AUC, AGRA sign MoU to grow agriculture

The African Union  Commission and the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will make the continent more food secured.

The agreement is to foster collaboration and strengthen the working relationship between Africa Union Commission (AUC)   and Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) so as to support the strong implementation of AU´s Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP).

CAADP brings together key players - at the continental, regional and national levels - to improve co-ordination, share knowledge, successes and failures, to encourage one another, and to promote joint and separate efforts to achieve the CAADP goals.

Speaking at the brief ceremony, Africa Union´s commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, Tmusiime Rhoda peace, promised that the signing of the MOU is a re-affirmation of the need to work with AGRA as they have competitive edge in dealing with smallholder farmers in the continent.

Explaining that 2014 declared as the AU Year of Agriculture and Food Security will not be achievable if they don't work with notable partners like AGRA, 'we need everybody, wherever they are placed and in whatever they do to be part of the building the case for agriculture and demonstrating what agriculture can do on the continent in the entire year of 2014.'

Speaking at the launch, Deputy Chairman, AGRA, Strive Masiyiwa said it is coincidence that the Africa Union used their platform to bring African leaders together 10 years ago in Maputo to launch Agriculture revolution with the pledge of 10% of their national budget to agriculture.

'It is wonderful that we are here in Maputo to access how far the journey has been and how to re-assess how to defeat hunger in Africa.'

The President of AGRA, Jane Karuku appreciating what the AUC has done with CAADP in trying to eliminate hunger and reduce poverty through agriculture, promised the support of AGRA in increasing agriculture productivity and promote agriculture development by addressing best practices.