Elevate farmers to key drivers of food security
At the 6th edition of the Africa Resilience Forum (https://apo-opa.co/4h4wohb), held in Abidjan from October 1–3, agricultural specialists called on African governments to elevate the role of farmers — transforming them from aid recipients into key drivers of food security.
Roland Fomundam, CEO of Greenhouse Ventures, a Cameroonian agritech company, stressed that agriculture remains a major activity in crisis zones. He noted that while peace and development are often discussed together, food security must also be recognized as essential for peace. “It’s time we include farmers in shaping agricultural policies,” he said. “Too often, decisions are made without their input. We must engage them directly to design solutions that truly address their needs.”
Beth Bechdol, Deputy Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), supported this view, emphasizing that farmers are the real private sector. “They invest, innovate, and solve problems daily. To create real impact, we must work better together and measure our progress — for instance, by tracking how much we’ve improved farmers’ incomes over time,” she stated.
These remarks came during a panel titled “Achieving Resilient and Transformative Impact for Large-Scale Food Security in Africa,” held on the Forum’s second day.
Other participants included Abdilhakim Yusuf Ali Ainte, Director of Food Security and Climate in Somalia’s Office of the Prime Minister; Martin Fregene, Director of Agriculture and Agribusiness at the African Development Bank (AfDB); Rania Dagash-Kamara, Deputy Executive Director for Partnerships at the World Food Programme (WFP); and Kenyan agripreneur Felista Nyakio.
Ainte highlighted Somalia’s success in mobilizing $6 billion from the private sector to strengthen food systems and save lives. “The private sector is our greatest asset. We must invite it to the table to create lasting, sustainable solutions,” he said.
Fregene added that rebuilding Africa’s food systems requires building on what already exists rather than starting anew. “Small and medium-sized enterprises produce most of what we eat. We should focus on helping them scale, remain resilient, and expand,” he explained. He noted that the AfDB supports producers through direct financing, innovation, climate-resilient infrastructure, access to inputs, and farmer training programs.
Nyakio urged a cultural shift in how farming is perceived. “Agriculture is often seen as menial work,” she said. “We must help farmers feel valued and inspire children to see farming as a proud and rewarding path.”
The Africa Resilience Forum, organized by the African Development Bank Group, convened policymakers and development leaders under the theme “Prevention for Better Action: Financing Peace in a Context of Development Cooperation in Transition.” The event aimed to strengthen preventive measures and promote investments that foster peace and resilience across the continent.
