“We have to make agriculture profitable, otherwise farmers will only engage in it for subsistence.” Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Willy Bett

The AGRF press briefing hosted by the Government of Kenya represented by the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Willy Bett, Alliance for a Green Revolution Africa (AGRA), The Rockefeller Foundation, International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) focused on the key objective of this year’s forum which is delivering major investments for African agriculture.

The official campaign slogan “Seize the moment” is expected to bring a world-wide call to action from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), energized by President Obama’s Global Food Security initiative—the largest development commitment from the administration and one that is aligned closely with the African Union’s agriculture agenda.

The conference is very popular so far, there have been 98 news stories picked up and over ­1,600 mentions on social media in the last 24 hours.Using the hashtag ­ #AGRF2016, 307,502 accounts were reached within the past 24 hours.Over 645 users tweeted with over 2.7 M people potentially reached.

TOP NEWS ON PARTNERS

Business Daily, Sixth AGRA conference to be held at United Nations Complex in Nairobi

The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) will host a week-long conference at the United Nations Complex, Nairobi, where African agriculture sector stakeholders will discuss various ways of transforming agriculture into a key driver of socioeconomic development.

The Star, North Rift maize diseases: the biggest threat to food security, (Written by Stephen Rutto)

Towards the end of each year, jubilation is often palpable among maize farmers in the North Rift, as they prepare for bumper harvests. But this year, the prospects are not looking good. A strange disease outbreak, coupled with doubtful seeds and fertilisers, have hit maize farming in the region hard. As the African Green Revolution (Agra) Forum begins in Nairobi today, many maize farmers are staring at hunger and poverty as a low harvest looms.

The Leadership (Nigeria), East Meets West: Promoting African Agricultural Integration, (Written by Ade Adefeko)

The theme of this year’s summit is Seize the Moment: Securing Africa’s Rise through Agricultural Transformation is very apt as it delves into the very heart of our Food security conversation on the continent and questions our dependence and long term sustainability of fossils fuels to the detriment of Agriculture. This year the forum is focusing on promoting investments, public/private opportunities and policy support for driving the vision contained in the African Declaration on Agriculture and Food Security.

Capital FM, Agriculture contribution to GPD in Africa declining, (Written by Kennedy Kangethe)

Agriculture contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Africa has continued to deteriorate in the last five years. According to Rockefeller Foundation Africa Managing Director Mamadou Biteye, the agricultural sector in Africa has been diminishing as countries remain adamant in investing in the sector.

Bloomberg, Africa may need $400 billion to improve agriculture, AGRA says, (Written by Samuel Bebre)

Africa may need as much as $400 billion of investment in food production over the next decade to meet the continent’s needs, a report showed.

NEWS OF INTEREST

Ventures Africa, finding the sweet spot of Africa’s agriculture, (Maria Andrade)

Africa is a continent where, at least outwardly, we like to celebrate our diversity – the rich variety that can be found in our many cultures, languages, fashion, flora and fauna. That’s why it’s perplexing to see such a large segment of the African population depending on a very small number of food crops like maize, rice, and wheat. And it’s more than just boring to the palate.

News Ghana, Africa urged to invest in smallholder food production, (Xinhua & News Ghana)

Food security experts on Monday called on Africa to incorporate multisector and interdisciplinary investment approaches in smallholder food production and reduction of post-harvest loss.

TOP BLOGS & URLs – AFRICA FOCUS

4 ways to end hunger in Africa – Written by Kofi Annan, Chair of the Kofi Annan Foundation and Former Secretary-General of the United Nations (5^th September 2016)

AGRF 2016: African Leaders ‘Seize The Moment’ to Harness the Potential of Agriculture in Promoting Long-Term Economic Growth – Written by Felicia Omari Ochelle, Ventures Africa (5^th September 2016)

New investments in support of African agriculture expected at AGRF 2016 – Written by Kofi Adu Domfeh, Development Arena (5^th September 2016)

Africa Eyes Science and Innovation to Unlocking its Agriculture Potential – Written by David Indeje, Soko Directory (5^th September 2016)

Hosted by The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) ,the 2016 AGRF is bringing together heads of state and government, farmer organizations, business leaders and captains of industry, eminent thought leaders, development partners, researchers, and finance & investment leads. The delegates will share their insights on how to create, align and leverage financial, technical, policy and market-expanding resources to develop game-changing and inclusive agribusiness models for Africa. This year’s event will consist of plenary sessions, break-out sessions, B2B meetings, the Africa Food Prize and informal networking opportunities.

Invited speakers include: H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta President of the Republic of Kenya; Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, African Development Bank; Dr. Rob Smith, Vice President, AGCO; Svein Tore Holsether, YARA President and CEO; Mr. Strive Masiyiwa, AGRA Board Chair, and Dr Agnes Kalibata, AGRA President

Written by NIYIGABA Etienne (niyigabat@gmail.com) in collaboration with Jean Claude Ndayambaje (jndayambaje@outlook.com)