AU Urges Member States to Accelerate CAADP Implementation as Continent Lags Behind Schedule

African Union Urges Member States to Accelerate Implementation of CAADP

Addis Ababa, November 17/2023 (ENA) – The African Union has called on member states to expedite the implementation of the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), which is currently behind schedule.

Reviewing the Progress of CAADP

The Fifth Ordinary Session of the Specialized Technical Committee (STC) high-level ministerial on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and Environment was held today to assess the progress made in the implementation of CAADP, as well as other related activities.

Tangible Advancements in Agriculture

During the session, Josefa Sacko, African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment, highlighted the tangible advancements made by the AU in enhancing agricultural productivity and promoting sustainable farming practices.

Through initiatives such as CAADP investment in agricultural infrastructure and the promotion of sustainable farming practices, millions of smallholder farmers and rural households have experienced positive impacts on their lives.

Challenges in Meeting CAADP Commitments

However, out of the 55 African Union member states that reported, 49 stated that “no country is on track to meet the CAADP seven commitments.” This is primarily due to multiple crises experienced over the past three years.

Despite these challenges, 19 member states have made significant progress. Nevertheless, with only two years remaining before the Malabo Declaration period ends, urgent action is required to accelerate CAADP implementation and provide the necessary financing to achieve the aspirations of CAADP.

Need for Increased Implementation

Frank Tumwebaze, the new Chairperson of the Specialized Technical Committee (STC), emphasized that the report indicates Africa as a whole is not on track to meet the goals and targets set for 2025, when the current framework needs to be replaced.

Tumwebaze stated, “With another two years remaining to end the CAADP Malabo Declaration, we must increase the pace of implementation if we are to meet the goals and targets set by our heads of state and government in 2014.”

Collaboration for Future Agenda

Tumwebaze expressed his commitment to working with the African Union, regional economic communities, member states, private sector, civil society, and government partners to shape the agenda for the next 12 months.

CAADP: A Continental Initiative

The Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) is an Agenda 2063 continental initiative aimed at eliminating hunger and reducing poverty in African countries through agriculture-led development.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 15: Life on Land

The article discusses the implementation of the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), which aims to eliminate hunger, reduce poverty, and promote sustainable farming practices. These goals align with SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger). Additionally, the article mentions the positive impact on smallholder farmers and rural households, which relates to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). The promotion of sustainable farming practices also connects to SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.
2. Target 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.
3. Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding, and other disasters, and that progressively improve land and soil quality.
4. Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services.
5. Target 12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses.
6. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
7. Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.

Based on the article’s content, the identified targets are related to reducing poverty (Target 1.2), increasing agricultural productivity and incomes (Target 2.3), implementing sustainable farming practices (Target 2.4), promoting job creation (Target 8.3), reducing food waste (Target 12.3), integrating climate change measures (Target 13.2), and conserving terrestrial ecosystems (Target 15.1).

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 1.2.1: Proportion of population living below the national poverty line, by sex and age.
• Indicator 2.3.1: Volume of production per labor unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size.
• Indicator 2.4.1: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture.
• Indicator 8.3.1: Proportion of informal employment in non-agriculture employment, by sex.
• Indicator 12.3.1: Food loss index.
• Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have communicated the establishment or operationalization of an integrated policy/strategy/plan that increases their ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change.
• Indicator 15.1.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area.

The article does not explicitly mention indicators, but based on the identified targets, the mentioned indicators can be used to measure progress towards those targets. These indicators include measuring the proportion of the population living below the national poverty line (Indicator 1.2.1), volume of production per labor unit (Indicator 2.3.1), proportion of agricultural area under sustainable agriculture (Indicator 2.4.1), proportion of informal employment (Indicator 8.3.1), food loss index (Indicator 12.3.1), establishment of climate change policies/strategies/plans (Indicator 13.2.1), and forest area as a proportion of total land area (Indicator 15.1.1).

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table