"Rwanda is proud to host this event. The issues facing the agricultural sector must be tackled and this sector must be at the forefront of ensuring jobs and food for communities across the region," he said, reinforcing the title of this year's forum, 'The Agri-Food sector: A Catalyst for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth in Africa'.
Alongside him, EMRC's president, Pierre Mathijsen, told the audience that Africa's potential was enormous and that the continent should focus on reducing the imports of food and focus on becoming a food exporter to the world. Rwanda's Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Agnes Kalibata, and Nigeria's Federal Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Akinwunmi Adesina, then took their turn to address the 400 participants attending the four-day forum.
Kalibata focused on the need to include private sector initiatives to empower the country's farming communities and recognised the need for public-private partnerships across the board. Adesina spotlighted his ministry's drive to diversify from oil dependency and highlighting the success of the country's renewed focus on agriculture.
This opening session was then followed by plenary sessions and workshops focusing on sustainability and inclusivity in the Agri-Food chain.
