Comesa calls for enhanced agricultural marketing systems

Comesa calls for enhanced agricultural marketing systems
Written by chama
Tuesday, March 31, 2009 4:56:35 PM

COMMON Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) secretary general for programmes Stephen Karangizi has called for poverty alleviation through enhanced agricultural marketing systems.

Speaking when he addressed the Project Steering Committee of the Agricultural Marketing and Regional Integration Project (AMPRIP) recently, Karangizi said it was important to promote agricultural products for the development of the continent.

He also encouraged safer trade in agricultural products.

Karangizi disclosed that the project had recorded significant progress since its inception four years ago, and urged the steering committee to work with the Comesa secretariat in expediting the completion of the project before it comes to an end in December 2009.

And Ugandan personal assistant to the Minister of State for Animal Industry Patience Rwemigisa underscored the importance of regional agricultural trade to economic development in general, and food security in particular.

Rwemigisa urged the committee to come up with strategies aimed at addressing the global food crises and escalating food prices in order to ensure food security at both regional and national levels.

AMPRIP was designed by Comesa through funding from the African Development Bank (AfDB).

The project is aimed at providing timely agricultural information as well as contributing to safe trade in agricultural products within the region.