"In March, 2018, African countries signed a historic trade agreement. In this agreement, the African Continental Free Trade Area(AfCFTA), committed countries to the removal of tariffs in 90% of goods, progressively liberalize trade in services and negotiate a host of other tariff baring barriers. This specific agreement contributed to Africa being the largest free trade area in the world". "Papa, it still says nothing as to why technology isn't everything in Africa" pointed uchendu, "Son, patience is a virtue, sit down and drop your phone, listen to papa this once", he sat while reminding me that the AfCFTA agreement wasn't the reason why youths should focus on agriculture instead of technology.
"Uchendu, I continued, agriculture has been the pride of our great continent- Africa, thus, the need to unlock its potentials. For this great transformation to transpire, there's a necessity for direct, crucial and adequate improvement. Listen, While an absolute increase in political and public investment is important, there's an untapped margin of potential economic impact to be acquired from the 'little man'- Encouraging the 'little man's' agriculture", I paused. "Papa, what now is the little man's agriculture", he asked. "You see, most notably in some countries, Agriculture has been restricted to crude oil. It is worrisome and of great concern that these countries have about 80% of their intra-african exports glorify petroleum, exposing the need to encourage the little man, like you, who plants seeds to bring his nation yields", I stopped to cough. "So papa, you think I not farming is what daunts African agriculture", "no uchendu" I seized his enthusiasm, "the tree you climb has its root, intra-trade has experienced great recession due to its heavy climbers". "papa, now you confuse me, why do you think trade within africa has been the major reason behind africa's slow agricultural development", uchendu asked yet again. "If only you would let me walk before asking me to run", I sighed as I continued, " you see, our fathers say one's greatest battle to be better is always within himself, hope you understand now. "Yes papa, but now that you have well worked the problem, what changes would you make if you were in a position to", uchendu piped in trying to sound as respectful. 'Its good you are home for christmas, walk with me", I requested. As we walked out of my 'obi', I continued, 'Just as the little 'ukwu ose' here, there are many branches for you climbers'.
"Come on, pick a branch uchendu, that one?" I asked to confirm his choice. Lets name that brother of yours, 'promotion of a diversifying synergy'. "Experts acknowledge that for African countries to be able to achieve more trade opportunities, they need to diversify their products, be not surprised son, I use my phone for the right purposes",I said noticing his surprise "okay o", he chuckled as i continued, "regularly,in most individual countries, a few commodities often make up a bulk of exports to the rest of the continent, because of very limited diversity of products, the same primary product tend to dominate Africa's trade with the rest of the world", I stopped to observe he seemed interested In what I had to say. "Do you know that the hills of central Kenya is almost lime-green with the shimmer of tea herbs, possibly not, but you know that the swamps of Enugu and Ebonyi are only periodically rich in rice grains, my point is, farmers are well aware of climate Change since the rainy season is not wholly predictable, 'when it is supposed to rain, it doesn't, then when it comes, it comes once. This weather unpredictability should bring synergy". "So papa what you're saying is that african countries should be encouraged to focus on their respective strengths to create a unifying force as a continent", he quipped in, " yes son, I was begining to doubt if the snake really always births something long, shall we, pick another", I continued referring to the 'ukwu ose'.
"Very well, your third brother is 'continental education and awareness', there is never a limit to knowledge. In as much as agriculture appears a game of hands, the necessity of proper tutoring on adequate irrigation, farming systems, herbicides, pesticides and use of machinery can hardly be over emphasized. There's also need to emphasize on more women joining the labour force, agricultural representation of women is very notable in some countries, with Tanzania and Malawi boasting an average at least above 50%. Disappointingly, countries like Ethiopia, Niger and Nigeria record an average well below 50%, thus, a need for rejuvenation and awareness, the importance of achieving the dreams of the continent cannot be over flogged", I glanced at him then continued, " as this factor is addressed, the significance of providing men with basic requirements as I listed above and mandatory knowledge to achieve effective improvement in farming is as much obligatory as it is Paramount. With enough labour force, there will be enough produce to be involved in national, intra and inter-trades" I concluded, waiting for him to speak. "Now you sound like the minister of agriculture" his awaited voice graced the silence, making me laugh out. "Okay, then there is you, emphasizing the importance of the 'little man's' agriculture', you can imagine Small holder farming accounts for about 80% of all farmlands cultivated in sub-sahara Africa". " papa, is that why you picked a huge branch", he said noticing exactly as I predicted. "Uchendu, just as you are to me, you are a huge problem to African agriculture, this 'little man's' farming produces the majority of agricultural goods and contribute up to 90% of productions as it has been our agricultural foundation for years, fact is, africa has an estimated 33 million smallholder farms, increasing their capabilities would increase Africa’s output and more importantly, help solve Africa’s poverty and malnutrition problems, a healthy farmer can only produce healthy and increased yields, isn't it?", "I guess so papa", he answered as i continued, "however, the process in increasing the size of these small farms is slow and various countries are experiencing a decrease in farm size". " why is this papa", uchendu asked, "son, this is mostly due to several reasons such as inheritance systems, land right systems that limit opportunities for consolidation and increase in Urban displacements", I listed to him. " oh, thats true, so what you are saying summarily is that there is need to encourage the small scale farmers to seek for expansion, there is need to hold seminars and schemes to outline their importance, instruct them on the best farm utilities to use in achieving impressive increase in crop growths, health and yields?", "and someone seems to know the solution to himself", I concluded smiling and nodding.
"fortunately for you, my little essay is coming to an end, I can see you yawning already", " I thought my branch was the last", he said, "just as the branches on this 'ukwu ose', your brothers are quite a lengthy list, few of which are huge disregard on closure of the infrastructural gap, limited access to technology, public and political investment", "okay papa, these ones i understand", he notified as if wishing i didnt start explaining them. "that does it then. So i put it to you now, if you were in a position to make changes what would you do?" I asked conclusively. "Papa, I would surely not enforce all this your visions as I am sure considerable factors have contributed to the current recede in improvement. To start at all is enough, the journey of a thousand miles, will always begin with a step". Beaming with smiles and patting him, I said, "goodnight grandson", "goodnight papa, hope I can now take my phone", " you've earned it", I said, with a proud smile hanging over his shoulder he said "I might just have been a daunting climber".