Annan Advocates for Investment in Small Farmers

Arusha- Farmers have the enthusiasm but need the necessary support from the government.

This was the message of Kofi Annan, chairman of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and former Secretary-General of the United Nations on the first day of the three-day African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) in Arusha, Tanzania.

The overall focus of the forum is dedicated to improving the life of the farmer so that she can become more self-sufficient and empowered to reduce hunger and poverty in her community.

Flanked by Melinda Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Annan had visited several small cassava farmers in the rural Arusha area before the press briefing.

“What we saw this morning was fantastic,” Annan said. Gates agreed, said she was encouraged by the farmers’ increasing productivity, and pleaded with governments to assist them more.