The Green Revolution Forum was held in Maputo last week and was attended by delegates from various African countries.
Zimbabwe businessman and Chairman of Econet Zimbabwe Strive Masiyiwa who is also the Vice Chairperson of the board of the Alliance For a Green Revolution in Africa, a co- sponsor of the African green revolution said: “Agriculture remains, by far, Africa`s biggest industry and biggest employer.”
Masiyiwa presented his paper ‘How to boost agriculture in Africa’
and observed that “Although there has been remarkable success in many other sectors, agriculture still accounts for nearly 40% of the gross domestic product (GDP) of African countries and the livelihoods of seven out of 10 people.
“Evidence from Asia and Latin America also shows that increasing agricultural productivity is a powerful motor for wider economic development.”
He added that the goal was not just to produce enough food for the 240-million of our fellow citizens who still don’t have enough to eat but, in the longer term, to export surplus production to the rest of the world to increase revenue and tackle global hunger.
“By doing so, we will drive our continent’s already impressive economic growth forward and, importantly, ensure it is widely and fairly shared.” He explained.
Masiyiwa also made reference to the numerous resources that Africa has.
“After all, Africa has as much as 60% of global uncultivated arable land and, in many parts of our continent, plentiful water for sustainable irrigation. We have, too, a youthful, energetic and resourceful population that, with the right support, could transform agricultural production.”
African governments were applauded for the support they put into agriculture.
“Governments around Africa are giving a new priority to agriculture and rural development. The African Union’s Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme, signed in Maputo a decade ago, has provided an important impetus and cohesion to these efforts” said Masiyiwa.
New partnerships and ground-breaking initiatives have been launched through the Alliance for the Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) to put Africa’s smallholder farmers at the centre of the transformation needs.
“It is smallholders who, after all, produce the overwhelming majority of Africa’s food. And it is by helping them, their families and communities to thrive that we can have the biggest impact on spreading prosperity.
The vice chair person underlined the work of (AGRA).
“Across the continent, AGRA’s work is helping to make a difference from the field to the market: increasing harvests, improving the supply chain, providing new investment, developing new businesses and boosting incomes”.
“Over 400 new crop varieties, for example, have been specifically developed in Africa for our continent’s unique conditions.” said Masiyiwa.
Masyiwa also said that African farmers and agricultural businesses have shown time and time again that, if provided with the opportunity, they seize it with both hands.
“We now need to provide these opportunities to more farmers and communities” he expressed.
He advocated for a true partnership with governments to provide the right policy, legal and financial framework in which the dynamism of the private sector can thrive.
The key focus of the forum was to build and strengthen public-private partnerships.
He lamented that investment in such an important industry remains well below what is required to bring a step change in production.
“And, although agriculture accounts for nearly 40% of the GDP of some African countries, only 0.25% of bank lending goes to smallholder farmers. The result is that farmers and small agribusinesses struggle to get the finance to invest in new seed, fertilizer or equipment.”
“But, by bringing smallholders together, we can reduce risks and increase economies of scale to make these customers more appealing to those who provide credit.”
Masiyiwa also reiterated that technological innovation can also be used to reduce costs and meet these needs for investment and credit.
He said that Africa is already setting a global lead in mobile banking.
“By building new public-private partnerships, we can ensure African agriculture reaches its rich potential to increase food production and drive prosperity”
“Indeed, this is already happening in areas as diverse as innovative finance, improving warehousing and funding irrigation projects. We need to find ways to scale up these initiatives.”
Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) is an organization which deals with agricultural products in Africa. It is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as well as the Rockefeller Foundation. Mostly, it deals with improving agricultural products and supporting local farm owners and labour.
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