Panel discussants during the 33rd FAO African Conference in Rabat, Morocco

As part of its mandate to promote networking and information sharing on policy issues, AFRACA honored an invitation by the FAO chief of the African region to participate in the 33rd FAO African Conference. Held from April 18-20, 2024, at the Sofitel Hotel in Rabat, Morocco, this Ministerial conference brought together over 300 participants, including Ministers of Agriculture from all African countries, their respective delegations, private sector players, and development partners. The overarching theme of the conference was “Resilient Agrifood Systems and Inclusive Rural Transformation.”

The conference provided a platform for policy discussions centered around FAO’s support to African countries and the corresponding policy actions and outcomes in agrifood systems transformation. Reports and presentations showcased FAO’s invaluable work in helping countries overcome agricultural challenges, with a strong emphasis on increasing productivity and production to transform agrifood systems, reduce hunger, and achieve food security.

The event was structured into country presentations and expert panel discussions, followed by sessions for questions and comments. One of the highlights was Morocco’s presentation, which detailed numerous agricultural initiatives backed by scientific research. These initiatives have led to increased productivity in food systems and strengthened value chain linkages, enabling higher production levels for both domestic consumption and export. Morocco’s “blue belt initiative” promoting fishing and aquaculture was also showcased, highlighting the country’s significant strides in food systems resilience and increased farming exports since 2008.