Public and private investment in global agricultural development
The Symposium on Global Agriculture and Food Security, hosted by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs on May 20 gathered policymakers, development experts and business leaders to build momentum for change in U.S. food security and agricultural development policy.
USAID Administrator Raj Shah announced the release of the Feed the Future Guide, the implementation strategy for the U.S. government’s global hunger and food security initiative. The guide outlines the approach the U.S. government will take to fulfill President Obama’s pledge of $3.5 billion over three years for agricultural development.
“The goal cannot simply be to reach x number of farmers through project implementation but to create viable and energetic market-oriented agricultural economies.” -Administrator Shah
Shah’s keynote address affirmed the Obama administration’s position that increased private investment in agriculture is necessary to create sustainable economic impact. He outlined four steps the Feed the Future program will take to transform food security across the whole value chain.
- Collect feedback from the private sector on USAID investments
- Refocus efforts to increase agricultural business investments in priority countries
- Encourage more creative partnerships with large-scale buyers of food to create durable market demand
- Use regional investments to develop trade and investment corridors
Read the full text of Administrator Shah’s remarks
Learn more about the Feed the Future program
“Agricultural growth is more effective in reducing poverty than any other sector effort” –Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia
Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf delivered a keynote address that highlighted recent agricultural successes in Liberia and discussed how Feed the Future can benefit target countries. She applauded the initiative for encouraging participation by key stakeholder groups, such as women, and for its commitment to governance and accountability. Sirleaf identified agriculture as a tool for job growth and food security and called for specific investment in infrastructure and smallholders.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack spoke on USDA’s role in Feed the Future. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive, long-term approach that focuses on developing sustainable solutions to food insecurity. Vilsack also noted that improved regional and global trade must be part of the solution.
Read excerpts from Secretary Vilsack’s remarks
Pioneer Hi-Bred President Paul Schickler noted that a holistic view and collaboration across the public and private sectors are critical for sustainably increasing agricultural productivity. Pioneer is working with USAID, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and others at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center in Kenya to maximize maize harvests and use less fertilizer.
Read Schickler’s Huffington Post Op-ed
“If you’re from the private sector, tell us what countries and donors can do to reduce constraints on business operations.” – Administrator Shah
IGD is leveraging our network of business leaders to facilitate the exchange of information between the private sector and the U.S. government on food security. On April 21, IGD, the Hewlett Foundation, TransFarm Africa and The German Marshall Fund convened representatives from agribusiness companies and agricultural development experts to discuss opportunities to improve the investment climate for food insecure regions with a particular focus on Africa. We will continue to work with business leaders, especially African leaders from our Frontier 100 program, to identify ways to encourage effective and impactful investment.
