AGRA and USDA explore ways to help smallholder farmers in Africa through coordinated research, exchanges, training and development activities

May 26, 2011. WASHINGTON. The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore ways to help smallholder farmers in Africa through coordinated research, exchanges, training and development activities.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack (left)
and Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)
President Dr. Namanga Ngongi (right) signed a
Memorandum of Understanding in Secretary Vilsack’s office
 in Washington, DC, on Thursday, May 26, 2011.

AGRA and USDA joint efforts to promote seed development and soil enhancement, reduce crop loss, manage water resources, improve data collection, develop farmer training programs, create market information systems, and improve human capacity and food-related infrastructure in Africa.

The MOU will be in effect for five years. AGRA and USDA will initially focus on increasing food production in African breadbasket regions – areas with high potential because of existing policies, infrastructure and growing conditions – such as Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Tanzania and Mozambique.