Africa's agri-food sector, pivotal for global policies - EMRC

"EMRC has always encouraged the development of Africa's agriculture through the active and sustainable partnership of the private sector. The AgriBusiness Forum 2011 is part of the global view that through private and public coordination, the continent's agricultural sector can generate much needed food for the world's growing population and increase agricultural income for African economies," explains Idit Miller, VP and MD at EMRC International.

Encourage investment in a variety of sub-sectors

Africa contains some 60% of the world's uncultivated arable land. Through the fostering of the private sector, Africa has the potential to double its cereal yields and grow an extra 100 million tons of food a year. This would be roughly equivalent to adding another US corn belt to world food production, helping moderate world food price increases, allowing Africa to become a region of major food surplus and helping eradicate hunger and poverty. The vision for Africa's agriculture must include smallholder farmers and encourage investment in a variety of sub-sectors such as: building capacity and encouraging entrepreneurship across the entire market chain, not just in farming: in processing, providing credit, selling seeds and fertilizer, trading and retailing, and in exchanging technology.

Parallel to the essential function of the private sector, the role of civil society is also imperative to ensure a balanced and sustainable development. Through the participation of civil society, the voices of millions of medium and smaller businesses can be heard and understood. It is EMRC's mission this year to encourage, large companies and SMEs, chambers of commerce, associations and member organisations to join the growing trend in balancing private sector know-how and long-term commitment and sustainability.

"This is why the AgriBusiness Forum 2011 is so important for the agri-food sector. A variety of people, all linked to the growth of Africa's agricultural sector are coming together and establishing coherent and practical goals for the sector. The potential and growth for the Agri-Food sector with the private sector has become evident and ambitious," adds Caterina Giuliano, EMRC senior programme manager.

Private sector, key to developing the continent

The guiding rational behind EMRC International's vision is that Africa's private sector must be the key to developing the continent in order to ensure sustainability and long-term growth.

"This is where EMRC plays a central role - we have a wide network of people at the ground-level, who are heading the agri-food sector's transformation across Africa. Bringing together international organisations and EMRC members is critical if we are going to implement policies which are relevant and functional for the people working within the sector," adds Idit Miller.

For more information, go to www.emrc.be.