Africa can solve food crisis - 01.12.2008

More than 100 international scientists, NGO representatives and decision makers discuss recommendations to the Danish Government’s Africa Commission at a seminar at LIFE – the Faculty of LIFE Sciences, University of Copenhagen - on 3 December 2008.

The growing problem of hunger in Africa is caused by the global food crisis. It is possible to do something about it, but it requires massive and long-term investments in the African agricultural sector – not least from private investors.

 

Efficient agriculture needed

Investing in the agricultural sector in Africa is one of the most efficient ways to increase food production, lower food prices and reduce hunger and malnutrition. This is the conclusion of extensive research on developing countries. A positive consequence will be more employment for young Africans and socio-economic growth which in the longer term will lead to increasing return on investments for private investors. Additionally, rising food prices may be an opportunity for African agriculture to increase production and profit, says Y. Museveni, President of Uganda.

 

Against this background, more than 100 international scientists, NGO representatives and decision makers are participating in the seminar ”Hunger, Health and Hope in Africa” on 3 December 2008 at LIFE to discuss recommendations to the Africa Commission (established by the Danish Government and chaired by the Danish Prime Minister).

 

Numbers from the World Bank report "World Development Report: Agriculture for Development"(2007) clearly illustrate the scientists’ point: 70 % of all poor people in the world live in rural areas, but only 4% of all financial aid goes to the agricultural sector, and only 4% of all investments made by developing countries goes to agriculture.

 

Growing Poverty

The consequences for the African populations are very noticeable. Over the past 15 years, the number of Africans living below the poverty line has grown 15%, and approximately one third of the population is still living with a constant risk of hunger and starvation. And these numbers may be expected to continue to rise as a result of the global climate changes. That is if national as well as international investors do not begin to invest heavily in African agriculture.

 

”Africa’s food production has developed very slowly compared with the rest of the world. The result is that almost all African countries are net importers of food. The combination of increasing prices of fertilisers and food is very expensive for the Africans. Not only in terms of money, but also in terms of malnutrition”, says Associate Professor Anders Flach de Neergaard, Director of studies at the Agricultural Development programme at LIFE. Malnutrition during childhood also has a negative impact on children’s physical and mental development which may affect social developments in Africa for decades, adds Professor Henrik Friis from the Department of Human Nutrition at LIFE.

 

”Hunger, Health and Hope in Africa” takes place on 3 December 2008 at LIFE – the Faculty of Life Sciences, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Auditorium 3-14, 9 am – 4 pm. The seminar is free of charge, but you have to register to Louise Dyhr Edjabou . The seminar will take place in English.   In connection with the seminar, the top management of universities in Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya will sign a strategic partnership agreement (STRAPA) with LIFE. The goal of STRAPA is to create growth in the agricultural sector of the three African countries through strengthening of the universities’ capacity in relevant research and education.

 

Programme for the seminar:

 

9.00-9.10 Welcome. Dean Per Holten-Andersen.

9.10-9.20 Introduction. Journalist Kirsten Larsen.

9.20-9.50 The Effect of Increased Agricultural Research, especially in Africa. Research Fellow in the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) Dr. David Spielman.

9.50-10.20 The Second Green Revolution in Africa. Senior Programme Officer, Director, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) Office, Accra, Ghana, Dr. André Bationo.

10.20-10.50 Coffee break.

10.50-11.20 The Africa Commission's view on the role of Agriculture and Agribusiness. Member of the Africa Commission: Klaus Bustrup, Chairman of the Danish Board for International Development Cooperation.

11.20-11.50 Investing in Nutrition: What is the Evidence? Professor of International Nutrition and Health, Faculty of Life Sciences,University of Copenhagen, Henrik Friis.

11.50-12.20 Support of Agribusiness by Value Added Food Processing. Professor in Global Food Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Lene Jespersen.

12.20-12.30 Discussion and presentation of the afternoon programme (Kirsten Larsen).

12.30-13.00 Strategic Partnership Agreement Signing ceremony.

13.00-14.00 Lunch.

14.00-15.00 Working group sessions on policy recommendations for the Africa Commission:

1. Market, Trade and Institutions Recommendations (Chaired by David Spielman). Aud. 3-11.

2. Food Production and Natural Resources Recommendations (Chaired by André Bationo). Aud. 3-12.

3. Health and Nutrition Recommendations (Chaired by Henrik Friis). Aud. 3-06.

15.00-15.20 Presentation of recommendations for the Africa Commission in plenum.

15.20-15.30 Closing remarks, Professor Agnes Mwang'ombe.