UN WORLD FOOD SUMMIT: KOFI ANNAN ARRIVES WITH AGRA MESSAGE

By JULIA DAY, STEPS Centre member

Ban Ki-moon’s predecessor at the head of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, was due to arrive in Rome this morning to sign an agreement with UN food agencies for a new drive to increase farm production in Africa. Photo: Kofi Annan / Julia Day

“We hope to spur a green revolution in Africa which respects biodiversity and the continent’s distinct regions,” said Annan, who chairs the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) which is coordinating the effort, in a statement.

Mr Annan chaired a recent conference in Salzburg, Toward a Green Revolution in Africa, co-hosted by STEPS affiliate Future Agricultures Consortium. There was much debate in Salzburg about a ‘uniquely African Green Revolution’ needing to consist of more than technical fixes, increased access to seeds and fertilisers and increased production. Find out more about the debates in our Salzburg blogs and on the website.