Agriculture

The Challenge

Development assistance for agriculture in the developing world has declined over the last two decades, leaving many poor countries more vulnerable to hunger and poverty. In sub-Saharan Africa especially, agriculture has been plagued by low productivity and under-investment, making it difficult for Africans to feed themselves and earn an income from farming. The spike in food prices in 2008 jeopardized even more people in poor countries as the price of imported foods such as rice, wheat, and corn peaked. This, coupled with the global financial crisis, resulted in a devastating economic impact on families, who often spend at least half of their income on food. It is estimated that between 2008 and 2009 there will be 100 million more hungry people around the world, bringing the total number to approximately 1.02 billion.

The Opportunity

Investing in agriculture will help the world's poorest people earn their way out of poverty. This is especially true in sub-Saharan Africa, where agriculture is the backbone of most economies and employs nearly two-thirds of the population. In addition to fueling economic growth, investment in agriculture will also enable the world's poorest countries to better feed their people and weather shocks caused by changing global food prices.

In addition to food aid, tools such as fertilizer and seeds are urgently needed to help communities deal with the immediate impacts of the food crisis. In the long-term, food security and economic growth will require investing in agriculture. With stronger infrastructure, improved technology and training, farmers could benefit from increased crop yields and stronger connections to domestic, regional, and international markets.

Learn more, read the full Agriculture Issue Brief...