The Alliance for Commodity Trade in Eastern and Southern Africa (ACTESA) and the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at enhancing agriculture productivity and sustainability across the continent.

This collaboration marks a pivotal step in strengthening agriculture research, policies, and regulations to ensure small farmer-holder access to quality and affordable fertilizer.

The MoU, officially signed at the COMESA Secretariat in Lusaka, Zambia on January 21st, 2025, also included high-level discussions on strengthening regional partnerships to ensure coordinated efforts, sustainability, and inclusive economic development for the COMESA Member States.

ACTESA Chief Executive Officer, Dr John Mukuka, remarked on the relevance of ensuring smallholder farmers access to quality, accessible and affordable fertilizer in the region.

Dr Mukuka highlighted that the partnership with IFDC is crucial to coordinating and accelerating the implementation of the COMESA Fertilizer Regional Programme (COMFREP). COMFREP aims to improve smallholder farmer’s timely access to quality, and affordable fertilizers for the 21 COMESA Member States.

COMESA Director for Industry and Agriculture, Ms. Providence Mavubi, reiterated COMESA’s commitment to advancing smart agriculture initiatives aimed at improving the livelihood of farmers and ensuring food security in the region.

‘’We continue to ensure that the agriculture sector in the COMESA region is competitive through supporting agriculture extension services, investments in research, and supporting policy formulation and implementation for increased trade in agricultural produce,” She remarked.

IFDC president, Dr Hendrik Jan Warner Van Duijn underscored the importance of private sector engagement and partnerships in fostering agriculture productivity as a key economic driver.

“Agriculture restructuring and policy reforms are crucial in creating opportunities for smallholder farmers to produce most efficiently. Member states can leverage their respective agriculture initiatives and innovations to boost soil health and agriculture sustainability across the continent,” he said.

Together, COMESA through ACTESA and IFDC are committed to enhancing intra-regional agriculture trade by supporting small-holder farmers.