To this end, the second session of the fourth Climate Talks in Africa, on the theme, "Building Climate Resilience for Improved Human Security in the Sahel Region" is a timely opportunity to reflect on the climate challenges that compromise food security on the continent.
In a context of global warming and climate change, food security in Africa is decreasing due to flooding, famine, drought and political conflicts. The region remains an importer of food products of 3,000 billion dollars which will increase to 10,000 billion in 10 years according to the African Development Bank (ADB).
Solutions to boost the agricultural chain are not lacking; strengthening systems on water availability and control, soil fertilization, research on seeds adapted to climate change, development of urban agriculture, the fight against pollution in agricultural areas, strengthening security in conflict areas are innovative approaches to save the future generation.
Strengthening the agricultural system also involves the private sector that provides capital, academics for scientific research, youth and women for the abundant labor force.
Resilient programs are already being implemented in the West African sub-region with the Permanent Inter-State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS), the launch of the Food System Resilience Program. Food System Resilience Program in West Africa (FSRP) which brings together four countries (Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Togo).
"The dynamics of agricultural growth in the face of climate change will be achieved through the development of agricultural areas, agricultural mechanisms, increased agricultural budgets by States, financing of financial institutions to the agricultural sector, fisheries, livestock, access to markets, promotion of local consumption, and processing of agricultural products," said Mahamadou Nissirou Ba, head of economic affairs, technology, climate change and natural resources division at the ECA.

The other opportunity to be seized on the continent in the face of the resilience of agriculture to climate change is the development of good trade practices. The role of trade in the food system in Africa is not to be overlooked in the value chain. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was intended to increase intra-African trade by promoting exports and imports.
"Policies must take into account this large market with 1.2 billion people. It is an undeniable solution to develop agribusiness in Africa. With trade we can feed Africa. Through Zlecaf we can save food security, hence the need to address issues related to agricultural productivity and the trade sector on the continent," said PACJA's Advocacy, Communication and Policy Officer.
For agricultural transformation, the use of fertilizers is recommended to increase agricultural production, but this has incalculable consequences on the environment and the health of the population. "We also see the use of GMOs on the continent, but the solution would be to find other alternatives to remedy these problems. We must also think of innovative solutions to avoid post-harvest losses, adapt transport infrastructure and materials to improve agricultural productivity," said Madaka Tumbo, Professor at the University of Dar Es Salaam.
Technical and financial partners and the private sector are also called upon to play their part in making agriculture resilient to climate change in African regions.