New deal to boost sustainable farming in Africa and the Americas

Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA). [iStockphoto] Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) have launched a new joint work plan to deepen technical cooperation and transform food systems through sustainable agriculture in Africa and the Americas. The partnership aims to support inclusive agricultural transformation ahead of key global milestones such as COP30 in Brazil and the G20 Summit in South Africa. The collaboration brings together two institutions with complementary strengths. AGRA is focused on advancing smallholder farming across Africa by working with governments, the private sector, civil society, and farmers. IICA, the specialised agency for agriculture in the Americas, works to promote rural development through international technical cooperation and policy support. "This South-South partnership is a powerful signal of shared ambition," said AGRA President Alice Ruhweza. "At a time when global food systems are under immense strain, collaboration across continents is not just strategic but very essential. African countries have so much to benefit from the experience, approaches, and innovations in Latin America. By uniting our expertise and resources with IICA, we are laying the foundation for more resilient, equitable, and sustainable food systems that benefit smallholder farmers and rural communities across both regions." IICA Director General Dr Manuel Otero echoed the sentiment, emphasising the importance of joint solutions for shared challenges. "Africa and the Americas share common agricultural challenges and opportunities. This partnership allows us to harness our mutual strengths to accelerate rural transformation, promote sustainable trade, and support communities vulnerable to climate and economic shocks." The work plan outlines a shared vision to improve rural livelihoods, increase agricultural productivity and trade, build resilience in agrifood systems, and promote environmentally sustainable practices. The partnership responds to growing calls from governments and stakeholders for stronger inter-regional cooperation to address urgent challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, and rural poverty. Dr Otero added that Africa, with 65 percent of the world's uncultivated arable land and 10 per cent of its renewable freshwater resources, holds vast agricultural and environmental potential. "This partnership with AGRA helps us implement regenerative tropical agriculture practices across the continent and positions Africa as a vital player in the global food supply chain," he said. The renewed partnership builds on a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2021, growing from a series of meaningful exchanges over the last few years. These conversations have spanned events like the Africa- Americas Joint Ministerial Summit in Costa Rica in 2022, the Inter-Regional Ministerial Roundtable in Vietnam in 2023, and the launch of the Africa Living Soils Initiative in Kenya in 2024, timed alongside the Africa Fertiliser and Soil Health Summit. More recently, the Africa-Brazil Dialogue on Agricultural Research, Development, and Innovation in Brasilia brought together farmers, researchers, experts, and even Nobel Prize-winning soil scientist Professor Rattan Lal. It was a chance for these groups to come together and share ideas, leading to a commitment to exchange 30 researchers between Africa and Latin America. This initiative focuses on regenerative agriculture, food security, and restoring degraded lands, all to support farmers and their communities. AGRA and IICA seek to keep the momentum going by strengthening connections between farmers, researchers, and policymakers on both continents. Their goal is to make sustainable agriculture a central part of building a food-secure future for everyone.

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