By Eddah Waithaka
The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) has reinforced its dedication to revolutionizing African agriculture, calling for increased investment in smallholder farmers as global instability reshapes development funding.
Recent changes in global development policy have disrupted long-standing financing frameworks, with the Institute for Security Studies warning that these shifts could push an additional 6 million Africans into extreme poverty by 2026.
AGRA warns that declining funding threatens progress in agriculture, climate resilience, health, and education.
AGRA’s new President, Alice Ruhweza, addressed these challenges at a reception for the organization’s partners, attended by government officials, diplomats, development leaders, and private sector representatives.
“The international development landscape is shifting rapidly, demanding greater efficiency, innovation, and collaboration from organizations like AGRA,” Ruhweza stated.
“These changes only strengthen our resolve to deliver transformative impact.”
Despite funding uncertainties, AGRA has already reached over 26 million smallholder farmers across 11 African countries, providing improved seeds, affordable fertilizers, and better market access.
Agriculture remains central to Africa’s economy, employing 65% of the workforce and contributing up to 35% of GDP in many nations.
“Growth in agriculture reduces poverty three times more effectively than growth in other sectors,” Ruhweza emphasized.
AGRA’s achievements include training 500+ African agricultural scientists, supporting 54 seed companies, and promoting sustainable soil practices that boosted cereal yields by 61% on 1.8 million hectares.
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The organization focuses on five key areas: policy and state capacity, seed systems, inclusive markets, women and youth empowerment, and private sector engagement.
In Tanzania, AGRA helped design an agro-industrialization program expected to create 1 million jobs. In Malawi and Uganda, initiatives targeting women farmers have increased productivity by up to 30%.
Ruhweza highlighted the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a game-changer, projecting a 50% rise in intra-African agricultural trade by 2025 and a potential 574% surge by 2030.
“In a world turning inward, Africa must turn outward with confidence,” she urged. “Hunger knows no borders and neither does opportunity.”
With 11 million young Africans entering the job market yearly, AGRA is pushing to rebrand agriculture as a viable career. Women, who make up 70% of Africa’s agricultural workforce, remain central to this vision.
As global aid dwindles, AGRA is rallying African governments, philanthropies, and private investors to step up.
“AGRA cannot do this alone,” Ruhweza said. “To all who believe in Africa’s potential invest in our farmers, back our innovations, and help turn agriculture into a beacon of prosperity.”
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