Dr Kofi Annan, the former Secretary-General of the UN and Chairman, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)? on Thursday solicited for increased support for small scale farmers in recognition of? their valuable contribution to the food value chain.
Annan made the call while addressing newsmen at the ongoing 2012 African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) taking place in Arusha, Tanzania.
He described small scale farmers as key players in moving industries forward.
“Farmers living in African rural communities deserve more support and concern from people living in the urban areas,’’ Annan said.
He said the forum brings together hundreds of stakeholders to recognise and celebrate the contribution to the progress of the Africa that had been provided by agriculture up till now and to emphasise the need for continued investments in the sector.
He added that the Forum aimed to encourage needed support to build self-sufficient and more prosperous societies for the long term.
“The overall focus of the forum is dedicated to improving the life of the farmers so that they can become more self-sufficient and empowered to reduce hunger and poverty in their communities’’ he added.
He explained that at present governments had realised the importance of agricultural growth which facilitate the rise of economy as well as provide job opportunity for the citizens.
“Increased commitments to the agricultural sector would ensure food security and overcome shortages that prevent riots while according respects to democratic governments,'' he added.
Speaking earlier, Melinda Gates, co-chair and Co–founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, emphasised the importance attached to improving family nutritional contents for proper growth and development.
Gates called for increased awareness, market connection and support to small scale farmers as well as ways to adapt? to climate changes with necessary supports from stakeholders.
She commended rural farmers for embracing agricultural transformations especially in the area of cassava farming.
Gates assured partners of AGRA'S renewed commitments to green revolution programme stressing the importance of putting small scale farmers at the centre.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN reports that Annan and Gates had earlier visited rural cassava farmers and a commercial village dedicated to cassava processing to assess the positive impact that higher yields and increased market opportunities offered in a suburb of Arusha,.
The forum which was declared open by President Jakaya Kikwete, of United Republic of Tanzania, is being attended by IFAD
President, Dr Kanayo Nwanze, Dr Nkosazama Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of AU Commission and Ms Jane Karuku , the
President, Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) among others.
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