However, Africa’s agricultural potentials cannot be fully maximized without dealing with its challenges. Farmers across Africa, unlike their global counterparts, face challenges that go beyond pests, diseases, damaging water, etc. Their challenges mostly border on lack of access to the necessary input required to boost productivity.

The majority of Africans depend on agriculture for their livelihood. As regards to this, boosting agricultural growth will scale income and the living conditions of Africans. Considering that one of the most effective ways to boost the use of local products and services and generate economic growth is by scaling the growth of the agricultural sector.

See also: UAE’s Interest in Non-oil Trade Relations with African Countries

Agricultural growth propels economic development which will be unachievable without significant investments in the sector. Investments in the agricultural sector cut across; Inputs e.g. Fertilizer and Hybrid seed; Infrastructure e.g. Irrigation, Storage, Electricity, Technology, Roads, Ports, etc.; Markets e.g. Trade; policies, regional and international trade flows, off-take markets. When these are carried out properly, jobs will be created across all investment sectors.

To properly deal with Africa’s agricultural challenges, there is a need to collaborate, cooperate and network at multiple levels. Which is the platform Meet the Farmers Conference (MTFC) 2019 aims to provide.

MTFC is the largest agro conference that connects agro stakeholders from Africa and the GCC. The conference aims to produce a healthy environment, economic profitability, and innovations, in a bid to drive business partnerships that will foster formidable agricultural growth.

The conference will feature a presentation from Leonie Hartmann the CEO of Avagro. He will be speaking on the topic ‘How to Deal with Agricultural Challenges in Africa’.

More on MTFC:

• Creating a Sustainable Future In Agriculture
• The Role of Dubai as an International Trade Hub for Businesses in Africa
• The role of African Farmers in Achieving Zero Hunger and Global Food Security
• Where this is found in Africa Series – an Expository of African Cash Crops
• Highlights of Agriculture in North Africa

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History has it that coffee originated from Ethiopia but was transported by some Yemenis who obtained the beans from Somali traders traveling to the Middle East. This happened as far back as the mid-15th century, serving as evidence of the trade relationship between both regions. 

In 2016, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce reported that non-oil trade between Africa and the UAE amounted to $24 billion. The UAE serves as a major re-exporting hub for African commodities.

The government provides ease of doing business by making the process seamless and digitized. Inter-regional trade is supported by a wide range of initiatives aimed at facilitating export-import relationships.

See also: The Role of Dubai as an International Trade Hub for Businesses in Africa

Dubai in the UAE has become a preferred location for conferences focused on non-oil trade between Africa and the Middle East. 

One of such conferences is Meet the Farmers Conference, an annual agro conference that brings together agro stakeholders from Africa to connect and partner with off-takers in the UAE. Its mission is to provide African farmers with opportunities to access global markets, using Dubai as a trade hub.

Now in its third year, the conference is focusing on the theme, Creating a Sustainable Future. The conference will be held on the 27th & 28th of November 2019 at the Address Hotel Marina, Dubai UAE.

The Special Guest of Honor of Meet the Farmers Conference (MTFC 2019) is H.E Juma Mohamed Al Kait, the Assistant Undersecretary for Foreign Trade Affairs, Ministry of Economy. He will be speaking extensively on the UAE’s Interest in Trading with African Countries. Attend the conference to learn about the several initiatives that promote bilateral trade between Africa and the UAE.

Click to register here.

More on MTFC:

• Creating a Sustainable Future In Agriculture
• The role of African Farmers in Achieving Zero Hunger and Global Food Security
• World Bank & Kenya’s Ministry of Agriculture Launches Agritech Incubator Program
• Finnfund Invests US$2.86 million In Tanzania’s Africado Farm
• Nigerian Agricultural Sector Introduces Smart Seed Labeling Technology to Eliminate Low-Quality Seeds

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Dubai’s strategic location is one of the major drivers of inter-regional trade with Africa. The commercial transparency and ease of doing business in Dubai foster international trade between Africa and the UAE. Statistics from the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry shows that trade-relations between Dubai and Africa amounted to Dh577 billion from 2012 to 2016. About 95% of Dubai’s Gross Domestic Product is non-oil based and it is estimated that non-oil trade relations with Africa are worth over $19.1 billion.  

