Kofi Annan rallies support for smallholder farmers to fight hunger

Former United Nations Secretary General and Chairman of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), Mr Kofi Annan has called for support for smallholder-led green revolution that can fight against hunger, poverty and stimulate the business growth in Africa and the world as a whole.

Speaking at the Royal African Society’s inaugural annual lecture in London, Mr Annan said these smallholder farmers are the foundation of African agriculture.

“Smallholder farmers are the mainstay of African agriculture and they must be at the heart of Africa’s green revolution”, Mr. Annan said in a speech mailed to ghanabusinessnews.com by AGRA.

According to Mr Annan, four out of five Africans depend on farming and related activities to provide for their families and “that is why we need to put the emphasis on a genuine smallholder-led green revolution” that harnesses Africa’s “untapped” agricultural potential and help the world meet the coming spike in demand for food.

He said if smallholder farmers are supported, it can take a major step to banishing hunger from the continent and helping meet future food needs across the world with global demand for food set to grow by 50% in the next two decades.

Mr. Annan said: “The planet’s population is forecast to grow from seven to nine billion in the next 40 years and we are likely to see global demand for food grow by 50% over the next two decades. Without a green revolution in Africa, without harnessing the massive agricultural potential within the continent, it is far from clear where and how this demand will be met.”

“By supporting Africa’s farmers, we can take a major step to banishing hunger from the continent and helping future food needs across the world”, he said.

 

By Ekow Quandzie

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