Stop Underfunding Agriculture –Kofi Annan

By Emmanuel Kubi

Daily Guide:Sept.8,2010

The former United Nations (UN) Secretary-General and the Chairman of the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), Kofi Annan has urged African leaders to fund agriculture and commit themselves to solving the food and economic crises on the continent.
According to him, “If Africans would ever be capable of feeding themselves in the future then the time has come to help pull out the 300,000 Africans who are under the devastating effects of hunger and poverty.”
He said Africans have the potential to overcome the huge challenges of poverty and hunger and transform agriculture into an engine of economic development.
He added that African leaders must adopt pragmatic policies and look for strong partnerships to enable them harness the full potential in the agric sector for the betterment of their people.
Kofi Annan made these observations at African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) held in Accra last week.
It is estimated that over one million people across the globe are faced with severe hunger out of which 300,000 people are affected on the African continent.
He noted that “the problems seem to be systemic and so should involve fundamental changes in government’s priorities and policies to strengthen food value chains that engage people at all stages.”
Kofi Annan also commended AGRA for taking the giant step to lead the African Green revolution, which according to him, was very dear to his heart.
He urged various organizations involved to educate farmers on the application of fertilizer, stressing that AGRA is on course to strengthen farmer’s access to market and also train them in market functions,
Mr. Annan said 40,000 banana growers in Uganda and Kenya have earned over $10 million in the past three year.
He called for massive investment in agriculture infrastructure on the continent, adding that Africa needs over US $39 billion annually to archive the full economic potential.
He said farmers need money just like other business men and must be supported by the concerned financial institutions.
The Prime Minister of Tanzania, Mizengo Peter Pinda said the time has come for Africa to develop policies to develop on her own terms.
He explained that modern agriculture requires technology, improve crop varieties, irrigation and good fertilizer applications.
He noted that though the challenges in the agric sector are huge there must be a way forward as emphasized in the 2008 World Bank report.
“Making African agriculture competitive will depend on getting the policies right, strengthening agricultural institutions and increasing investments in the agricultural sectors. Agriculture in Sub-Sahara Africa is a strong option spurring growth, overcoming poverty and enhancing food security.”