Modernisation of the African Farming and Food Economy - Adaptation to the Climate Change

Friday, 15th January 2010, 10.00 - 12.00 hrs,

International Congress Center (ICC) Berlin, Hall 3

A dozing giant or the birth of a new emerging economy – Africa’s role in global agriculture trade lies above all in its importance as an exporter of agricultural commodities such as coffee, cocoa and other special crops. However, there is little room for optimism. Agriculture in Africa suffers from chronic underperformance. Due to low productivity, a lack of investment and inputs, African farmers are hardly able to secure their livelihoods. Hunger and poverty are once again on the rise. In Africa, competitive, high-yield and climate adaptable agriculture is nothing less than a matter of survival. It is also becoming increasingly clear that the world needs Africa as an economic area and partner, and more and more as a supplier of agricultural commodities and processed agricultural products and foods. There is a need for solutions that foster both cooperation between partners and economic success.

The weakness of African agriculture is at the same time its greatest hope. Fallow agricultural land is not only a burden, it also offers chances for dynamic agricultural development that could benefit many. With its huge agricultural resources, the African continent is already attracting both private and public investors. Whether this is a blessing or a curse, one thing is clear: calls for a paradigm shift and fundamental reforms and modernisation are being increasingly heard. Africa must become more productive agriculturally and position itself as an equal partner in global trade, both as a producer and a market for agricultural goods.

What will Africa’s agriculture sector look like in five, ten or twenty years? Is the future of small-scale farming to be found among baobabs and loam-brick huts, in high-tech agriculture, or somewhere in between? What role will new stakeholders, for example private investors, have? What does sustainability and good governance mean within the context of a new and forward-looking agricultural sector? What will be the influence of climate change on these developments?

These questions and other challenges will be discussed and talked about by:

Welcome note

Dr. Gerd Müller,
Parliamentary State Secretary, Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection

Keynote

Dr. Hans Herren,
President of the Millennium Institute

Panel

Dr. Abera Deresa,
State Minister, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ethiopia

Tumusiime Rhoda Peace,
AU Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture

Dr. Ramadjita Tabo,
Deputy Executive Director of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)

Dr. Stefan Schmitz,
Head of  Division 314, Rural development & Global Food Security, Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development

Dr. Hagen Duenbostel,
Member of the Executive Board, KWS Saat

David O'Halloran,
Director at africaJUICE.com

Glimpses

Clement N. Dlamini,
Minister of Agriculture, Swaziland

Laurent Sedogo,
Minister of Agriculture, Water & Water Resources Burkina Faso

Wrap-up and steps forward

Dr. Hans-Joachim Preuß,
Managing Director, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH

Facilitator

Tumi Makgabo,
South Africa, tumimakgabo.com