By Haddy Touray
Gambian MP, Hon. Sulayman Saho has called for stronger parliamentarian action on Kampala Declaration to advance agricultural transformation and strengthen food security across the African continent.
Hon. Saho who is also the Chairperson of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) Committee on Rural Economy, Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources has called on African parliamentarians to accelerate the domestication and implementation of the Kampala Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Declaration.
Saho made the call during a sitting of the committee held as part of the First Ordinary Session of the Seventh Pan-African Parliament, currently underway at the Parliament’s seat in Midrand, South Africa.
The committee received a presentation from the African Union Commission on the implementation of the Kampala CAADP Declaration and the role of legislators in supporting Africa’s agricultural transformation agenda.
Presenting the report, African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, Moses Vilakati, underscored the urgency of accelerating agricultural reforms despite Africa’s vast agricultural potential.
He said more than 300 million Africans remain undernourished, while the continent spends between US$50 billion and US$100 billion annually on food imports, highlighting the need to boost domestic food production and build resilient and sustainable agrifood systems.
Committee members stressed the importance of translating continental commitments into national legislation, policies and practical programmes to ensure the objectives of the Kampala Declaration are achieved.
They also called for closer collaboration between the Pan-African Parliament and the African Union Commission, stronger parliamentary oversight and greater inclusion of farmers, women and young people in agricultural development initiatives.
Saho reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to working closely with the African Union Commission and member states to advance the implementation of the Kampala CAADP Declaration across the continent.
He said national parliaments have a critical role to play in aligning domestic legislation with continental agricultural commitments, mobilizing resources and holding governments accountable for delivering on agreed targets aimed at achieving food security, improving rural livelihoods and promoting sustainable agricultural development in Africa.