Children at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp Durumi in Abuja.
Da Silva however,
expressed worries that climate change, conflict, and social inequality
continue to present major challenges in the continent's quest for a
future free from hunger.
A statement from
FAO noted that while the overall proportion of Africans who are food
insecured has dropped, there were "significant variations" in the
numbers of food insecured from country to country.
"Africa's
economic performance remains robust with growth rates above the global
average. However, vulnerability to climate change is high, post-harvest
losses are considerable, natural resources are being depleted, and not
everyone is benefiting from the proceeds of the current strong economic
growth. Access to remunerative income, social protection systems and
decent employment opportunities remain narrow for too many rural
households," FAO's Director-General said in the news release.
He was speaking
at the official opening of the FAO's regional Conference for Africa held
this week in Abidjan with the Prime Minister of Côte d'Ivoire,
Daniel Kablan Duncan in attendance.
Graziano da Silva
urged Africa to continue to work together to harness the power of the
food and agriculture sector as a catalyst for inclusive growth, poverty
reduction and fighting hunger.
The conference's
theme ''Transforming African Agri-food systems for inclusive growth and
shared prosperity” mirrors the vision of the African Union and its
NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency to realise a renewed vision for
Africa's agriculture sector.
More than 300 people participated in the event, including 51 African ministers of agriculture.