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Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa
- Complete article 07/17; SciDev.net
- Annan, Meets with African Smallholder Farmers 07/16 press release
- Plant Breeding and Genetic Engineering position paper
- Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa
- RF AGRA homepage
Farmers and Researchers: Annan Urges Stronger Links
July 17, 2007; SciDevNet
By Kimani Chege
Summary
[NAIROBI] Former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan yesterday urged African farmers to build stronger links with scientists and research institutions as part of their efforts to boost food production on the continent.
'We need to get the right seeds into [the farmers'] hands by strengthening research partnerships with local universities and other institutions,' he said.
He also said that, whatever the potential future benefits of genetically modified (GM) crops, conventional seed breeding currently represented an important path towards securing a green revolution in Africa, and thus of decreasing Africa's dependence on food aid.
See AGRA position paper on Plant Breeding and Genetic Engineering
Annan announced that over the next four years the AGRA initiative will focus on developing hardier seeds, improving soil health and use of fertilizers, improving water management, and strengthening agricultural markets. The alliance will put special emphasis on problems specific to small-scale farmers.
Annan said for Africa to achieve a green revolution as experienced in Asia in the 1960s, governments must provide policies that can support growth, but must be careful of obstructing progress.
Insufficient infrastructure, such as roads, poor storage facilities and weak market structures must also be addressed, he said.
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