G7 on Agriculture kicks off: Africa and Denominations take centre stage. ‘Crucial role’ of farmers

From today 26 September until Saturday 28, the G7 Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting will be held at Castello Maniace in Syracuse, on the island of Ortigia, in Italy.
The Italian Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry, Francesco Lollobrigida, will chair the proceedings, which will include the ministers of the G7 countries, the European Commissioner for Agriculture, the African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, as well as the heads of the three UN agencies in the Roman pole (FAO, IFAD, WFP), the OECD and the CGIAR (Global Partnership on Food Security.

The summit of agricultural associations
This morning, meanwhile, the G7 Agriculture Associations Summit was held, organised and led by Coldiretti, which for the first time brought together in Syracuse the main organisations within the G7 agriculture. At the end of the meeting, a common document was circulated and handed over to Minister Lollobrigida, the G7 agriculture chairperson in office, and to John Steenhuisen, South Africa’s Minister of Agriculture, and then to all the ministers.

Africa at the G7 Agriculture
Africa is the focus of the first working session on 26 September – the ‘Africa Forum of the G7 Agriculture’ – which will also be open to a representation of African agriculture ministers from the various regions of the continent, invited in agreement with the African Union.

In this regard, the Agriculture Minister met today with his Ugandan counterpart, Bright Rwamirama. The talks focused on strengthening the friendship that binds the two countries and future prospects for cooperation in the field of trade. The ministers shared virtuous practices. Italy provided access to technology and training in agriculture. In particular, the possibilities of cooperation in the field of agricultural mechanisation between Italy and Uganda were explored.

‘Africa needs Europe, it needs FAO. We do not have much money, but we have knowledge and awareness of the opportunities and initiatives that have to do with digitisation,’ said FAO Director General Qu Dongyu: ’Let Italy act as a bridge, we need many bridges. We need to value small farmers, not only in Africa, but also in the EU,’ he concluded.

The appeal
On the occasion of the G7 agriculture ministers’ meeting in Sicily, the presidents of the main agricultural organisations of the G7 countries – including the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (Canada), FNSEA (France), DBV (Germany), JA Zenchu (Japan), Coldiretti (Italy) CIA Agricoltori Italiani (Italy), National Farmers’ Union (UK) and NFU National Farmers Union (US) – have come together to emphasise “the crucial role” that farmers and their organisations play in building resilient, inclusive and sustainable food systems.

This call comes at a critical time, marked by geopolitical instability and the growing climate crisis. The joint declaration, also supported by the World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO), not only reflects the collective voice of G7 farmers, but also aligns with the global farming community’s commitment to sustainable food systems.

Farmers urge governments to take decisive decisions
The unity shown by these organisations translates into a strong message: only by working together with farmers can governments ensure a peaceful, prosperous and food secure future for all. The handover ceremony in Ortigia is not only a significant moment in the G7 agricultural agenda, it is a reaffirmation of the essential role that farmers globally must play to achieve these fundamental goals. G7 farmers urge their governments to make decisive decisions, working closely with the farming community to advance these shared goals.

Key recommendations
The paper emphasises the need for a farmer-centred approach to building sustainable, resilient and competitive local food systems. These systems are key to valuing the work of farmers, ensuring fair value chains and contributing to global food security. Key recommendations outlined in the declaration include increased public investment in sustainable and climate-friendly agricultural practices, strengthening fair international trade based on reciprocity and transparency, and advancing farmer-centred innovation that bridges the gap between producers and the research community. It also calls for a balanced approach to food systems, investing in both short local value chains that support thriving communities, and long and fair international value chains that ensure transparency and equity in global trade.

These measures are crucial not only for the G7 countries, but also for the global effort to meet the twin challenges of feeding a growing population and mitigating climate change. The G7 agricultural organisations are united in their call for governments around the world to engage directly with farmers and prioritise policies that ensure food security and support the economic viability of sustainable agricultural practices.