DURBAN, South Africa - The Southern African Confederation of Agricultural Unions (SACAU) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Wednesday said the agriculture sector must be considered seriously at this year's COP17.

SACAU is the only regional farmers' representative body granted observer status for the ongoing 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Durban, east coastal city of South Africa.

"Agriculture is the foundation of most African economies and the most climate-sensitive sector so it is imperative that it forms part of the agenda at this year's COP17," SACAU chief executive officer Ishmael Sunga said in a statement.

"This game not only highlights that but also the specific areas of intervention such as the need for the establishment of Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) Work Program on Agriculture that covers both adaptation and mitigation and addresses the needs of African farmers," Sunga said on the third day of COP17.

Agriculture is the economic foundation of most African countries and it makes a significant contribution to food security and poverty alleviation for millions of households in Africa.