31 May 2016

The African Caribbean Pacific (ACP) countries have been the hardest hit by recent climate shocks from Elnino induced drought in various regions in Africa to floods in the Pacific.

It is against this background that the ongoing ACP 8^th Summit saw it befitting and organised a high level panel discussion on Sustainable Agriculture for Food Security Resilience and Prosperity in the ACP.

The panelists agreed that there was need to adapt agricultural systems to respond to climate change and extreme weather events.

Namibian deputy prime minister, Ms Netumbo Nandi- Ndaitwah said smart agricultural production was one of the approaches to address food and nutrition security needs.

She said sustainable intensification sought to increase production on existing lands rather than relying on new lands that would require deforestation and or clearing of rangelands was imperative.

With the global population expected to grow from 7 billion to 9 billion by 2050, Ms Nandi-Ndaitwah said food production would have to grow by 70 per cent so as to meet the demand.

This, she said requires re-doubling of efforts plus appropriate policy responses to address the challenges within the short-medium term.

In order for the ACP to put into action ideas and decisions on achieving food security, resilience and prosperity, Ms Nandi Ndatiwah said there was need for long-term innovative financing that was responsive to the needs of both large scale and small farmers.

“Developed countries to eliminate trade distortive production subsidies in order to enhance competiveness for our farmers through the levelling of the playing field,” she said.

Further, Ms Nandi Ndatiwah said there was need for development of a friendly approach in the implementation of the Economic Partnerships agreements as well as increase market access beyond existing traditional markets for the products. Ends