African Union member states have been urged to implement the Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation for Shared Prosperity and Improved Livelihoods and ensure resilience of the agriculture secto against climatic shocks.
The Director of Industry and Agriculture at the Common Markets for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Providence Mavubi called on member states to work towards transforming, livestock sub-sector from subsistence extensive systems which are prone to setbacks from climate change.
Speaking at the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the African Union – InterAfrica Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) Ms Mavubi said agriculture transformation will ensure resilience to climate change and provide ways of adaptation to the changing weather patterns.
“The livestock sector is the most affected by climate change arising from extreme weather events that have seen recurrent droughts which adversely affect the livestock sector,” said Mavubi and added, “we are seeing Member States enhancing livestock and fisheries value chains and expanding agro-processing and opening up their economies to domestic and international investments and we are witnessing increased inter and intra-regional trade in animal and animal products between Member States.”
She noted that there is sufficient land, human power and conducive agroecology on the continent hence the need to open up and attract investment to the sector while using the opportunities on the continent “to trade more among ourselves using the provisions of Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) opportunities.”
The Comesa director called for strengthening of capacities in the development and harmonization of sanitary and phyto-sanitary measures and compliance to international standards especially in the face of increasing challenges of climate change and its effect on the incidence of emerging and re-emerging animal diseases that are trans-boundary in nature.
Noting that AU-IBAR now has a broadened mandate covering animal production and health, Mavubi said that AU-IBAR in partnership with RECs, has implemented different projects including the Reinforcing Veterinary Governance (VET-GOV), strengthening institutional capacity to enhance governance of the Fisheries Sector in Africa (FishGov 1 & 2), Strengthening the Secretariat for the Conference of African Ministers in charge of fisheries and aquaculture within the framework of the Regional Partnership for African Fisheries Policy Reform (RAFIP), Strengthening the capacity of African countries towards the conservation and sustainable utilization of African Animal Genetic Resources (AnGR), Strengthening Pan-African platforms for enhancing entrepreneurship and coordination in the animal resources sector by enhancing women and youth empowerment in agribusiness and for job creation.
She said implementing the Sustainable Development of Livestock for Livelihoods in Africa (Live2Africa) project will enhance the contribution of animal resources to sustainable socioeconomic development and equitable growth.
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The Former Commissioner with the African Union Commission Rhoda Peace Tumusiime, says that PPR (Pestes de Petit Ruminants) disease in livestock especially the sheep and goats is causing a menace and negatively impacting livelihoods across the continent in the agro-pastoral areas.
Ms Tumusiime noted that everyday across the continent consumers enjoy one or more of the vast range of products derived from sheep and goats which include milk, meat and leather products “that are all natural and of high quality and value marking, “the rearing of small ruminants is at the heart of the way of life of agro-pastoralists in Africa as well as the women and youth on the continent.”
She said that commercialization of the value chain in small ruminants is growing adding that the rearing and trading in sheep and goats creates thousands of jobs contributing to nutrition an foodsecurity for the livestock dependent communities as well as improving the livelihoods of may households in the rural parts of Africa.
Ms Tumusiime while addressing a meeting to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the African Union’s InterAfrica Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) said that the challenges posed by PPR ought to be addressed to in order to cushion communities that depend on sheep and goats, from slumping into poverty.
The former Commissioner in charge of Agriculture and Rural Development called for the eradication of PPR in order to increase the income of the youth and women in especially the agro-pastoral communities.
While urging member states to increase funding for research as well as the development of technologies that can aid in the eradication of PPR, Tumusiime said it is possible to eradicate the highly contagious disease the same way Rinderpest has been eradicated on the continent.
“The same way Africa has been able to eradicate rinderpest it will be successful in eradicating PPR if member states work with AU-IBAR in a co-ordinated manner,” said Rhoda Peace.
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The Former Commissioner with the African Union Commission Rhoda Peace Tumusiime, says that PPR (Pestes de Petit Ruminants) disease in livestock especially the sheep and goats is causing a menace and negatively impacting livelihoods across the continent in the agro-pastoral areas.
