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There has been an ongoing agriculture crisis - also a crisis of poverty, livelihoods, and food production - across many African countries. Many have become more and more reliant on food imports in the last 2-3 decades and are increasingly losing their food production capacities. This has had deep ramifications for countries' food security, rural livelihoods, capacity to respond to climate change, and also countries' trade balance and budgets. This event will look at the direction and likely impacts of African countries' agricultural trade policies. Panellists will also examine the international trade environment, and particularly whether it is helping or hindering African agricultural production and food security, as well as the challenges of climate change and implications for Africa's food security. Finally, the panel will provide recommendations for agricultural policies and domestic as well as international trade policies that can support food security, rural livelihoods, employment and the sustainable use of environmental resources.

Speakers

• Martin Bwalya, Head, Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP)
• Stevenson Nzaramba, Regional Trade & Agribusiness Advisor of the Eastern Africa Farmers Federation, Nairobi, Kenya
• Mamadou Cissokho, Honorary President, Réseau des Organisations Paysannes et des Producteurs Agricoles d'Afrique de l'Ouest (ROPPA)
• Aileen Kwa, Coordinator, Trade for Development Programme of the South Centre
• Jacques Berthelot, Analyst of agricultural trade policies, Solidarité
• Yash Tandon, International Political Economist, Oxford, U.K. and former Executive Director, South Centre
• Jane Nalunga, Country Director, Southern and Eastern Africa Trade Information and Negotiations Institute, (SEATINI), Uganda