NAIROBI, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- Transformation of agriculture sector in Africa is dependent on a robust vision from the continent's political leaders and not just availability of improved seeds, technologies and healthy soils, says the 2018 African Agriculture Status Report (AASR) launched in Nairobi on Wednesday.
The report titled "Catalyzing State Capacity to Drive Agricultural Transformation", said political good will is required to revolutionize food production systems in the world's second largest continent.
"Existing data suggest that the political will to support agriculture transformation is likely lower in Africa than in other regions of the developing world," says the report compiled by Nairobi-based Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).
Agnes Kalibata, president of AGRA, said African countries can realize agricultural transformation subject to visionary leadership coupled with state led policy and institutional reforms.
"Governments are definitely central to driving an inclusive agriculture transformation agenda," Kalibata remarked adding that better planning and a conducive regulatory environment is key to attract private sector investments in African agriculture.
The 2018 African agriculture status report noted that China and some other countries present successful models of transformation of this critical sector that African countries should emulate.
The report cites Rwanda and Ethiopia as two African countries where visionary political leadership has catalyzed agriculture transformation to address rural poverty and achieve food security.
Experts stressed that Africa must harness political energy, robust policies and targeted investments to ensure that small-holders reap from benefits of agricultural modernization.
