East African Community agriculture ministers have adopted a 10-year regional investment plan aimed at increasing agricultural productivity, strengthening food security and transforming agri-food systems across the region.
The EAC Regional Agri-Food Systems Investment Plan, covering 2026 to 2035, was adopted during the 19th Session of the Sectoral Council on Agriculture and Food Security held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from June 30 to July 3, 2026.
The meeting brought together agriculture ministers, senior government officials, development partners and representatives of the EAC Secretariat to review progress and address challenges affecting agriculture and food security across the region.
According to a statement issued by the EAC on July 6, the ministers approved policy, investment and regulatory measures intended to strengthen agriculture, promote regional trade and improve resilience to climate change.
Investment in regional food systems
The Regional Agri-Food Systems Investment Plan calls for increased investment in agricultural infrastructure, irrigation, climate-resilient production, digital technology, agricultural financing and cross-border trade.
It is expected to guide coordinated investments by EAC partner states over the next decade while complementing national agricultural development plans.
The ministers also approved measures to strengthen implementation of the EAC Rice Development Strategy.
These include supporting the newly operationalised EAC Rice Desk, expanding agricultural mechanisation, improving seed systems, increasing private-sector participation and reducing non-tariff barriers affecting regional rice trade.
Uganda’s Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Frank Tumwebaze, who chairs the Sectoral Council, urged partner states to align their national agricultural investment plans with the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme Kampala Declaration for 2026–2035.
Tumwebaze said the region needed greater investment in irrigation, mechanisation, quality seed systems, access to markets and agricultural data coordination to sustain progress in food production.
The ministers noted improved production of major staple crops, including maize, bananas, Irish potatoes and sweet potatoes.
Value addition and access to finance
EAC Deputy Secretary General responsible for Infrastructure, Productive, Social and Political Sectors Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth called for greater investment in value addition and technologies that can improve regional agricultural competitiveness.
He said mechanisation, digitalisation, access to quality farm inputs, financing and expanded market opportunities would help farmers and agricultural businesses increase productivity.
Malueth also highlighted progress in regional programmes covering agricultural extension, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, rice development, livestock production and access to farm inputs.
The ministers endorsed the establishment of the Youth in Agri-Food Systems in EAC Platform and welcomed progress towards developing an EAC Youth in Agribusiness Portal.
The initiatives are intended to increase youth participation in agriculture while supporting innovation, entrepreneurship and employment in the sector.
The Sectoral Council adopted regional guidelines for sharing epidemiological information on transboundary animal diseases and zoonoses.
It also approved the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Control Strategic Framework for Eastern Africa covering 2026 to 2035.
The measures are intended to improve disease surveillance, strengthen livestock health systems and make it easier for animals and animal products to be traded safely across EAC borders.
Additional guidelines covering the regulation of veterinary medicines and labelling of ectoparasiticides were also approved.
Crop inspections and pesticide controls
The ministers adopted several regional policy and regulatory instruments designed to improve agricultural productivity, crop safety and environmental protection.
They include standard operating procedures for crop inspection, environmental and human health risk-assessment manuals and the EAC Strategy for the Management of Highly Hazardous Pesticides for 2026–2036.
The measures are expected to harmonise agricultural inspection and pesticide-management standards across partner states.
The Council said effective implementation would require cooperation among EAC governments, regional institutions, development partners and private-sector organisations.
A Regional Food Security Report presented during the meeting indicated continued growth in agricultural production and food surpluses for most staple crops across the EAC.
However, the report identified persistent regional shortages in wheat and edible oil production.
The ministers directed partner states to strengthen their food-security data systems and harmonise regional reporting to improve agricultural planning and decision-making.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to implementing regional programmes intended to increase production, facilitate trade and improve the ability of East African food systems to withstand climate and economic shocks.
