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UN calls for support for Africa's smallholder farmers

The United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has called for more support for smallholder farmers in Africa as only eight countries in the continent have fulfilled a target for agricultural investment. IFAD president Kanayo Nwanze spoke at the World Economic Forum on Africa being held in Tanzania in May.

10 May 2010

He argued that creating infrastructure to help smallholder farmers develop is critical if African governments are to stop people migrating to urban areas in search of employment. African countries agreed to devote ten percent of their annual budgets to agriculture in 2003 but only eight have done so, Nwanze said.

He added that Africa will receive 45% of IFAD's three billion US dollar portfolio for 2010-2012.

Source: Panos London

Panos London promotes the participation of poor and marginalised people in national and international development debates through media and communication projects. It is part of the worldwide Panos Network of independent institutes working to ensure that information is used more effectively to foster debate, pluralism and democracy.

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