How to transform African agriculture (Project Syndicate) 

In a report on trends for African agriculture, Project Syndicate wrote that with soaring food prices, climate change, and rapid population growth undermining food security in Africa, the continent is in dire need of an agricultural revolution. While the pandemic and the war in Ukraine have exacerbated global food insecurity, throwing millions into extreme poverty and reversing decades of progress, the situation is even direr in lower-income African countries. Fortunately, steps taken by three forward-looking countries show that success is not only possible but well within reach. These examples show how some countries are dealing with the challenges of multiple crises, creating a clear vision, and a strong commitment to governance mechanisms. The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) found that since 2004, Rwanda, one of the three countries, has been developing and implementing its Strategic Plan for the Transformation of Agriculture (PSTA). IFPRI estimates that every dollar that the government spends on agriculture corresponds to a $2.05 gain in GDP, implying that the program delivered $730 million in economic gains between 2018 and 2021, helping to lift 1.1 million people out of poverty. Rwanda’s Strategic Plan has also improved watershed management and soil conservation.

Republished in EJInsights and The Independent.