The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Mr Senzeni Zokwana, will deliver an address at the Agricultural Youth Summit at Nasrec in Johannesburg tomorrow morning (Monday, 23 June) before he jets off to the commemoration of the African Union (AU) Year of Agriculture in Equatorial Guinea.
The Minister's address is at 09h30 at the Rand Show.
The Agri-Youth Indaba is an annual event that seeks to empower and encourage young people to get active in the agriculture sector.
This Agicultural Youth Summit takes place as African leaders and head of states head to Equitorial Guinea in commemoration of the AU Year of Agriculture Summit, which is being held from the 20 to 27 June 2014 in the capital city of Malabo.
The African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government, during its 19th Ordinary Session, held in July 2012, declared the year 2014 to be the Year of Agriculture and Food Security in Africa, marking the 10th Anniversary of the adoption of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).
This year's commemoration calls for an agricultural revolution in Africa to help lift more than 85 million Africans out of poverty, create jobs for youth and women, and recommit to the 2003 Maputo Declaration. In 2003, Africa Union member states in Maputo, Mozambique pledged to increase the levels of investments in agriculture by 10% of their national budgets to drive agriculture growth, cut poverty and improve food security.
This year, the AU will have its commemoration under the theme: "Transforming Africa’s Agriculture for Shared Prosperity and Improved Livelihoods, through Harnessing Opportunities for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development".
South Africa's Minister Zokwana of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries will form part of South Africa's delegation.
Enquiries:
Palesa Mokomele
Spokesperson of the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Cell: 082 904 1908
Tel: 012 319 7876 (PTA) or 021 467 4502 (CPT)
Fax: 012 319 6681 (PTA) or 021 465 6550 (CPT)
E-mail: PalesaM@daff.gov.za
