Africa Has the Potential to Feed Itself With An Export Surplus – President Ruto

Africa has the capacity to feed itself and export the surplus, as stated by President William Ruto.

He pointed out that the continent must make use of its vast agricultural space.

The President stated that it is time for African countries to collaborate and utilize their untapped resources.

“We must utilize the enormous arable lands that we have to our advantage,” he said.

President Ruto stated that the favorable weather, combined with the purposeful recruitment of youth into the sector, will contribute to Africa’s food security.

He spoke on Thursday in Dar es Salaam at President Samia Suluhu’s Africa Food Systems Forum 2023.

Presidents Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi, Hussein Mwinyi of Zanzibar, and Macky Sall of Senegal were among those present.

President Ruto stated that agriculture has no future unless the youth are involved.

“A new narrative around agriculture will make it attract more young people who can help us produce more efficiently.”

He highlighted new technologies and increasing mechanization as some of the methods to adopt.

“Food is emotive. We must work with other stakeholders to think and plan to get it right.

He told the Summit that the Government’s intentional plan to subsidize production will result in the production of at least 60 million bags of maize this year.

He went on to say that the higher production – more than 20 million bags more than last year — was attributable to the accessibility, affordability, and availability of seeds and fertilizers.

“We are now addressing the post-harvest losses that we have been suffering from.”

He stated that the government has purchased mobile driers and is now repairing market infrastructure in order to add value to farm produce.

According to President Suluhu, Africa’s food security is also dependent on the continent providing financial assistance to farmers.

She believes that farmers will produce more if they have access to reasonable loans.

Meanwhile, African countries have been urged by President Ruto to use their borders to encourage rather than obstruct trade.

“Let us use the borders as a bridge to intra -Africa business rather than frustrating commerce.”