What: Continental Workshop for the Validation of the Framework for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization in Africa 
When: May 11-12, 2017
Who: African Union Commission and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations
Where: African Union Commission HQ, Small Conference Room 4, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background
The African Union Commission’s Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture has partnered with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to develop a framework for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization for Africa (SAMA). The objective of SAMA is to contribute to promoting investments and the intensification of agricultural mechanization in Africa, as well as its integration in agricultural development strategies at country level. After several rounds of consultations, a draft strategy Framework document has been prepared. This document will be reviewed and validated at the workshop, which will bring together farmer associations, agro-enterprises and other private sector actors; public sector representatives from AU Member States, technical and financing institutions and other development agencies, civil society organizations, AUC, the NEPAD Agency, and Regional Economic Communities, among others.

Journalists are invited to cover the opening ceremony on May 11, 2017 at 09:00 a.m.

For more information please contact: 

• Tezeta Meshesha: Tezeta.Hilemeksel@fao.org, Tel. +251 11 6478888, Ext. 193
• Mark Fynn: FynnM@africa-union.org. Tel. +25115182849
• Carol Jilombo: Jilomboc@africa-union.org, Tel. +25115182875
• Abebe Demissie: Abebe.banjaw@fao.org, Tel. +251 11 6478888, Ext. 214