Kampala Declaration Transforms Africa’s Agricultural Landscape

The Extraordinary African Union Summit held in Kampala, Uganda, from January 9 to 11, 2025, concluded with the adoption of the Kampala Declaration. This transformative document sets a new direction for Africa’s agri-food systems from 2026 to 2035. It replaces the Malabo Declaration, which has guided agricultural policies since 2014. The declaration aims to address the continent’s pressing food security challenges exacerbated by climate change, conflicts, and economic disruptions.

Background of CAADP

The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) was launched in July 2003. It aimed to tackle low agricultural productivity and food insecurity. The Maputo Declaration urged African nations to allocate at least 10% of their national budgets to agriculture. It also set a target for annual agricultural productivity growth of 6%. These commitments were reaffirmed and expanded in the 2014 Malabo Declaration, which introduced ambitious goals like eradicating hunger and enhancing intra-African trade.

Challenges Faced

Despite the commitments made under the Malabo Declaration, Africa continues to struggle with food security. As of early 2024, 20.4% of the population faced hunger. Additionally, 58% experienced food insecurity. The FAO reported that malnutrition remains a critical issue, with rising obesity adding to health burdens. The continent’s agricultural sector has been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, conflicts, and the Russia-Ukraine war, denoting the urgent need for a renewed agenda.

The New Kampala Declaration

The Kampala Declaration introduces a ten-year action plan for CAADP. This plan emphasises an agri-food systems approach, recognising the interconnectedness of agriculture, nutrition, and economic development. It aims to build resilience against shocks while promoting sustainable practices. The declaration aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Africa Common Position on Food Systems.

Implementation and Monitoring

The new CAADP action plan outlines specific steps for implementation and monitoring. It calls for better integration of policies across sectors. This includes sustainable practices from production to consumption. The focus is on creating diverse, nutritious diets that are affordable for all. Stakeholders are encouraged to collaborate across the food value chain to address challenges holistically.

Future Prospects

The Kampala Declaration sets the stage for a new era in African agriculture. It advocates for climate-smart innovations to ensure food security for a rapidly growing population, projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050. The success of this declaration hinges on the commitment of member states to modernise their agricultural sectors and address the complex challenges facing the continent.

Questions for UPSC:

1. Examine the role of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme in addressing food security in Africa.
2. Discuss the impact of climate change on agricultural productivity in Africa. What measures can be taken to mitigate these effects?
3. Critically discuss the significance of the Kampala Declaration in the context of Africa’s agricultural transformation.
4. With suitable examples, discuss the challenges of implementing the Malabo Declaration and the implications for food security in Africa.

Answer Hints:

1. Examine the role of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme in addressing food security in Africa.

1. CAADP was launched to tackle low agricultural productivity and food insecurity, with a goal of increasing investment in agriculture.
2. It set a target for African nations to allocate at least 10% of their national budgets to agriculture.
3. CAADP promotes policies that aim to achieve annual agricultural productivity growth of 6%, addressing food security challenges.
4. The framework has evolved through declarations, with the Malabo Declaration introducing ambitious goals like eradicating hunger.
5. Despite challenges, CAADP provides a structured approach to enhance resilience and sustainability in Africa’s agri-food systems.

2. Discuss the impact of climate change on agricultural productivity in Africa. What measures can be taken to mitigate these effects?

1. Climate change leads to erratic weather patterns, affecting crop yields and food security across Africa.
2. Increased frequency of droughts and floods disrupt agricultural activities and reduce productivity.
3. Adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices can enhance resilience and sustainability in farming.
4. Investment in research and technology can help develop drought-resistant crop varieties and improve irrigation systems.
5. Strengthening policy frameworks and regional cooperation can facilitate better resource management and disaster preparedness.

3. Critically discuss the significance of the Kampala Declaration in the context of Africa’s agricultural transformation.

1. The Kampala Declaration sets a new direction for Africa’s agri-food systems from 2026 to 2035, replacing the Malabo Declaration.
2. It emphasizes an agri-food systems approach, integrating agriculture with nutrition and economic development.
3. The declaration aims to build resilience against shocks, such as climate change and conflicts, enhancing food security.
4. It aligns with broader continental goals like Agenda 2063, promoting sustainable practices across the food value chain.
5. The success of the declaration depends on member states’ commitment to modernizing agricultural sectors and addressing systemic challenges.

4. With suitable examples, discuss the challenges of implementing the Malabo Declaration and the implications for food security in Africa.

1. Implementation of the Malabo Declaration faced challenges like lack of funding and political will among member states.
2. As of early 2024, no country met the commitment to end hunger by 2025, denoting the gap between goals and reality.
3. Food insecurity remains high, with 20.4% of the population facing hunger, exacerbated by conflicts and economic disruptions.
4. Malnutrition persists, with rising obesity rates indicating a failure to address diverse dietary needs.
5. The slow progress in agricultural productivity undermines efforts to achieve food security and economic development across the continent.