11 posts from September 2010

Accra, Ghana—In Africa, the way to an agriculture revolution has long been clear. The original Green Revolution in Asia, in the 1960s and ‘70s, provides the classic roadmap.

But where there’s a way doesn’t mean there is a will. In fact, the will to develop agriculture in Africa has long been missing.

“Africa must take the bull by the horns and tackle the structural reasons for underproduction,” urged Mizengo Kayanza Peter Pinda, the prime minister of Tanzania, at the opening of the African Green Revolution Forum here Thursday. His earthy command set a tone of impatience for Africa to finally muster the political will to realize its agriculture potential.

“In Asia, the work of scientists was important, yes, but also the work of politicians to lay the policy framework,” said Kofi Annan, the former United Nations secretary general who is now chairman of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, the host of the forum. Africa, noted Annan, a native Ghanian, needs “fundamental changes in government priorities.”