Africa is rich in the production of natural resources and raw materials for industrial development. The continent also boasts of fertile lands and favorable weather conditions suitable for the cultivation of agro produce that is greatly on-demand in the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Despite the vast resources in the continent, Africa lacks enough capital, resources, and infrastructure to fuel economic developments. The emergence of small and medium enterprises of the private sector, urbanization and the fast-growing population are some of the factors that facilitate business relations with the Emirates. 

This makes Dubai the linking hub between the resource-rich Africa, the GCC, Asia, and European markets. The city provides easy access to fast-growing economies that have the capital to invest in Africa. Dubai, therefore, serves as the gateway for emergent businesses in Africa to access opportunities in new markets.

Meet the Farmers Conference is the largest agro conference that brings together agro stakeholders from Africa and the GCC. It sheds light on the trade and investment opportunities in the continent and provides a platform for agro-trade relations between both regions. MTFC seeks to create a sustainable future for agriculture, leveraging the strategic location of Dubai to gather leaders, decision-makers, investors and agribusiness men.

At the event, Omar Khan, the Director of International Offices at Dubai Chamber of Commerce will be speaking on the topic ‘Dubai as an International Trade Hub for Agriculture.’ He will emphasize the role that the city plays in facilitating international trade between other neighboring regions, especially for Africa.

More on MTFC:

• The role of African Farmers in Achieving Zero Hunger and Global Food Security
• UN Appoints Aliko Dangote and Akinwumi Adesina to Tackle Global Malnutrition
• Where this is found in Africa Series – an Expository of African Cash Crops
• Global food demand to grow by 15% over next decade- OECD, FAO
• Highlights of Agriculture in North Africa

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Cross section of attendees at the Official Launch and Media Briefing

Meet the Farmers Conference is our annual event that attracts a large number of Africans involved in the agricultural value chain, government officials and large scale exporters of agro-produce. Now in its third edition, Meet the Farmers Conference is the first of its kind agro conference that converges the Middle East and Africa. We aim to create an avenue for large scale agro commodity stakeholders from Africa and the Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) to discuss, liaise, and proffer long-term solutions to food insecurity in the GCC region and to form profitable partnerships.

The Rwandan media launch event was graced by partners, top Agro-stakeholders from Rwanda, government officials, CEPAR, the media and officials from the Eastern African Council. Attendees had the chance to learn, network and find out means of partaking in the agro-trade relationship between Africa and the Middle East. Meet the Farmers Conference 2019 will be preceded by 12 media launches across Africa and the Middle East.

A speaker at the Official Launch and Media Briefing

During the media launch event, it was announced that the 2019 edition of Meet the Farmers Conference is scheduled to take place at the Marina Hotel, Dubai UAE, on the 27th and 28th of November 2019. The event is themed “Creating a Sustainable Future: for Food Security, Trade and Technology.

Attendee speaking during the Media Briefing

Meet the Farmers Conference 2019 media launch Rwanda is the fourth for the year. Our first media launch was held at the Intercontinental Hotel, Nairobi Kenya on June 14th, 2019. The media launch events are precursory to the Meet the Farmers Conference 2019.
Registration is still ongoing for attendees, sponsors and partners. Interested? Click here to register.

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The news was tweeted by the African Union Commissioner for Trade and Industry Albert Muchanga: “Good news! The Parliament of The Gambia has APPROVED ratification of #AfCFTA  Agreement making us meet the minimum threshold. The AfCFTA market is being born and is one step ready for launch of its operational phase in July this year”.

The motion was brought before the Gambian parliament by Lamin Jobe, Gambia’s Trade Minister who highlighted the trade benefits of deeper regional integration.

