Early Accomplishments

The work of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) is guided by its vision: that of a food secure and prosperous Africa, achieved through rapid, sustainable agricultural growth based on smallholder farmers, the majority of whom are women. A uniquely African Green Revolution will transform smallholder agriculture into a highly productive, efficient, competitive and sustainable system that lifts millions out of poverty.

To achieve this requires comprehensive change across the agricultural system, facilitated by equally comprehensive policy support on national, regional and global levels.

Smallholder farmers grow most of the continent's food, producing a rich diversity of crops. Yet, they do so with minimal resources, poor seeds and soil, and little government support, leaving their yield just one-quarter the global average. In addition, they must now cope with the unprecedented impacts of climate change.

These were the challenges that Africa's smallholder farmers faced when AGRA was founded in 2006. Since then, two historic economic cataclysms have swept Africa and the world: the global food crisis and financial meltdown. These twin crises have stretched the resources of governments and families alike, sometimes beyond the breaking point, challenging all to respond with greater innovation, energy and commitment. And they have.

The call for a sustainable, uniquely African Green Revolution is resonating across the continent. African governments from Ghana to Mozambique are implementing plans for rapid agricultural development. From the G8 meeting in Hokkaido, Tokyo, in July 2008, to the United Nation's Commission on Sustainable Development in May 2009, global leaders and organizations have put sustainable agricultural growth for African smallholder farmers at the top of development agendas.

This is a dramatic change from two years ago, and AGRA's work has been critical to raising this awareness. The challenge now is to strategically focus this awareness and action for maximum effect.

AGRA's new strategy for achieving an African Green Revolution marshals resources and partnerships where they will make the biggest difference-in the continent's high-potential breadbasket areas-while also spurring innovation and scaling-up successes across even wider and more challenging environments.

AGRA's strategy builds on its early accomplishments. These are the results of partnerships and programs in four integrated areas: seeds, soil health, markets and policies. This work has aimed to generate change across the agricultural system and ensure that smallholder farmers have what they need to succeed, and to create a food secure and prosperous Africa.

Click here to download "AGRA Early Accomplishments: Foundations for Growth"