19 June 2008: Speaking at the twenty-fifth African Regional Conference, Director-General of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Jacques Diouf, underlined the challenges of climate change and the recent rise in food prices for African agriculture.
While noting that “African agriculture still faces many constraints, being undercapitalized, inefficient and uncompetitive,” Diouf expressed his conviction […]
19
June 2008: Speaking at the twenty-fifth African Regional Conference,
Director-General of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Jacques
Diouf, underlined the challenges of climate change and the recent rise in food
prices for African agriculture.
While
noting that “African agriculture still faces many constraints, being
undercapitalized, inefficient and uncompetitive,” Diouf expressed his
conviction that “with political will and good governance, Africa can change its
agriculture and succeed in feeding its population.” He further explained that
the main factors inhibiting agricultural development in Africa include lack of
access to improved seeds and fertilizers and lack of adequate irrigation. He
concluded by outlining an FAO initiative in response to soaring food prices to
support the low-income food-deficit countries by facilitating poor farmers’
access to inputs. [FAO press release] [FAO Initiative
on Soaring Food Prices]