QFM’s David Bweupe reports from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia that speaking during a media briefing on the sidelines of the 22nd African Union summit, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, Rhoda Peace Tumusime noted that Africa can do much better than it is doing in agriculture considering the abundant land and water resources.
Mrs. Tumusime says unless the agriculture sector is transformed, economic development on the continent will be undermined.
She says African Union member countries cannot ignore agriculture if economic development is to be attained.
She notes that it is the agriculture sector which has great potential for employment creation and industrialization.
Mrs. Tumusime adds that Africa is more competitive in Agriculture, with 60 percent of the continent’s population being involved in agriculture.
She further stated that the agriculture sector cannot be transformed unless the private sector is playing its role.
Mrs. Tamusime notes that the private sector is very important to the transformation of the agriculture but has not been well utilized in growing the agriculture sector.
The Theme for the 22nd African Union summit which officially opens tomorrow 30th January is “2014 Year of Agriculture and Food Security in Africa.”