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Showing posts with label member states increase. Show all posts
Showing posts with label member states increase. Show all posts

Friday, November 14, 2014

COMESA, AFAP in joint fertilizer programme




The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP) have entered a joint fertilizer programme to enhance member-states increase in supply and use of fertilizer among smallholder farmers, reports NaijaAgroNet.
 The programme, NaijaAgroNet gathered is expected to catalyse agribusiness development for rural transformation.
Speaking at the launch of the Joint Fertilizer Harmonisation Programme, AFAP president, Jason Scarpone, told NaijaAgroNet in a press statement that the goal of the cooperation is to enhance regional trade in fertilizer and food staples, food security and incomes by strengthening small and medium enterprises that are essential for increasing competitiveness and integrating farmers into national, regional and international market to catalyse rural transformation.
NaijaAgroNet also gathered from the Vice President, Partnerships and Communication at AFAP, Professor Richard Mkandawire who endorsed the press statement that COMESA and AFAP have committed themselves to working together in establishing a fertilizer trade facility comprising a set of financial instruments through investments in medium enterprises working along the fertilizer value chain.
He noted that this partnership would strengthen the Eastern and Southern Africa Fertilizer Stakeholders’ Forum as an avenue for sustained dialogue between the public and private sector in catalysing the growth of fertilizer markets in the region.

Describing the deal as a landmark achievement that would spur the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) agricultural growth agenda for COMESA member states.

Also commenting, COMESA’s Secretary General, Sindiso Ngwenya said the partnership would boost private sector investment in fertilizer production, supply and use in the region is a major priority.

“The AFAP model in enhancing use and usage of fertiliser is a proven instrument for rural transformation” Ngwenya said.

+Naija AgroNet +Remmy Nweke (ITRealms) +CAADP - Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme  @COMESA
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