Uganda's State Minister Hon. Florence Nambozo Advocates for Agricultural Transformation at the "World Without Hunger" Conference in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - November 2024*

By John Kusolo

Hon. Florence Nambozo Wamala, Uganda's Minister of State for Karamoja Affairs and Woman Member of Parliament for Sironko District, represented Uganda at the prestigious World Without Hunger Conference held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The three-day event, organized by the Ethiopian government in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the African Union (AU), also received technical support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Attended by over 1,500 delegates, including African heads of state, government ministers, and private sector leaders from around the world, the conference was a call to action to eradicate hunger and promote food security across Africa.

Opening the conference, the Director General of UNIDO Gerd Müller highlighted the urgency of achieving a world free of hunger. In a powerful address, he noted, “With this conference, we are making a courageous statement: A world without hunger is possible. Africa, as a continent with immense growth potential, has a significant role to play in realizing this vision. This challenge demands priority on the global agenda.”

He underscored that achieving this goal requires not only commitment but also international cooperation, innovative financing, and strategic interventions that prioritize food production, distribution, and income generation.

*Hon. Florence* *Nambozo’s Vision for Uganda and Africa’s Agricultural Transformation*

On the third day of the conference, Hon. Nambozo took the stage as a keynote speaker. She began her address by expressing her gratitude to God for the opportunity to represent Uganda in such transformative conversations. She extended thanks to UNIDO, the African Union, and the Ethiopian government for organizing the conference, recognizing the importance of such gatherings in addressing issues of hunger and food security across the continent.

“Being part of these transformative discussions is both an honor and a call to action,” Hon. Nambozo stated. “Hunger is a solvable challenge. With the right strategies, partnerships, and resources, we can create an Africa where no child goes to bed hungry.”

*Uganda’s Initiatives: The Parish Development Model and the 4-Acre Model*

Hon. Nambozo highlighted Uganda’s commitment to agricultural development through initiatives like the Parish Development Model (PDM) and the 4-Acre Model, both of which focus on empowering small holder farmers. These initiatives, launched under the leadership of President Yoweri Museveni, aim to boost agricultural productivity and improve household incomes by encouraging diversification and efficient land use.

“The PDM and 4-Acre Model are rooted in the understanding that sustainable agriculture requires a blend of traditional farming techniques and modern innovation,” Hon. Nambozo explained. “These models are designed to elevate small holder farmers, helping them achieve food security while also enabling them to generate income.”

Throughout her address, Hon. Nambozo emphasized the need for global cooperation in the fight against hunger. “Ending hunger is not just a national issue; it is a global responsibility,” she remarked. She stressed that governments, international organizations, private-sector actors, and other stakeholders must work together to ensure that farmers have the resources they need to succeed, from access to quality seeds and irrigation systems to infrastructure that minimizes post-harvest losses.

Hon. Nambozo also underscored the importance of policies and programs that can adapt to the evolving challenges posed by climate change and global economic instability. She called for greater investment in climate-resilient agriculture and regional trade policies that empower local producers and enhance Africa’s food sovereignty.

The World Without Hunger conference comes at a critical time, with over 733 million people worldwide facing hunger, according to a recent FAO report. Factors such as economic shocks, climate variability, conflicts, and high dependency on food imports have exacerbated the hunger crisis. According to current projections, hunger levels by 2030 may exceed those recorded in 2015, underscoring the urgent need for innovative and sustainable solutions.

While speaking on these challenges, Hon. Nambozo acknowledged the complexities but also pointed to opportunities. “Africa produces more food per inhabitant than ever before, but we must address the disconnect between where food is produced and where it is needed,” she said. She advocated for income-generating approaches that prioritize productivity and value addition in agrifood systems, ensuring that farmers are not only able to feed themselves but also contribute to local and regional markets.

Hon. Nambozo joined fellow speakers in highlighting the need for investments in agrifood processing, rural infrastructure, and vocational training as key drivers for agricultural transformation. She underscored that investments in value-added processing and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are particularly effective in reducing post-harvest losses, creating jobs, and supporting food security across Africa.

However, she cautioned that financing remains a barrier, particularly for smaller agrifood SMEs. She called for innovative financing solutions, such as supply chain finance, loan guarantees, and priority sector lending, to bridge the gap for small producers and enterprises that need loans between $25,000 and $2 million.

“Providing farmers and SMEs with affordable access to finance is essential for fostering resilience and self-sufficiency in African agrifood systems,” she stated.

Hon. Nambozo concluded her address by reaffirming Uganda’s commitment to contributing to a hunger-free Africa. She urged the conference participants to foster stronger collaborations, share best practices, and support each other in building resilient and inclusive food systems across the continent.

“The dream of a world without hunger is within reach,” Hon. Nambozo said. “With our collective efforts, we can achieve food security for all Africans, creating a prosperous future for generations to come.”

The World Without Hunger conference concluded with a renewed commitment from all participants to put hunger eradication at the forefront of Africa’s development agenda. By addressing the structural challenges that drive hunger and investing in income-generating solutions, Africa has the potential to not only feed itself but also become a global food supplier.

The message delivered by Hon. Nambozo and other leaders at the conference is clear: a world without hunger is possible. With coordinated efforts, smart investments, and unwavering resolve, the goal of achieving zero hunger by 2030 can be realized for Africa and the world at large.