Note from Publisher
In the African context, some agribusiness leaders say there is a need to invest US$45 billion per year to harness the power of agriculture and move up the value chain to create jobs and wealth. At present, only US$7 billion is invested in the agricultural sector however, investments from the private sector could create the adequate environment and enhance the emergence of locally owned agro-processing industries, capable of creating jobs and increasing incomes in rural Africa. The continent could become a net exporter of agricultural commodities, replacing US$110 billion worth of imports, as well as doubling its share of market value for select processed commodities. With nearly 65% of the uncultivated arable land, Africa has the potential to be a major supplier in the global food market. Business study reports show that Africa could double to triple their production of cereals and grains, which would result in adding 20% more cereals and grains to the current worldwide 2.6 billion tons of output.
When we created our agrifrica.com platform, we thought about the ways we can promote the three sectors: agriculture, energy and environment, as these sectors are part of the SDGs and are imperative for the #FutureofEarth. As an extension of the platform, we publish a bimonthly digital magazine that allows us to highlight specific topics in these sectors. Since our first issue, we have published various articles focusing on these sectors and interviewed Mr. Seth Siegel, author of “Troubled Water” and “Let there be Water”; Patrick Reasonover, filmmaker of “They say it can’t be done” and Valentin Thurn, filmmaker of “10 Billion: what’s on your plate”. If you want to receive our Agrifrica Newsletter, subscribe at agrifrica.com. We are working on our next publication, and if you would like to advertise or write an article for our publication, contact us.
Agrifrica Digital Magazine
In this issue, you will find:
- Articles from various writers including Center of Excellence in Agriculture, which can easily be replicated in Africa.
- 5 selected books and 5 selected films on agriculture particularly on seeds.
- Interview with filmmaker Valentin Thurn.
US-Africa Engagement
USAID Weekly: December 18, 2020
MCC GAINS HISTORIC FUNDING, KEY PROGRAM AUTHORITY BY CONGRESS
As part of funding for U.S. Government agencies through September of 2021 (FY21), MCC will receive $912 million – an increase of $7 million over FY20 levels and the highest appropriation in 10 years. This critical funding increase will support MCC’s portfolio around the world, including its first concurrent regional compact, and will provide much-needed administrative funding to ensure the agency continues to produce effective and accountable programs. Read more
MCC BOARD OF DIRECTORS SELECTS NEW COUNTRIES FOR GRANT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
As part of the annual selection process, MCC’s Board of Directors reselected Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, and Niger as eligible for concurrent compact programs for regional integration; Malawi, Mozambique, Timor-Leste, and Tunisia for compact development; and Ethiopia, Kenya, and The Gambia for threshold program development. The Board also reaffirmed its support for continuing compact development in Indonesia, Kosovo, and Lesotho. The Board discontinued the proposed compact with Sri Lanka. Read more.
MCC AND GOVERNMENT OF TOGO LAUNCH THRESHOLD PROGRAM TO BENEFIT THE PEOPLE OF TOGO
The Threshold Program will also support the Government of Togo’s efforts to expand access to land through the recognition and protection of legitimate land rights in five pilot areas across the country, and to develop a regulatory framework to implement the proposed new land code. The Threshold Program incorporates stringent accountability mechanisms to ensure that MCC funds are tied to results and are used only for programmatic purposes. Read more.
2016–2025 FOOD ASSISTANCE AND FOOD SECURITY STRATEGY
Urbanization is increasing, with the number of those residing in urban slums expected to double by 2030 from the current level of 1 billion.23 This places enormous pressure on governments struggling to provide access to water, sanitation, and health care. While needs related to malnutrition in rural areas still outstrip those in urban ones—a child in a rural area is twice as likely to be stunted as his or her urban counterpart24—rapid urbanization sets the stage for new challenges—as well as opportunities—in the future. Increased flexibility in FFP’s emergency programming has already strengthened its ability to respond effectively to emergency needs in urban contexts. Read more.
Interview with Filmmaker Valentin Thurn
Interesting Articles
KENYAN INSURTECH STARTUP PULA RAISES $6M SERIES A TO DERISK SMALLHOLDER FARMERS ACROSS AFRICA
Pula, a Kenyan insurtech startup that specializes in digital and agricultural insurance to derisk millions of smallholder farmers across Africa, has closed a Series A investment of $6 million. (…) Founded by Rose Goslinga and Thomas Njeru in 2015, Pula delivers agricultural insurance and digital products to help smallholder farmers navigate climate risks, improve their farming practices and bolster their incomes over time. (…)Through its partnerships with banks, governments and agricultural input companies, Pula is at the center of an ecosystem that provides insurance to smallholder farmers and has amassed 50 insurance partners and six reinsurance partners. Read more
FAITHS INSTITUTE ASKS GATES FOUNDATION TO CHANGE TACTICS IN AFRICA
An African faiths environmental institute is calling on the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to stop funding green revolution technologies and genetically modified seeds for the continent, but instead support natural methods to help Africa achieve food sufficiency and protect its environments. (…) He cited recent border disruptions in East Africa where Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania demanded COVID-19 testing or certificates of tests from drivers and crews, resulting in delaying delivery of food commodities. This led to an increase in the prices of certain foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables. Read more
AGRICULTURE KEY TO AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT SAYS AU COMMISSIONER
In partnership with the European Union, the African Union will soon implement the recommendations of the joint report on Rural Africa where four areas of action stand out, among them the implementation of the strategy for territorial development and job creation, sustainable management of land, natural resources and climate action. Read more
WHY AGRIBUSINESS INVESTMENT IS MOST EXCITING FOR AFRICA
Under the theme: ‘Transformation of Agribusiness and SMEs in the digital economy under AfCFTA’, HCI’s Strategic Leaders’ Summit, known for its thoughtful deliberations, will centre on providing solutions to the continent’s most pressing agribusiness and SMEs challenges. (…) According to the United Nations 2018, Agriculture will continue to generate employment in Africa over the coming decades. Agribusiness segments along the value chain such as farming, processing, packaging, transportation, distribution, marketing, and financial services are expected to be the continent’s biggest employers. Read more
Correction in the last Newsletter
Adewale Adeyemo is the first 39 year old African-American from Nigeria who is a strong advocate of multilateralism to be appointed United States Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. Read Branding Democracy.
Fun Facts
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Cattle, goats, sheep and pigs all have their origins as farmed animals in the so-called Fertile Crescent, a region covering eastern Turkey, Iraq and southwestern Iran. Dates for the domestication of these animals range from between 13,000 to 10,000 years ago. The first agriculture in Africa began in the heart of the Sahara Desert, which in 5200 BC was far more moist and densely populated than today. Egyptians were among the first peoples to practice agriculture on a large scale, starting in the pre-dynastic period from the end of the Paleolithic into the Neolithic, between around 10,000 BC and 4000 BC. Several native species were domesticated, most importantly pearl millet, sorghum and cowpeas, which spread through West Africa and the Sahel. This was made possible with the development of basin irrigation.
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Norman Ernest Borlaug (25 March 1914 – 12 September 2009) was an American agricultural scientist, and humanitarian. He is considered by some to be the "father of modern agriculture" and the father of the green revolution. He won the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize for his life's work.
On January 1st, 1701, Jethro Tull who created an efficient way to seed the fields invented the Seed Drill. The seed drill planted seeds in straight lines, a mechanical horse-drawn hoe, which Tull also invented, could be used to remove weeds from between the lines of crop plants. The growing use of factory-made agricultural machinery increased farmers' need for cash and encouraged commercial farming. In 1842, the first grain elevator was used in Buffalo, New York.
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