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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1,000 Days Blog, 1,000 Days
Africa Can End Poverty, World Bank
Agrilinks Blog
Bread Blog, Bread for the World
Can We Feed the World Blog, Agriculture for Impact
Concern Blogs, Concern Worldwide
Institute Insights, Bread for the World Institute
End Poverty in South Asia, World Bank
Global Development Blog, Center for Global Development
The Global Food Banking Network
Harvest 2050, Global Harvest Initiative
The Hunger and Undernutrition Blog, Humanitas Global Development
International Food Policy Research Institute News, IFPRI
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center Blog, CIMMYT
ONE Blog, ONE Campaign
One Acre Fund Blog, One Acre Fund
Overseas Development Institute Blog, Overseas Development Institute
Oxfam America Blog, Oxfam America
Preventing Postharvest Loss, ADM Institute
Sense & Sustainability Blog, Sense & Sustainability
WFP USA Blog, World Food Program USA
Archive
Growing Food for Growing Cities: New Council Report on Transforming Food Systems for Food Security in an Urbanizing World
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs’ new report, Growing Food for Growing Cities: Transforming Food Systems in an Urbanizing World, was released today at the Global Food Security Symposium 2016.Guest Commentary – Harnessing Rural-Urban Linkages for Growth
Paul Weisenfeld of RTI International discusses the challenges, and the opportunities, presented by urbanization in developing countries.Guest Commentary – Youth are Key to Addressing Urbanization and Food Security
Krysta Harden of DuPont highlights the need to engage youth to meet the nutritional needs of the growing global population.Guest Commentary – Telling the Story of Opportunities in Agriculture
Chris Policinski of Land O’Lakes, Inc discusses the need to attract talented students to the field of agriculture.Big Ideas and Emerging Innovations
Highlighting approaches, technologies, and ideas that have the potential to radically advance global food security.Guest Commentary – Engaging Digital Technology for a New African Food System
Sam Dryden discusses how the digital connectivity revolution creates massive opportunities for African agriculture.Meet the 2016 Next Generation Delegation
We are thrilled to feature our Next Generation Delegates at the Global Food Security Symposium 2016.