With abundant land, water, and human resources, Africa has all the necessary ingredients for self-sufficiency. The missing piece? Technology. By embracing innovation and modern agricultural techniques, the continent can unlock its full potential and feed its own people sustainably, Moses Vilakati, the newly elected African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment, told Sputnik Africa.
The official from Eswatini has set clear priorities for securing food sovereignty on the continent, speaking on the sidelines of the 46th session of the Executive Council of the African Union, which is taking place as part of the upcoming 38th AU Summit.
His focus includes increasing agricultural production and productivity, transforming raw materials through value addition, and reducing Africa’s heavy reliance on food imports—currently costing $100 billion annually.
Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of collaboration in achieving food sovereignty. Every strategic partner, including Russia, plays a crucial role by sharing expertise, experiences, and technological advancements in Africa, underscored Vilakati.
"We learned a lot through getting the experiences and the expertise from the various countries, so we can get all of that information if we collaborate," he concluded.