AFRICAN countries should embrace modern farming technologies, infrastructure development and market access to improve food security, Agriculture deputy minister Seiso Moyo has said.
BY OUR STAFF REPORTER
Moyo, who was addressing delegates at the Sadc Agricultural Business Forum in Germany recently, said that 60% of Africa’s arable land was unutilised hence the continent’s failure to feed its ever-increasing population.
“There is a growing demand for food due to increasing population projected to be nine billion by 2050, with increasing urbanisation projected to be about 80% of the world’s population living in urban areas by 2050,” Moyo said.
“The challenge is now on Africa, which holds 60% of unutilised land for agriculture to provide the lead in agricultural production.”
He said governments should adopt action-oriented projects in addressing infrastructural bottlenecks, market access and resource limitations.
Moyo said strong performance of the agricultural sector would not only guarantee food security, but accelerate economic growth and sustainable development across the region. The forum was attended by agricultural ministers from the Southern Africa region.
Zimbabwe is currently facing a food deficit with an estimated 1,6 million people reportedly in need of urgent food aid.
