In Ethiopia, like much of Africa, the challenge for ensuring food security is to strengthen a fragile small-holder agricultural system to help prevent future famines and build sustainability.
One way to achieve this goal is to boost agricultural productivity. This is the centerpiece of a pilot project led by the Government of Ethiopia and involving the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and DuPont. Founded in 2013, the Advanced Maize Seed Adoption Program (AMSAP) is an innovative public-private partnership that takes a holistic approach to improving maize farmer productivity:
In his March 2015 talk at TEDx Wilmington, Jim Borel, Executive Vice President of DuPont, outlined the important role that AMSAP plays in boosting yields and, as a result, improving smallholder farmers’ well-being:
"Maize is one of the most important grain crops in Ethiopia, and about 8 million farmers are involved in raising and harvesting it. Despite the way it may look here in the US – where we’re used to seeing vast expanses of lush cornfields spring up almost automatically every year – growing maize, particularly in Africa, is difficult and risky. If a farmer doesn’t have access to quality seeds, yields can be reduced significantly. Post-harvest, maize is extremely vulnerable to loss from mold, vermin and theft."
Borel goes on to note that:
"Based on its initial success in Ethiopia, the AMSAP model is being customized for use in other African countries where increased agricultural productivity is essential to food security as well as economic development. This coincides with a special focus of the African Union on agricultural and food security that acknowledges the vital role of small holder farmers, along with the need of governments, NGOs and the private sector to work together to strengthen them.”
Watch Borel’s TEDx talk “From Farm Gate to Dinner Plate” to learn more about the AMSAP partnership, or visit DuPont's website.
The Advanced Maize Seed Adoption Program: Improving Productivity from Farm to Fork
About
The Global Food and Agriculture Program aims to inform the development of US policy on global agricultural development and food security by raising awareness and providing resources, information, and policy analysis to the US Administration, Congress, and interested experts and organizations.
The Global Food and Agriculture Program is housed within the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, an independent, nonpartisan organization that provides insight – and influences the public discourse – on critical global issues. The Council on Global Affairs convenes leading global voices and conducts independent research to bring clarity and offer solutions to challenges and opportunities across the globe. The Council is committed to engaging the public and raising global awareness of issues that transcend borders and transform how people, business, and governments engage the world.
Support for the Global Food and Agriculture Program is generously provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
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Big Ideas and Emerging Innovations
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Guest Commentary – Transformational Change Requires a Coordinated Effort
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