At the recent African Green Revolution Forum in Nairobi, one of the outstanding take-outs was that Africa may need $400 billion (Sh40 trillion) in investment in food production over the next decade to meet its needs.

 

But while finance is the problem, it is not the solution if we do not reorient its deployment. Many African countries and donor programmes have invested billions of dollars in the development of agriculture, focusing on increasing production and improving farmer yields, but there has been a less than comparative investment in broader market reforms. Upping production without a corresponding effort to structure the market, and increase its size by creating platforms for farmers to link directly with domestic, regional and international markets, leads to plummeting prices. This truth is known and many models are being financed to address the market failures, from the new fad of outgrower schemes to the fading-in-popularity microfinance projects. The conversation on Africa’s agricultural potential as a key driver of economic growth has been echoed at every forum and avenue. Yet, how is it that the transformation is yet to be realised, and a continent with such abundance is still not food secure? Why are farmers still victims in an industry that they anchor?

 

The resilience of small-scale farmers in Africa in the face of challenging conditions, vested interests and an un-level playing field proves that the odds are in favour of investments that take a long view.

 

 

Disruptive innovations have heralded a renaissance in agribusiness. It is prudent that this renaissance is not stifled by ideologies that farming is largely a venture for the poor, uneducated populace.