Eric Opoku urges AU-EU to prioritize innovation for food security at ministerial conference in Rome

The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has called on African and European nations to commit to increased investment in research, innovation, and technology to ensure equitable food distribution and long-term global food security.

Delivering a statement at the 6th African Union-European Union Agriculture Ministerial Conference held at the FAO Headquarters in Rome, Mr. Opoku emphasised that true prosperity cannot be achieved while millions continue to suffer from hunger.

“We must deliver prosperity to humankind because the hungry man is never a free man,” he declared, stressing that although the world produces enough food to feed its population, inequitable distribution leads to waste and widespread hunger.

Speaking under the theme “A Sustainable Future for Agriculture and Food Systems”, the Minister noted the paradox of Africa’s agricultural potential.

Despite holding 60 to 65 per cent of the world’s arable land, Africa contributes only about 10 per cent to global agricultural output.

Mr Opoku acknowledged the EU’s strength in research and technological innovation, urging stronger AU-EU collaboration to leverage these resources and address shared agricultural challenges.

He described co-membrane AU-EU agricultural partnerships as key to building resilient food systems and delivering sustainable development.

“We must not limit our relationship to just discussions and conferences,” he said. “We must seize this opportunity to develop more practicable solutions that will stabilise and grow our economies through agriculture.”

He concluded with a call to action, expressing hope that the expertise gathered at the conference would translate into bold strategies capable of transforming the agricultural narrative across both continents.

The high-level ministerial conference brought together policymakers, researchers, and development partners to chart a new path for food systems transformation through innovation-driven agricultural practices.

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