AATF, AUC renew agreement to improve agricultural productivity in Africa
AATF, AUC renew agreement to improve agricultural productivity in Africa ZAWYA
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AATF and AUC Sign MoU to Enhance Agricultural Productivity in Africa
The African Agriculture Technology Foundation (AATF) and the African Union Commission (AUC) have entered into a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to improve agricultural productivity in Africa through research, technology development, and adoption.
Addressing Farm Productivity Constraints
The partnership agreement aims to address the challenges faced by smallholder farmers in Africa, such as the impact of climate change and the infestation of pests and diseases, by deploying agricultural technologies.
Commitment to Sustainable Development Goals
Ambassador Josefa Sacko, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment for AUC, emphasized that the agreement with AATF demonstrates a commitment to collective action and collaboration in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined in Agenda 2063: the African we want.
2023-2027 AATF Strategy
Ambassador Sacko congratulated AATF on the launch of their 2023-2027 Strategy, which focuses on commercialization, scaling, climate change resilience, and sustainability to achieve food and nutrition security in Africa.
Strengthening Efforts for Smallholder Farmers
Dr. Canisius Kanangire, Executive Director of AATF, highlighted that the partnership agreement with AUC will strengthen efforts to improve agricultural productivity and livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Africa.
Technology Transfer for Impact
Dr. Kanangire expressed confidence that the renewed partnership with AUC will accelerate technology transfer efforts, ensuring that innovative solutions reach farmers and contribute to a food and nutrition secure Africa.
AATF’s Strategic Plan 2023-2027
Dr. Kanangire emphasized that AATF’s new Strategic Plan builds on previous achievements and provides a roadmap for scaling technological interventions to achieve agricultural transformation and resilient food systems in line with AU’s Agenda 2063.
Promoting Science, Technology, and Innovation
AATF will continue to facilitate strategic dialogues on agricultural technology in Africa, bringing together diverse perspectives on the role of Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) in agricultural development. This will contribute to economic growth and the attainment of the Malabo Declaration, Africa’s agriculture vision, and Agenda 2063.
African Conference on Agricultural Technologies (ACAT)
AATF announced that they will host the first African Conference on Agricultural Technologies (ACAT) in October 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya. This platform will advocate for the uptake of agricultural innovations and advance agricultural technology transfer in Africa.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets, and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment. | No specific indicators mentioned in the article. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.A: Implement the commitment undertaken by developed-country parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to a goal of mobilizing jointly $100 billion annually by 2020 from all sources to address the needs of developing countries in the context of meaningful mitigation actions and transparency on implementation and fully operationalize the Green Climate Fund through its capitalization as soon as possible. | No specific indicators mentioned in the article. |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought, and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world. | No specific indicators mentioned in the article. |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South, and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology, and innovation and enhance knowledge sharing on mutually agreed terms, including through improved coordination among existing mechanisms, in particular, at the United Nations level, and through a global technology facilitation mechanism. | No specific indicators mentioned in the article. |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 2: Zero Hunger
The article discusses raising agricultural productivity in Africa to address farm productivity constraints faced by smallholder farmers, such as the impact of climate change and infestation of pests and diseases. Improving agricultural productivity is directly linked to SDG 2, which aims to achieve zero hunger by ensuring access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food for all.
SDG 13: Climate Action
The article mentions the impact of climate change on smallholder farmers in Africa. By addressing the challenges posed by climate change, the partnership between AATF and AUC contributes to SDG 13, which focuses on taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
SDG 15: Life on Land
The article highlights the need to combat desertification and restore degraded land and soil. This aligns with SDG 15, which aims to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
The partnership between AATF and AUC demonstrates the importance of collaboration and cooperation to achieve common goals. This aligns with SDG 17, which emphasizes the need for global partnerships to mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources to support sustainable development.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers
The article mentions that the partnership aims to raise agricultural productivity in Africa to address farm productivity constraints faced by smallholder farmers. This aligns with Target 2.3, which focuses on doubling the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers by 2030.
Target 13.A: Implement the commitment undertaken by developed-country parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
The article highlights the impact of climate change on smallholder farmers in Africa. By addressing climate change impacts and deploying agricultural technologies, the partnership contributes to Target 13.A, which focuses on implementing commitments to address climate change and mobilizing financial resources for developing countries.
Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil
The article emphasizes the need to combat desertification and restore degraded land and soil. This aligns with Target 15.3, which aims to combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, and achieve a land degradation-neutral world by 2030.
Target 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South, and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology, and innovation
The partnership between AATF and AUC demonstrates the importance of enhancing cooperation on science, technology, and innovation. This aligns with Target 17.6, which focuses on enhancing regional and international cooperation on science, technology, and innovation to support sustainable development.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
No specific indicators are mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets, and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment. | No specific indicators mentioned in the article. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.A: Implement the commitment undertaken by developed-country parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to a goal of mobilizing jointly $100 billion annually by 2020 from all sources to address the needs of developing countries in the context of meaningful mitigation actions and transparency on implementation and fully operationalize the Green Climate Fund through its capitalization as soon as possible. | No specific indicators mentioned in the article. |
