forum and producers’ organisations in providing organisational, economic, and social support to smallholder farmers, pastoralists and those who rely on fishing and forestry for their livelihoods.
“This role is important as it contributes towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, Agenda 2063 and national development plans that have a thrust of ending hunger, poverty and inequality in Africa.”
Online Reporter