African countries urged to invest more on agriculture

Equatorial Guinea President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has asked African countries to invest heavily in their agricultural sector to decrease their dependence on the developed world, ensure food security, and significantly reduce hunger in their countries. He made this remarks at the closing session of the Assembly of Heads of State of the African Union (AU), which held recently.

Obiang said Africa should re-orientate itself to ensure its independence and security of African states through the safe production of its own consumer goods. “Africa cannot be content to continue with the current dependence on the economies of the developed world. Africa is sailing upstream against a dependency that prevents them from moving toward sustainable development. Africa should rethink its relationship with the developed world to reduce as far as possible the gap that prevents access to development.

“The development of agriculture can greatly reduce this dependence. Africa can ensure food security and significantly reduce hunger in our countries. Africa should heavily invest in agricultural development to transform itself in order to accelerate growth to increase production and productivity,” said Obiang.

He proposed to the African Union the establishment of a programme that focuses on the organisation and exploitation of markets to promote trade and food security, and to eradicate hunger, malnutrition and rural poverty. This will also reinforce the fight against climate change and agriculture.