African Union launches technical networks for agriculture

2 - 3 September 2016. Nairobi. With the motivation of “less talk and more action” the African Unionconvened a two-day launch sitting.
Department of Agriculture and Rural Economy

The experts from organisations implementing programs along the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) were under one roof to launch their role-specific technical networks. These networks, according to HE Rhoda Tumusiime are meant to ease the implementation of the CAADP.

“This is a delivery mechanism for what the Heads of State and Governments in Africa agreed on under the CAADP in 2003. They want to see more results and impact in this new decade towards 2025. We believe that the technical networks will be the best machinery to facilitate this." Ernest Rusindaza, senior adviser to the commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Economy 

The networks were officially launched by Dr Janet Edeme, Acting Director of the Department for Agriculture and Rural Economy at the AU Commission in the presence of the attendees from the AU, the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), the World Bank, African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS) and the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).

As it stands, the AU is deliberating on which organisations will be convening each of the technical networks and how often. According to Ed Rege from the People Innovations and Change in Organisations (PICO Eastern Africa) co-organisers of the sitting, the networks will operate along the seven major commitments of the Declaration under one umbrella. 

Group discussion in seven networks focused on

1. Agricultural investment financing, 
2. Nutrition and food security, 
3. Agricultural research and extension, 
4. Agro-industry & value chain development, 
5. Markets and regional trade, 
6. Resilience, risk management and natural resources management and 
7. one on Knowledge Management, policy analysis and accountability for results.