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Growing Africa's Agriculture

Melinda Gates visits AGRA Projects in Tanzania

On January 11, 2012, Melinda Gates, six US senators plus the US ambassador and USAID-Tanzania director visited an AGRA-sponsored hybrid maize breeding program at Selian, in Arusha, Tanzania. They were received by the PASS Director Dr. Joe DeVries and Program Officer Jane Ininda.

 

The group also visited a successful project where the family had grown the Selian hybrid now being produced by Iffa Seed Company of Arusha.

 

During the visit the team was engaged with scientists and communities all through, asking questions relevant questions. Dr. DeVries and Jane Ininda made presentations on AGRA’s mission while Melinda Gates also briefed the group separately on the work of AGRA.  The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation staff reported back that most delegates told them that this was best stop of a 3-country tour of aid initiatives. 

 

At the end of the visit a special event was organized whereby Melinda and the head of the delegation, Senator Lindsay Graham, handed over 4kgs seeds of the Selian hybrid to the farmers.  Dr. DeVries reported back that it was indeed a successful visit.

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About the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)
AGRA is a dynamic partnership working across the African continent to help millions of small-scale farmers and their families lift themselves out of poverty and hunger. AGRA programmes develop practical solutions to significantly boost farm productivity and incomes for the poor while safeguarding the environment. AGRA advocates for policies that support its work across all key aspects of the African agricultural value chain ­from seeds, soil health and water to markets and agricultural education.

AGRA's Board of Directors is chaired by Kofi A Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations. Dr Namanga Ngongi, former Deputy Executive Director of the World Food Programme, is AGRA's president. With support from The Rockefeller Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the UK's Department for International Development and other donors, AGRA works across sub-Saharan Africa and maintains offices in Nairobi, Kenya, and Accra, Ghana.