Home » Agribusiness Farmers put trade under the spotlight AgribusinessEventsInvestmentLatest NewsSustainability Farmers put trade under the spotlight 14 ViewsThe Southern African Confederation of Agricultural Unions (SACAU) recently held its Annual Conference under the theme, “Trade as a driver for agricultural transformation in southern Africa”. The event attracted about 100 delegates drawn from the leadership of national farmers’ unions/associations from most southern African countries, the government of Zimbabwe, representatives of intergovernmental agencies, international development agencies, the private sector, research and development agencies and trade experts. “It is regrettable that African countries spend between $30bn and $50bn annually on imports of agricultural products, instead of developing the productive capacities necessary for trade. Mr Ishmael Sunga, the CEO of SACAU, observed that whilst trade was a critical link between markets and production, its performance in transforming the agricultural sector in southern Africa had been less than satisfactory. The high import bill and low share in global trade means that there is significant scope for a trade-driven agricultural transformation”, he added.

Source: The North Africa Journal May 28, 2018 13:41 UTC