Eric Opoku calls for sustained gov’t investment in agriculture across Africa

Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has called on African governments to increase and sustain investment in agriculture to boost development across the continent.

Speaking at the 4th Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family, Sovereignty and Values on Thursday, the minister said agriculture remains central to Africa’s economic future and requires stronger financial commitment from governments.

Mr. Opoku expressed concern that despite repeated continental commitments, many countries continue to allocate inadequate resources to the sector.

“In some countries, Agriculture receives less than one percent of the national budget, others advocate only 2 or 3 percent while some provide as little as 0.6%,” he said.

He argued that such allocations fall far short of what is needed to transform the sector and support national development objectives.

“Such levels of investments are inadequate for a sector that employs the majority of Africa’s workforce, feeds our population and holds the key to industrialization, poverty reduction and economic growth,” he stated.

According to the minister, agriculture remains one of the most important sectors on the continent, providing livelihoods for millions of people while supporting food security and economic stability.

He noted that African governments had already committed themselves to prioritising the sector through continental agreements aimed at unlocking its potential.

“Through the Maputo Declaration of 2003 and the Kampala Declaration, our governments pledged to allocate at least 10% of their national budgets to Agriculture and rural development as a means of unlocking the continent’s vast agricultural potential and accelerating economic transformation,” he said.

Mr. Opoku, however, indicated that implementation of those commitments has been uneven across the continent.

“However, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Evidence across the continent suggests that many countries are yet to fulfill this commitment,” he added.

He urged African governments to match their policy commitments with increased budgetary support for agriculture and rural development, stressing that sustained investment in the sector is essential for boosting productivity, creating jobs, reducing poverty and driving long-term economic transformation across Africa.