Water and Agriculture will promote food security and poverty reduction in Africa, says Josue Dione
By Yinka Adeyemi, ECA, 20 September 2004

Poverty reduction and food security in Africa can best be promoted through strategic partnerships built around water and agriculture, the Director of Sustainable Development, Josue Dione said in Johannesburg.

In an address titled "Achieving sustainable development: Building Partnerships" delivered at the Africa Investment Forum co-sponsored by the Commonwealth Business Council, the NEPAD and the Department of Trade of South Africa, Dr. Dione said a focus on water and agriculture would "help us kill several birds with one stone".

He said although more than 60 per cent of the total labour force in African economies are employed in agriculture, the sector has failed to feed the growing populations of Africa.

"Despite commercial food imports of the tune of US$15-20 billion and US$2 billion in food aid annually, 200 million people remain undernourished," said Dione.

He said a structural transformation of Africa''s agricultural systems from subsistence to market-oriented ones would increase rural incomes and serve as a strong engine for growth in African economies.

"Each additional dollar of rural income would yield another increment of $0.50 to $1.70 (or about 50 to 170 percent) in total income through expenditure and consumption linkages among agriculture and other sectors of the national economy," he said.

For full text, please click here.