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African agriculture promised EU funds
2008-07-18 10:36:51
By Nasser Kigwangallah
The European Union has committed euro one billion (about 183bn/-) to the development of infrastructure in the agricultural sector in Africa in the 2008/09 financial year.
The aim is to help the continent produce enough food to meet the needs of its people, according to EU Commissioner Louis Michel.
He made the remarks when announcing the package at a two-day meeting in Dar es Salaam yesterday on ways to accelerate regional integration in Eastern and Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean region.
Michel said rises in food prices were a major setback to economic development, adding that the EU funding would go into making farm implements more readily available and thus accelerating food production and uplifting the people’s economic development.
``In order to avoid the looming food crisis in the coming year, the European Union will give greater priority to the development of agriculture than ever before by transferring technology to Africa.
That will seek to help farmers have easier access to fertilisers and other farm inputs so that the region can become self-sufficient in food,`` he pointed out.
He exhorted leaders in the region to come up with a plan that would ensure the most judicious use of the money for the benefit of the people of Africa.
The commissioner said that was an achievable goal if the continent avoided religious and communal violence, civil wars and unfounded conflicts and placed a premium on peace and stability.
He confirmed that the EU would continue supporting the continent`s efforts to reach the Millennium Development Goals for the betterment of its people.
Michel hailed Tanzania for holding ``this meeting of a lifetime`` which has attracted delegates from blocs like SADC, COMESA, IGAD and the EU.
Inter-Regional Coordinating Committee (IRCC) chairman Juma Mwapachu said it had been a long journey since the committee was launched in 2003 principally to struggle for improved coordination and faster harmonisation of the regional programmes in Africa.
Mwapachu, who is also Secretary General of the East African Community, the heterogeneous character of member countries had not hindered them from making proud headway in forging unity of purpose and direction.
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