Agriculture development agency AGRA has reiterated its commitment to transforming African agriculture, emphasizing the need for enhanced investment in smallholder farmers against a backdrop of increasing global instability and evolving development support.
The recent shift in global development policy has upstaged the decades-long development financing framework with far-reaching consequences.
The agency said these global funding adjustments, which according to the Institute for Security Studies could potentially push an additional 6 million Africans into extreme poverty by 2026, will likely jeopardize progress in agriculture, climate resilience, health, and education.
Alice Ruhweza, who assumed the helm at AGRA made the remarks at a reception event for the organisation’s key partners and donors and which also featured government officials, diplomats, development partners, and private sector leaders.
“We gather at a pivotal moment in international development when the ecosystem of support we have known for decades is fast changing. This shift in the funding landscape demands greater efficiency, innovation, and collaboration from organizations such as AGRA”, Ruhweza said, adding that “these changes only underscore the urgency of AGRA’s mission.”
Despite these headwinds, Ruhweza said, AGRA remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering impact at scale.
Over the past two decades, AGRA has collaborated with African smallholder farmers, civil society, governments, development partners, and the private sector, reaching over 26 million farmers across 11 countries with access to improved seeds, affordable fertilizers, and vibrant markets.
AGRA has set ambitious targets for Kenya, including doubling maize production to 7.9 million bags by 2027, increasing rice production by 574%, and creating 77,000 youth jobs over five years. Ruhweza said that through initiatives such as the National Value Chain Support Programme, AGRA helps 1.26 million farmers across 41 counties to access critical inputs.
Against the backdrop of evolving global priorities and climate change, Ruhweza emphasized the urgency for Africa to champion its own bold, homegrown solutions and highlighted the transformative potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“The African Continental Free Trade Area offers immense potential. With a single market of 1.3 billion people and a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion, intra-African trade in agriculture is projected to rise significantly, offering a game-changer for African farmers and agribusinesses.”
Recognizing that Africa’s future hinges on its youth and women, Ruhweza stressed the importance of equipping young people with the necessary skills and opportunities in agriculture and ensuring women farmers have equal access to resources and markets.
As global development resources become constrained, AGRA is calling upon African governments, philanthropies, impact investors, and private sector actors to collaboratively fill the widening financing gap.
