Developed nations must cut agricultural subsidies if they are serious about contributing to Africa's development efforts, a senior official from the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) said in Lusaka Wednesday.

COMESA assistant secretary-general, Sindiso Ngwenya, told Xinhua in an interview that the continued inertia by some developed nations to cut down on agricultural subsidies was hurting development efforts of Africa's agricultural industry.

"Studies have shown that development in Africa could grow five times more than the current levels if developed nations opened up markets and cut down on subsidies given to their agriculture sector," he said.

Ngwenya said it was unfortunate that the World Trade Organization (WTO) ministerial conference collapsed last week due to failure by some developed nations to agree on tariff cuts.

While acknowledging aid being given to the continent for developmental projects, Ngwenya said Africa requires trade facilitation if it is to move away from the current poverty levels.

"Aid is necessary but what we require is trade so that we are able to increase our production capacities. It is only by increasing our production capacities that we will be able to create jobs and reduce poverty," he said.

He also criticized developed nations for imposing stringent standards for agricultural products from Africa, a situation he said was denying the continent a market for its products.

The WTO ministerial talks failed last week in Geneva, Switzerland because some development nations such as Japan and the European Union (EU) refused to make real concessions on tariffs.

Difficult agricultural trade issues have blocked movement in the negotiations since they were launched in 2001.

Comprising 20 member nations, COMESA is Africa's largest economic integration group with a total population of 385 million.

Source: Xinhua