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Agrarian
and Rural Development Conference declaration
Agrarian
Conference
November 29, 2010
Aware of the existence of historical
development imbalances in Africa and need to address the same, we
recognize that agriculture and rural livelihoods in all their facets
are central for the attainment of the broader societal objectives
of growth and development. We however, note that most of the people
in Africa live in rural areas where forests and natural resources
are located, and food and export crops are produced on the land
that provides belonging and meaning for people;
Noting
that in a rapidly changing world Africa has to take responsibility
to identify its own future development path based on African values,
traditions, cultural diversity, identities and institutions, knowledge,
resources and aspirations;
Noting
that Africa's land and natural resources are under intensified
pressures from external interests, and that there are rapid land
acquisitions in most parts of Africa with potential to prejudice
African people;
Valuing
the significant role of academia in critical analysis of the issues
surrounding agrarian and rural development in Africa, we believe
that there is need for researchers, policy makers in governments,
regional and global institutions, and practitioners to reconnect
and formulate strategies to make agriculture and rural livelihoods
work for the development of Africa grounded on knowledge and realities
on the continent; As academics, practitioners and policy makers
in the conference we affirm that Africa's transformation will
need to carry forward the best features of its societal and cultural
diversity and at the same time be inclusive in terms of economic
growth in order to meet people's needs and employment, enhance
food security and promote environmental sustainability;
Acknowledging
the vast cultural differences related to agricultural and rural
development in the represented countries, there is need to identify
opportunities and constraints that emerge from global change process
that affect Africa as a whole.Now therefore: The conference on "Agrarian
and Rural Development in Africa: Rethinking and Reconnecting Academia
in Africa's Agrarian and Rural Development" declares
as follows:
1. Academia
need to develop forward looking research agendas through robust
empirical work that guide and support the formulation of development
strategies at national, regional and global levels, with the aim
to make the assumptions and content of current development theories
and models relevant for African conditions, values and complexities;
2. Academia
need to put emphasis on developing knowledge and implementation
of strategies that can contribute to land tenure security for agricultural
producers that can marry the best features of historical land ownership
patterns with the demands on land and resources emerging from population
increase, economic change and global intervention processes;
3. Promote the
interests of women farmers on the continent through representing
their interests at all levels to make it possible for them to benefit
from Africa's land and natural resources for themselves, their
families and communities;
4. Need to support
the development of strategies related to agricultural production
and water management that can make Africa food secure on the basis
of its own land labour and resources. In this vein, issues of HIV
and AIDS will require focused attention;
5. Need to influence
and make governments and citizens accountable for climate change
and to strive to encourage governments, regional and global institutions
to formulate policies and strategies to mitigate climate change
in Africa;
6. Contribute
to strategies that can make Africa benefit from participation in
the global food, natural resources and energy markets by outlining
the conditions that need to be fulfilled for foreign investments
in and partnerships with Africa to be beneficial to Africa and its
people;
7. Influence
the development of the frameworks and guidelines to resist unjust
land and natural resources takeover by foreign interest for biofuels,
food that are connected with excessive profit making by the external
interests;
8. Will strive to support Africa to develop its own investment and
empowerment policies to address the goals of agrarian and rural
development;
9. Amplify the
voice and interests of smallholder farmers on the African continent
through research and imparting of knowledge for them to protect
their interests and resources;
10. Need to develop insights and ideas, in partnership with local
communities and agencies, as to how to support institutional development,
informal and formal, at local levels that will widen the space for
people to influence their own situation and future.
Background
Thank you very
much to all who made it to Harare for an engaging conference on
Agrarian and Rural Development. We thank the Swedish Interdisciplinary
Research Network, the Nordic Africa Institute and Ruzivo Trust for
funding and organising the conference.
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