See also: MTFC announces 2nd edition of Innov8Agric Challenge to promote Innovation in Agric Entrepreneurship

“This document will definitely serve as a take-off point to enhance the free movement of people, good and services. By using this there is a lot of advantages that we can gain from the implementation of this agreement,” he said.

On March 21st, Ethiopia became one of the last African nations to ratify AfCFTA, bringing the tally of endorsing countries to 21. The agreement, signed by 49 of the 55 African Union nations in March last year, will bridge the gap of trade regulations and tariffs that makes intra-African commerce costly, time-consuming and cumbersome. The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa estimates that the agreement will boost intra-African trade by up to 52% in 2022.

The promotion of tariff-free movement of goods, people and services across the continent is also expected to favor SMEs, who account for 80% of Africa’s employment and 50% of its GDP, according to the World Bank.

The countries that ratified the agreement include: Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Guinea, Ethiopia, Eswatini (former Swaziland), Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Namibia, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Togo, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

The AfCFTA Agreement will enter into force, 30 days after the required number of ratifications have been deposited with the AU. This will be the largest in the world in terms of participating countries since the formation of the World Trade Organization.

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• Colorado Lawmakers Explore Blockchain Technology in Agriculture
• Wildlife Poaching In Africa
• Farmers Corner: Why You Should Visit the Farmers Market
• Precision Farming in Agriculture
• Investment Opportunities in Africa You Can Tap Into

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Regional economic communities (RECs) such as ECOWAS, Southern African Development Community (SADC), and East African Community (EAC) were created to boost trade among African countries. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was established in 1975 with the main goal of promoting economic integration among its 15 member countries.

The need for intra-country trade within Africa cannot be over-emphasized because of the benefits it holds as regards economic growth and stability. But a major constraint is the prevalence of raw materials and not processed goods in Africa. Primary products exported includes petroleum, cotton, maize, cocoa, tea, sugar, vegetables etc. Manufactured goods includes yarn, medicines, iron, steel, chemicals and industrial equipment.  

Findings from the World Bank shows that higher trade taxes is one of the major factors that discourage trade among African countries. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recommends further liberation if the continent is to improve. Eliminating the tariffs on goods traded within various regions and creation of free trade zones like those in the GCC will encourage intra-country trade in Africa.

Possible Solutions

Infrastructure – In order to allow trade flow, there is need for investment in physical infrastructure like roads, railways, power lines and air services.  Infrastructural development is crucial to intra-African Trade.

See also: A promising new continent-wide trade agreement for Africa

Digitization – Mobile and other digital solutions are fostering communication in the world. Financial services can be easily accessed even in remote regions with the help of financial services from fintech solutions.

Technology – Integrating technologies like block chain into agribusinesses can be used to support small farmers by providing them with finance transactions in the food supply chain. Farmers, consumers, and traders can register and share information with maximum safety, transparency and speed.

Free-Trade Zones – The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), signed by 49 African countries in Kigali, Rwanda, 2018 is meant to create a tariff-free continent that can grow local businesses, boost intra-African trade, prompt industrialization and create jobs. This, when implemented can help countries integrate into a sustainable world economy

Finance – Financial investment in African indigenous agribusinesses will improve the quality of exportable goods and create an opening for infrastructural development in the agricultural sector. This will also create more job opportunities and employments.

Prominent inhibitors of Africa’s intra-continent trade include taxation and tariff charges, inefficient transport systems, limited financing, communication etc. If properly tackled, Africa will emerge as a major stakeholder in the global market and intra-continental trade is a good place to start.

More on MTFC:

• All you Need to Know Before Exporting to the UAE
• Afreximbank Releases $100 million Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA)
• Gracia Farms Looks to Partner with Meet the Farmers Conference for Sustainable Agriculture
• Leveraging on Meet The Farmers Conference for Agricultural Business Funds
• Finnfund Invests US$2.86 million In Tanzania’s Africado Farm

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