EAC International Symposium and Exhibition on Agricultural Development Concludes in Kampala East African Community Kampala, Uganda, 8th November 2013: The first-ever EAC International Symposium and Exhibition on Agricultural Development designed to critically assess agricultural development in the region during the 50 years since all the EAC Partner States earned independence ended at Serena Hotel in Kampala, Uganda. A 5-day November 2013 Symposium was collaboratively organized by the EAC Secretariat, Kilimo Trust, Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA), Uganda’s Ministries of East African Community Affairs (MEACA- Uganda), and that of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF- Uganda). Addressing High Level Round Table session of the symposium, the Speaker of East African Legislative Assembly Rt. Hon Margaret Nantongo Zziwa said that the assessment of agriculture development in the region takes places at a time when the continent’s Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) is marking ten years of implementation and only two years away from the target 2015 for EAC to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. Rt. Hon Zziwa reiterated that Agriculture is one of the East Africa region’s most important sectors with about 80 percent of the region population living in rural areas and depending on agriculture for their livelihood. 2006-7 statistics reveal that the sector accounts for about 44% of GDP in Burundi, 30% in United Republic of Tanzania, 24% in Kenya and 38% in Rwanda, added EALA Speaker Rt.Hon.Zziwa disclosed that Agriculture and Food Security is a key area of Co-operation as outlined in chapter 18 (article 105-110) of the Treaty for the establishment of the East African Community. She added that EAC Agriculture and Rural Development policy (EAC-ARDP) has been developed as an initial step towards the implementation of provision of the Treaty. The Speaker called for the region to full take advantage of the available resources which includes youthful population, arable land, water, realization of oil and gas as one way to improve agriculture industry in the region. “I appeal to the Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and Government agencies to priorities policy matters’’ .The role of government is to create a conducive environment for agricultural development to spur, remarked Rt. Hon Speaker. The East African Community Deputy Secretary General in charge of Political Federation Mr. Charles Njoroge said EAC region is very rich in natural and human resources capital with all necessary ingredients for integrated, transformative agricultural development. “I am glad that the Symposium has demonstrated conviction and optimism in terms of what needs to be done to reach the desire heights of prosperity’’ EAC Deputy Secretary General underscored the importance of political will and commitment of EAC Partner States to implement Plan of Action for the symposium. Dr. Jonathan Ciano, CEO of Uchumi Super Market who represented private sector noted that although the EAC region is frequently affected by food shortages and pockets of hunger, the region as whole has a huge potential and capacity to produce enough food for consumption and a large surplus for export to the world market He urged the EAC Partner States to use Public-Private-Partnership as a key in the dispensation to improve agricultural development in the region. Recommendations and action points from High Level Roundtable discussion will be submitted to the EAC Council of Ministers through the EAC Sectoral Council on Agriculture and Food Security for adoption. In attendance were; Minister responsible for agricultural in Uganda, Permanent Secretaries from the EAC Partner States, Members of National and regional Parliament (EALA) Development Partners, Chief Executive Officers from the Private Sector, Farmer leaders, Ambassadors Youth organizations and media fraternity -ENDS- For more information please contact: Owora Richard Othieno, Head of Department; Corporate Communications and Public Affairs; Tel: +255 784 835021; Email: [email protected]
Posted on: Wed, 13 Nov 2013 06:16:53 +0000