New technologies for African agriculture

Addis Ababa, 2 June 2013: Africa needs to double food production between now and 2050 to ensure food security for a growing population. Fortunately, new technologies are available  tested, proven and already in use  that can substantially increase crop yields and food production. With government agencies, non-government organizations and the private sector working together, these technologies can be scaled out, benefiting millions of families across the continent.

This was the unanimous view of international experts gathered at the Africa Committee meeting of the Board of Directors of the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) on 02 June 2013.

The meeting, provided a comprehensive review of IFDC’s Africa projects: progress, challenges, priorities for the future, and opportunities to expand partnerships with other organizations involved in agricultural development in Africa. Specifically, it laid out plans for ongoing and new projects that will expand food production, fight hunger and poverty, and create better livelihoods for small-scale farmers.

Policy makers confident

The meeting was opened by H.E. Erastus Mwencha, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission; Prof. Tekalign Mamo, Adviser to the State Minister for Agriculture, goverment of Ethiopia; and H.E. Dr Agnes Kalibata, Minister for Agriculture, government of Rwanda.

Mr. Mwencha was optmistic that outcomes from the meeting would impact directly on small-scale farmers across Africa. “Agriculture must develop, for national and regional economies to grow,” he said. “Discussions at this meeting will find a place in national policy, and faciltate people to work together to transform Africa from a food importer to an exporter.”

“Agricultural development is a national priority,” Prof. Mamo said. “This is where IFDC’s support, its technical expertise and worldwide experience, will be vital. As an international organization with long experience in Africa, IFDC offers a great deal to national organizations. IFDC projects in Ethiopia have shown excellent results, and I have no doubt that their new initiatives will be equally successful.”

New technologies save resources

Technical presentations at the meeting described new technologies and innovative market-driven approaches that can increase yields, protect soil and water resources, and strengthen agricultural value chains.

One such technology is Fertilizer Deep Placement (FDP) – a simple, low-cost method being promoted by IFDC, that can allows farmers to use 30 to 40 percent less fertilizer, and harvest the same or even higher yields. In Bangladesh, FDP is used on more than 1.3 million hectares, producing an extra 860,000 tons of rice every year. In Africa, it is being scaled out in 13 countries in collaboration with government agencies and international donors. Adoption has grown rapidly because FDP is easy to use, requires only limited investment, and is highly profitable. It is also environment-friendly: it reduces fertilizer contamination of groundwater, and lowers the carbon footprint of fertilizer by a remarkable 60 percent.

African Union

Agriculture is the central element of economic growth and poverty reduction in Africa. It is also the main tool for the attainment of food security and alleviation of hunger on the continent. These two attributes are the basis for the Millennium Development Goal No 1 (MDG1).

The leadership of the AU has repeatedly reiterated its commitment to a food secure Africa especially during the tenure of President Bingu Wa Mutharika of Malawi as Chairman of the African Union. Apart from the launch of the African Food Basket initiative the African Food and Nutrition Security Day was also launched in October 2010.

The Division of Agriculture and Food Security of DREA is best positioned to address to most of these challenges especially through Comprehensive African Agriculture Programme (CAADP) and other projects and programmes.

IFDC, a global leader

IFDC, the International Fertilizer Development Center, is an international non-profit organization that has worked in Africa for almost 40 years. IFDC implements a range of agricultural development projects that have helped increase crop yields, improve soil fertility, build market linkages, and train and support farmers as well as agro-entrepreneurs.

In Ethiopia, IFDC works closely with the African Union Commission’s Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture, the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture, the Agricultural Transformation Agency, and with donors such as USAID and the Netherlands.

IFDC and its partners combine cutting-edge research with development programs at grassroots level. Together, they have implemented development projects in over 100 countries; their capacity development initiatives have benefited 150 countries.

For more infomation contact
Dr Oumou Camara
Senior Scientist-Economist Seconded to the African Union Commission and IFDC Country Representative, Ethiopia
Email OCamara@ifdc.org; camarao@africa-union.org