AGRA Board Chair Desalegn on strengthening Africa’s food security systems

The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) has revealed its Africa strategy for the upcoming five years, which includes a $50 million investment plan primarily focused on improving investments in food systems to address the food crisis. A central pillar of this strategy is the focus on the youth agenda. CNBC Africa had the privilege of conducting an exclusive interview with Hailemariam Desalegn, former Prime Minister of Ethiopia and current AGRA board chair. The interview with Desalegn shed light on the importance of building robust policy environments in order to tackle the pressing issues in agriculture today. Climate change has become a critical concern, with rising global temperatures impacting agricultural practices around the world. Desalegn emphasized the need for sustainable farming methods to adapt to these changing conditions, highlighting the importance of greening nations and engaging young people in sustainable agriculture. He emphasized the significance of inclusive practices, particularly focusing on the engagement of young women who have often been excluded from economic activities. One of the key issues addressed in the interview was the inefficiencies in food systems, which result in significant wastage and inadequate nutritional outcomes. Desalegn pointed out the prevalence of malnutrition due to a heavy reliance on staple foods that may not offer adequate nutritional value. The strategy outlined by AGRA aims to address these challenges comprehensively, including initiatives to reduce food wastage and improve nutritional outcomes across the continent. Desalegn further delved into the complexities of the market dynamics within the agriculture sector. He highlighted the challenges faced by farmers, particularly the lack of market incentives leading to fluctuating prices based on harvests. To address these issues, he stressed the importance of leveraging national, local, and global markets to provide stability for farmers. The interview underscored the significance of market information and the need to bridge information gaps through digitization and digital platforms. The focus on youth empowerment was a central theme throughout the interview, with Desalegn emphasizing the pivotal role that young people play in driving the economic growth of nations. Drawing from the example of Rwanda, he praised the government's initiatives and highlighted AGRA's support in capacity building and knowledge transfer. Desalegn reiterated the importance of unlocking the potential of dynamic young populations to drive sustainable development. In terms of financial investments, AGRA plans to inject $50 million over the next five years to catalyze agricultural transformation in Rwanda. Desalegn emphasized the collaborative efforts with partners to leverage additional funding and support programs that benefit farmers and small and medium enterprises. The aim is to create jobs and stimulate economic growth within the agri-food sector through strategic investments and interventions. Desalegn expressed confidence in the transformative impact of such initiatives, particularly in the context of addressing pressing challenges such as climate change, droughts, and floods. He underscored the vast agricultural potential of Africa and the need to mobilize resources and political will to drive sustainable agricultural practices. Desalegn highlighted the importance of modernizing agriculture through technological advancements and engaging young people to ensure a prosperous and food-secure future for the continent. The interview also touched upon the role of the African Union's zero hunger initiative and the commitment of African governments towards agricultural development. Desalegn acknowledged the progress made by several countries in prioritizing agriculture within their budgets and emphasized the importance of utilizing technologies and engaging women and youth in the agricultural value chain. Overall, the interview with Desalegn encapsulated the comprehensive and ambitious vision of AGRA's strategy for African agriculture, with a strong emphasis on youth empowerment, sustainable practices, and inclusive growth.