22 March 2014: The Chair’s Summary of a high-level dialogue on agricultural transformation in Africa has been released under the title ‘Optimism for African Agriculture and Food Systems.’ In the report, meeting co-chairs, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), and Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary-General, reflect on the potential for rapid growth, opportunities to advance change, and steps to couple vision with action for agricultural development in the region.

The report summarizes and reflects on the November 2013 dialogue, ‘Harnessing Innovation for African Agriculture and Food Systems: Meeting the Challenges and Designing for the 21st Century,’ which took place in November 2013, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, convened by the African Union (AU) and the Kofi Annan Foundation, with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

One of the key messages in the report is the need to consider smallholder farmers as part of food systems and supply chains, while looking at agricultural productivity, food security and nutrition in the context of overall economic development and social stability. Other highlights include urbanization and diversification of food markets, government-led visions for agricultural entrepreneurship, the expansion of data and information, market-driven solutions, and other emerging transformations and opportunities for change in the agricultural sector.

The report was presented at the 10th Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Partnership Platform held in Durban, South Africa, from 18-22 March 2014. [High-Level Dialogue on Harnessing Innovation for African Agriculture and Food Systems Website] [Publication: Optimism for African Agriculture and Food Systems] [10th CAADP Partnership Platform Meeting] [CAADP Website]