Despite the centrality of agriculture in most African economies, smallholder farmers – who make up 80 per cent of the sector – face significant barriers, including limited access to modern farming technologies, relevant technical skills, and value-adding systems to improve productivity.

In 2024, as I sat in the CAADP Strategy and Action Plan (2026-2035) Review Workshop in Lusaka, Zambia – now the Kampala Declaration 2025 – Prof Mandi Rukuni from Zimbabwe observed that for Africa to truly succeed, food must be universally accessible and affordable to all Africans. Achieving this aspiration requires synergy between Common African Agro Parks (CAAP) and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) operations to accelerate food systems transformation and rural development.

In my column last week, I argued that TVET can drive food systems transformation. My views are reinforced by Dr Ibrahim Mayaki, the African Union food systems envoy, who highlights the importance of agro-industrial zones. These zones are planned innovation systems that integrate agricultural production, processing, and logistics meant to create a resilient and self-sufficient African agri-food system.

The establishment and operation of agro-industrial parks provide fertile ground for expanding technical education and training. It is important to note that TVETs have adopted the Competence-Based Education and Training (CBET) model with a dual-track approach, where trainees spend over 50 percent of their time in the industrial field and community projects, gaining hands-on experience and practical skills.

The creation of CAAPs demonstrates Africa’s commitment to agricultural development. However, it is crucial to articulate the interconnectedness of African sectors, challenges and solutions. Are we adequately preparing relevant technical skills needed to transform Africa’s food systems, especially as challenges such as climate change and geopolitical pressures strain national fiscal resources?

For instance, research has shown that irrigated agriculture is essential for significantly increasing productivity. However, adopting irrigation technologies requires a critical mass of skilled professionals to build and maintain such infrastructure. This underscores the need for strategic investments in TVETs for skills development to support these advancements.

While increasing productivity is crucial, post-harvest losses present another significant challenge. Solutions such as solar drier greenhouses for horticulture offer viable ways to reduce losses, but they too require specialised skills and targeted investments.

Youth engagement is a high-impact strategy. With many young people in Africa lacking formal academic qualifications to access university education, TVET institutions provide a viable alternative. Given their dual-track curriculum, agro parks serve as ideal platforms where youth can develop practical agricultural and industrial skills, equipping them for both present and future job markets.

Therefore, it is imperative that investment plans consolidate resources from various funding sources – such as climate finance and food systems projects – and allocate them to capacity-building in technical institutions. A systems approach is essential in analysing opportunity costs and prioritising investments that yield multiple development benefits.

But in the end, outdated perception of agriculture as a subsistence activity and a last resort for those who fail in other careers must be challenged by all. Changing this narrative through education, policy, and public engagement is crucial for securing Africa’s future.

— The writer is a UN global food systems Youth Leader, Vocational and Technical Trainer, and Communication Consultant