Agriculture Ministers from the East African Community (EAC) have adopted a series of major policy, regulatory, and investment measures designed to transform regional food systems and eliminate food insecurity for 300 million people.
Meeting at the 19th Session of the Sectoral Council on Agriculture and Food Security, officials formally endorsed the ambitious EAC Regional Agri-Food Systems Investment Plan running from 2026 to 2035. The 10-year roadmap seeks to channel $1.5 billion annually into agricultural infrastructure, climate resilience, and digital technologies, with the goal of turning the region from a net food importer into a global agricultural powerhouse.
To boost competitiveness and slash a $2.5 billion annual food import bill, the Ministers approved strict guidelines to strengthen the EAC Rice Development Strategy. The measures include lowering non-tariff trade barriers, accelerating mechanisation, and launching a specialised “Rice Desk.”
Additionally, the council adopted new crop inspection procedures, a hazardous pesticide management strategy, and established the “Youth in Agri-Food Systems” platform to drive youth agribusiness employment across East Africa.
–ChannelAfrica/EAC–
