A Policy Forum on the Wings of the World Economic Forum
Promoting Africa's Home-Grown Solutions
June 9, 2009
African Monitor, in partnership with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa; the Forum for Former African Heads of State & Government; and the World Food Programme, Southern Africa Region, hosted a Policy Forum on the wings of the World Economic Forum on Africa in Cape Town to bring attention to home-grown practical solutions to combating poverty and hunger in sub-Saharan Africa.
The meeting was convened by leading experts, practitioners, and other development partners to agree on what needs to be done to avert the perpetual food crisis that is facing the African continent.
"We are here because of our deep concern about the well-being of our people. We are here to make hunger history," said Archbishop Njongo Ndungane, president and founder of African Monitor, in his opening remarks. "We fought against slavery and we won. We fought against colonialism and we won. We smashed to pieces the granite wall of apartheid. Yes, we can also make hunger part of history."
"Past efforts have not been successful, and even though they had the best intentions, they resulted in very little lasting solutions for food security of Africa. By concentrating our efforts on developing simple, straightforward proposals, crafted around African expertise, gives me hope that, yes, we can do something to make hunger history in Africa," the Archbishop concluded.
He noted that with 22 percent of the world's arable land, "There is no reason why Africa cannot be the world's breadbasket instead of its basket case. I'm delighted that the president of AGRA is here so that we can hear about all of the possibilities that they have uncovered in their work."
A host of opening speakers, including government representatives from Malawi, Zambia, and Burkina Faso, agreed that the recent food price crisis of 2007-2008 has brought new attention to agriculture globally and within Africa. As evidence of this shift, Archbishop Ndungane highlighted the fact that two sessions of the World Economic Forum, including one that will feature AGRA's chairman, Mr. Kofi A. Annan, will be part of the meeting in Cape Town this week. In addition, the Southern African Development Community recently established a group on Agriculture and Food Security, and the upcoming African Union summit has put food and agriculture on the agenda.
John Tesha, representing the African Forum for Former African Heads of State & Government, called for an "agricultural renaissance" that includes increased funding for agricultural research and extension and better policies.
During an opening keynote, AGRA's president, Dr. Namanga Ngongi, focused on the progress being made by AGRA, African governments, and other development stakeholders.
"The path to food security and food sovereignty in Africa is long and fraught with many difficulties. However, food security and sovereignty can be realized," Ngongi said. "The engagement by African Heads of State to spend more on agriculture and the setting up of CAADP are firm indications of Africa's resolve to attain food security."
"AGRA will in the future work more closely with governments, the private sector, NGOs, and farmers' organizations to implement plans in Africa's breadbaskets that will not only lead to dramatic increases in production but also ensure market linkages and value addition. An African Green Revolution is within our reach."
AGRA will host a breakfast session at World Economic Forum on Africa on Friday, 12 June. All who will still be in Cape Town at the time are welcome to participate and share experiences.
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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.