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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