Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) president, Jane Karuku, agriculture has to take its rightful place in Africa and African governments need to live up to their commitments.
She has affirmed that impact of investments in agriculture is up to three to four times greater than the same amount invested in other sectors in Africa.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum on Africa in Cape Town on Thursday, Karuku said “Smallholder farmers in Africa face many challenges, but the opportunities on offer should far exceed these. Governments have a big role to play in resolving the unfriendly business environment that currently prevents smallholder farmers from commercialising their operations and moving beyond subsistence. We need to ensure that farmers have access to inputs like improved seeds, but they must also be empowered to sell their own produce on markets," she said.
"Growth in Africa's agricultural sector, food security and poverty alleviation across the continent all depend on achieving this goal."
African governments had pledge to increase allocations to agriculture to at least 10 per cent of their national budgets. However, the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), in 2010, stated that only eight African countries had met their pledge to commit 10 per cent of their national budget to agriculture, while many others were making progress.
Zambia is one of the countries lagging behind in budgetary allocations to agriculture; attributing only 8 percent of this year's K32.2 trillion (KR32.2 billion) budget to agriculture.
Karuku added that "It makes good sense to increase investment in agriculture in line with the CAADP commitments. As our evidence shows, every dollar invested in agriculture in Africa has an impact on poverty reduction which is up to three to four times greater than the same amount invested in other sectors."
Karuku said the biggest contribution to reducing poverty could come from the agricultural sector where "most Africans earn their livelihoods".
"Africa needs widespread and sustainable economic growth, and the continent is showing fast progress.”
Strive Masiyiwa, vice chair of AGRA and founder of Econet Wireless collaborated that: "WEF Africa 2013 is asking the question: how we can deliver on Africa's promise? The answer is that agriculture must be at the heart of our efforts. Governments must become much more courageous on this issue, especially when it comes to land rights, the policy environment, and access to finance and infrastructure."
He emphasised the role of the private sector in achieving sustainable growth in the agriculture sector.
"Promoting investment in the agriculture sector requires governments and other stakeholders to speak to private investors, so that they gain a better understanding of the business environment, the regulatory bottlenecks they face, and the incentives on offer," said Masiyiwa.
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