AFRICAN GREEN REVOLUTION FORUM

Monday, June 14, 2010

Food insecurity is one of the gravest problems in Africa and globally. The food demand represents an unprecedented opportunity for Africa to become a major global food producer. To increase food production in Africa, smallholder farmers need to transform from subsistence to commercial farming and improve agricultural productivity. Public private partnerships will be the key to create momentum, and sustainable progress. The African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) seeks to catalyze investments and increased cooperation to drive development of African agriculture. AGRF will bring together leaders from African governments, local private sector, farming organizations, global enterprises, development agencies and world experts on agricultural development to drive partnership-action. The focus this year is within five specific areas: - The investment opportunity - The policy environment - Reducing the cost of finance - Increasing agricultural productivity - Increasing financial returns to farmers “Ending this food crisis is one of the most important challenges of our time. Addressing this challenge requires bold and well-coordinated partnerships in support of African agriculture.” His Excellency, President Atta Mills, President of the Republic of Ghana \"The African Green Revolution Forum will bring public and private sector stakeholders together aiming to boost Africa’s agricultural development,” says Namanga Ngongi, President of AGRA. “The rapidly increasing demand for food presents both challenges and opportunities for Africa. We want to inspire action and public-private partnerships that boost both smallholder and commercial farming.” Key facts: - A new initiative: The first Africa-based African Green Revolution Forum - A public private sector-led Forum for Africa aiming to develop a sustainable African green revolution - Drive transformative change through partnership-action - unlock Africa’s agricultural growth potential - Behind the initiative are AGRA (Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa), Yara International, Nepad and Standard Bank. - The 2010 Forum will be co-chaired by Mr. Kofi A. Annan, and hosted by H. E. John Atta Mills, President of Ghana - The Forum will take place at the Accra International Conference Centre September 2-4 2010 - The forum stems from 3 successful conferences in Oslo, Norway in 2006, 2007 and 2008 Confirmed speakers - King David Amoah, President, Farmers Organisations Network in Ghana (FONG) - Dr. Ousmane Badiane, Africa Director, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) - Mr. Jorgen Ole Haslestad, President and CEO, Yara, International ASA - Mr Toks Abimbola, Co-Founder and Board Member, GADCO Limited - Her Excellency Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, African Union For more information Ingrid Helsingen Warner Arne Cartridge Communications, African Green Revolution Forum Executive Co-Producer E-mail: ingrid.warner@oandco.ch Email: arne.cartridge@leidar.org Phone: +41 79 548 3880 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              +41 79 548 3880      end_of_the_skype_highlighting Phone: +47 47 900 900 www.agrforum.com