AGRA calls for prioritisation of agriculture

Last week, the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) called on global leaders at the World Economic Forum on Africa to recognise agriculture’s rightful place—at the heart of Africa’s growth.

Ms Jane Karuku, President of AGRA, and Strive Masiyiwa, acting chairman of AGRA and founder of Econet Wireless, are participating in this year’s conference to encourage governments and other leaders to urgently close the gap between the current and the potential contribution that agriculture makes to Africa’s growth and development.

Ms Karuku said: “As our evidence shows, every dollar invested in agriculture in Africa has an impact on poverty reduction which is up to three to four times greater than the same amount invested in other sectors.”

She added: “As the clock ticks towards 2014, the pressure is now on for our governments to live up to the commitment they made in Maputo. Growth in Africa’s agricultural sector, food security and poverty alleviation across the continent all depend on achieving this goal,” she said.

According to the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), in 2010, only eight African countries had met their pledge to commit 10 per cent of their national budget to agriculture, while many others were making progress.

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