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Kenya continues to maintain its status as the centre for regional and international meetings that impact directly on development on Africa. This week it is the turn of researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders to meet for a major conference to chart the way forward for Africa’s agriculture sector. It is significant to note that Kenya hosts several globally recognised agricultural research institutions, whose presence at the sixth African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) will continue to define the course of agricultural development. The forum themed “In a region challenged by climate change, rapidly growing urban populations, and an urgent need for jobs, agriculture offers solutions, providing a clear path to food security and employment opportunities for all Africans” will be attended by two world renowned US philanthropists—Bill Gates and David Rockefeller—among others. President Uhuru Kenyatta will officially open the forum which former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo (Nigeria) and Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania will also attend. Gates heavily supports research in agriculture and health, providing grants to change lives of Africa’s smallholder farmers. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation are key partners of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), which has organised the event. So why are philanthropists, researchers and policymakers interested in agriculture? Millions of African farmers—smallholders and their families—are trapped in poverty: they lack good seeds, the soil is depleted, they farm without reliable water supplies and lack easy access to markets. To overcome these challenges, AGRA works with various partners and other rural development stakeholders to engage and empower resource-poor farmers in Africa. For food security and increased agricultural productivity, the smallholder African farmer must embrace technology and modern farming methods. Agricultural extension officers are a crucial part of this effort to transform the fortunes of the millions of poor African farmers. A rapid dissemination of locally adapted and environmentally-sound integrated soil fertility management practices. Interaction with farmers regarding fertiliser use needs to be complemented with efforts to assist smallholder farmers break the yield barrier through the development of rice, sorghum, maize and soya bean varieties that boost production and help achieve food security. For this to be achieved, researchers, policymakers and beneficiaries have to work together along the agricultural value chain. Africa’s smallholder farmers have been unable to realise profitable returns on their investments due to high post-harvest losses, high transport costs, limited access to finance and market information and inappropriate policies. Governments, farmers, the private sector, financial institutions, civil society, foundations, farmer cooperatives and other rural development stakeholders, therefore, need to use forums like AGRF to help transform smallholder farmers from peasantry to farming as a serious business. For many years, there has been a push for increased productivity in many African countries without an equal push for marketing improvements. This approach has often led to localized gluts that drive down prices and cause farmers to abandon new technologies that seem not to add any value to their income. The result is low production in the next season. In this way, the vicious cycle of poverty continues in many African countries and food security remains elusive. AGRF will showcase opportunities for Africa’s smallholder farmers and help to spur rapid rural economic growth. The millions of small family farms are Africa’s main source of food, employment, and income. A revitalisation of Africa’s agriculture should focus on more farmers thriving on this new vision in which farming as a struggle to survive gives way to farming as a profitable business. AGRF aims at advancing policies and secure investments to ensure a better life for millions of Africa’s farmers and families—and realise the vision of the Sustainable Development Goals, which seeks to end extreme poverty by 2030. Agriculture is key to the realisation of these goals. |
