Events

Increasing Agricultural Productivity and Enhancing Food Security in Africa

Africa Hall, United Nations Economic Comission for Africa
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Motivated by its mission to find solutions that reduce poverty and eliminate hunger and malnutrition from the world, the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), in conjunction with the African Union Commission and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, proposes an international conference under the theme "Increasing Agricultural Productivity and Enhancing Food Security in Africa: New Challenges and Opportunities".

Motivated by its mission to find solutions that reduce poverty and eliminate hunger and malnutrition from the world, the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), in conjunction with the African Union Commission and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, proposes an international conference under the theme “Increasing Agricultural Productivity and Enhancing Food Security in Africa: New Challenges and Opportunities". Even though many countries have made significant progress in the last decade, poverty and malnutrition continue to be major problems in Sub-Saharan Africa. Agricultural production increased to 12.3 percent of gross domestic product in 2009. Yet, 72.9 percent of the population live on less than US$2 per day, 27.5 percent consume inadequate calories, and 23.6 percent of children under five are underweight. Increasing agricultural productivity can increase food availability and access as well as rural incomes. Fortunately, Africa has experienced continuous agricultural growth during the last few years. However, much of the growth has emanated from area expansion rather than increases in land productivity. In most countries, future sustainable agricultural growth will require a greater emphasis on productivity growth, as suitable area for new cultivation declines, particularly given growing concerns about deforestation and climate change.

The subthemes for the conference are the following:

  • Science, technology, and innovation in agriculture
  • Rural service provision and access to factors and inputs for production
  • Food reserves, markets, trade, and regional integration
  • Investments, institutions, and policies for supporting agriculture
  • Agriculture, nutrition, and health linkages
  • Agriculture and climate change mitigation and adaptation
  • Capacity development for agriculture through education and training
  • Role of agriculture and the rural nonfarm sector in economic growth and national poverty reduction
  • Regional value-chains development as a pathway for increased agricultural productivity.

Format: The conference will comprise plenary and parallel presentations and discussions of papers and moderated panel
discussions of specific issues.

Expected Outcomes: There will be a conference synopsis report and policy briefs on key issues raised and policy solutions suggested by presenters and discussants. Full papers will be developed as chapters of an edited book on “Strategies to Increase Agricultural Productivity in Africa for Enhancing Food and Nutrition Security and Rural Incomes.”

Participants: Representatives of regional, national, and international organizations, and individuals, including farmers, farmer and trader organization representatives, researchers, policymakers, academics, and members of the private sector.

Theme Leader, at the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), Mr. Gerald C. Nelson is expected to participate in the conference.

Contact
Email: Dr. Kwadwo Asenso-Okyere
k [dot] asenso-okyere [at] cgiar [dot] org
P. O. Box: 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
+251-11-6-172325 • +251-11-6-172500