Ms Tumusiime noted that everyday across the continent consumers enjoy one or more of the vast range of products derived from sheep and goats which include milk, meat and leather products “that are all natural and of high quality and value marking, “the rearing of small ruminants is at the heart of the way of life of agro-pastoralists in Africa as well as the women and youth on the continent.”
She said that commercialization of the value chain in small ruminants is growing adding that the rearing and trading in sheep and goats creates thousands of jobs contributing to nutrition an foodsecurity for the livestock dependent communities as well as improving the livelihoods of may households in the rural parts of Africa.
Ms Tumusiime while addressing a meeting to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the African Union’s InterAfrica Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) said that the challenges posed by PPR ought to be addressed to in order to cushion communities that depend on sheep and goats, from slumping into poverty.
The former Commissioner in charge of Agriculture and Rural Development called for the eradication of PPR in order to increase the income of the youth and women in especially the agro-pastoral communities.
While urging member states to increase funding for research as well as the development of technologies that can aid in the eradication of PPR, Tumusiime said it is possible to eradicate the highly contagious disease the same way Rinderpest has been eradicated on the continent.
“The same way Africa has been able to eradicate rinderpest it will be successful in eradicating PPR if member states work with AU-IBAR in a co-ordinated manner,” said Rhoda Peace.
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The African Union – InterAfrica Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) says limited resources are slowing down the implementation of an effectively coordinated PPR eradication Programme throughout Africa.
The AU-IBAR Acting Director Dr. Nick Nwankpa says despite the progress made in the implementation of the 1st Phase of the Programme, “the currently available resources are limited and do not allow for the implementation of an effectively coordinated PPR eradication Programme throughout Africa,” said Dr. Nwankpa during the first day of the two day commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the existence of AU-IBAR as a specialized institution of the African Union Commission.
He notes that the situation is further complicated by the lack of funds for PPR (Pestes de Petit Ruminants) eradication activities in most Member States and for regional coordination by the Regional Economic Communities (RECs). “This has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and therefore there is a scarcity of funds from member states to support the implementation of the Pan-African programme,” he added.
The Acting Director further called on the African Union member states to follow through on what was agreed at the Fourth Ordinary Session of the Specialized Technical Committee (STC) on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and Environment for renewed commitment for enhanced progress towards control and eradication of PPR by 2030.
Dr. Nwankpa said that the Specialized Technical Committee urged African Union member states to include PPR control and eradication “as a priority in their National Agriculture Investment Plans (NAIPs) and in key negotiations with development partners in order to ensure adequate budgetary allocations and disbursements for the effective and timely implementation of the PPR National Strategies.”
As the 70 years old organization marks its anniversary, the Acting Director said that just as the successful eradication of Rinderpest, “the eradication of PPR will be a key step towards the realization of our vision for an Africa in which animal resources contribute significantly to the integration, prosperity and peace of the African Community.”
Speaking when he officially launched the 2nd Phase of the Pan-Africa Programme for the eradication of Pestes de Petit Ruminants for the period 2022-2026, Dr. Nwankpa said that AU-IBAR is expected to enhance pan-African coordination, networking and partnerships in Animal Resources development and to provide support to Member States, in terms of technical resources and tools, for an effective implementation of their policies and strategies.
PPR livestock disease is a trans-boundary animal disease and currently endemic in nearly the whole of Africa. This disease was first reported in 1871, but was scientifically recognized in a case which was reported in Cote d’Ivoire in 1942. Since then, it has rapidly spread to the rest of Africa, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Asia, where it continues to cause the devastation of sheep and goats. Its control and eradication require a phased, risk-based approach with well-coordinated and harmonised activities across all regions.
The disease is characterized by rapid spread among small ruminants, and high death rates in the affected animals, plus high economic impacts in areas of Africa where small ruminants contribute to guaranteeing livelihoods.
PPR is considered one of the main constraints in augmenting the productivity of small ruminants in developing countries and particularly severely affects poor farmer’s economy.
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