SMALL-SCALE farmers, churches, rural women, media and civil society in Southern Africa have called on their governments to speedily implement the Regional Agricultural Investment Plan (RAIP) to minimise the impact of the El Nino-induced drought.
Staff Reporter
In a statement to coincide with the official opening of the Sadc summit in Mbabane, Swaziland, the Food Climate and Justice Campaign, while commending efforts made by Sadc member States in dealing with the food crises, said more still needed to be done.
“We call on Sadc and its member States to urgently implement the Regional Agricultural Investment Plan and ensure that investments respond to the needs of smallholder farmers – especially women and youth – by enabling their full participation in its implementation and monitoring,” read part of the RAIP statement.
“To break the cycle of drought and food insecurity, a step change in ambition is needed. We call on Sadc and its member States to act now, not later. We stand ready to assist you in the critical task of building a more resilient and food-secure Southern Africa.”
