Africa Renewal: Special edition on Agriculture

AS THE AFRICAN UNION MARKS 2014 AS THE YEAR OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY, this special edition looks at the many challenges and opportunities facing Africa’s agriculture – from land issues, to investments and innovations inspired by information technology, to the important role played by women in fighting hunger and malnutrition. It mixes new and updated stories that have been previously published in Africa Renewal over the past few years.

Amid raving economic forecasts that Africa will be the next big emerging market, chronic food shortages remain stubbornly immune to solutions. The African Union is aware of this weak link and is working to convince its members to boost investments in agriculture. To emphasize the central role of agriculture in Africa’s economic growth, the regional body has declared 2014 as the Year of Agriculture and Food Security.

Convincing leaders to treat agriculture not only as a solution to end poverty and hunger but also as a major contributor to economic development deserving of public investments is a tall order. It demands strong political commitment and an enlightened leadership. But there are signs of progress, thanks in part to an innovative programme by the AU’s development agency, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, called the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP)
– See more at: http://www.un.org/africarenewal/magazine/special-edition-agriculture-2014/africa%E2%80%99s-food-policy-needs-sharper-teeth#sthash.sd2MRHWr.dpuf

Publisher: United Nations
Edition: Special edition
Year of Publication: 2014