NEPAD, AGRA to assist African farmers

20 July 2010, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation
URL: http://www.kbc.co.ke/story.asp?ID=65385

Written By:Judith Akolo   

The New Partnership for African Development Agency, the NEPAD Agency has received a boost of US$ 500,000 from the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).

The money will be used to support the work of small-holder farmers on the continent.

"The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) recognizes that the partnership with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa is important in fast-tracking our joint work in the implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) at the national level", the CEO of the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency (NEPAD Agency),

Dr. Ibrahim Assane Mayaki said.

Speaking in Midrand, South Africa Dr. Mayaki said he was convinced that agriculture-led development in Africa will be the result of African-led efforts.

At a meeting with Dr Akinwumi Adesina, who is the Vice President, for Policy and Partnerships, at Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, Adesina announced that AGRA, had given the US$ 500,000 grant to the NEPAD Agency to implement the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programs - CAADP on the ground.

"AGRA recognizes not just the important work of NEPAD to eradicate poverty and put Africa on a path of sustainable growth but that this is a goal shared by many, including AGRA," said Dr. Adesina.

The two agencies, Nepad Agency and AGRA are working closely together to develop high potential breadbasket areas of African countries. NEPAD is also working under the auspices of the CAADP, to help accelerate economic growth and boost food security through greater investments in agriculture.

CAADP has also called on African governments to allocate 10 percent of their national budgets to agriculture, in order to achieve 6 percent annual agricultural growth to fulfill the Maputo Declaration of 2003.

AGRA is a dynamic partnership working across the African continent to help millions of small-scale farmers and their families lift themselves out of poverty and hunger.

The AGRA board chaired by former Secretary General of the United Nations, Koffi Annan, advocates for policies that support its work across all key aspects of the African agricultural value chain - from seeds, soil health and water to markets and agricultural education