The African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) 2014 is underway in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Driven by this year’s theme, “Beyond the Tipping Point: a New Vision and Strategies for Inclusive and Sustainable Transformation,” AGRF 2014 brings together a diverse range of thought leaders, champions, and investors committed to finding new conversations and solutions towards the transformation of the livelihoods and agency of smallholder farmers and African agriculture in general. AGRF 2014 follows on the heels of the 23rd African Union (AU) Summit in June 2014, at which representatives adopted the Malabo Declaration, pledging an increased commitment to agricultural growth.
AGRF 2014, which began on September 1 and continues through September 4, focuses on six topics drawn from the AU’s Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Framework: increasing food productivity and ending hunger; research and technology; sustainable agriculture; commodity markets and trade; inclusive agriculture; and increased financing along the value chain. It features keynote addresses from notable figures such as Kofi Annan, Former UN Secretary-General and Chair of the Africa Progress Panel, Kanayo Nwanze, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development, and Jane Karuku, President of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), among others.
Additionally, AGRF 2014 highlights insights from 240 experts through panel discussions, breakaway sessions, and other events. These experts include leaders such as Lindiwe Majele Sibanda, CEO and Head of Mission of the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network, who emphasized the need for greater investment in women in agriculture, and Nigeria's Minister of Agriculture Rural Development Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, who called for government leaders to “unlock the potential” within agricultural land. “I have every confidence that we will feed Africa,” Dr. Adesina remarked.
The new AGRA report, Africa Agriculture Status Report 2014: Climate Change and Smallholder Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa, was also announced at AGRF 2014. John Kufuor, Former President of Ghana, Chairperson of the AU, and the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Climate Change, released the report, noting: “Humanity is at an environmental crossroads.” He also highlighted the importance of embracing climate-smart agriculture, stressing that “none of us will be immune to the impacts of climate change.”
AGRF 2014 is organized by a Partners Group that includes AGRA and the AU. Video highlights from AGRF 2014 are now available, and upcoming events and sessions will be broadcast via live stream.