AFDB, US Forge Stronger Ties to Boost Food Production

Ugo Aliogo

The United States would work with the African Development Bank (AfDB) to identify opportunities to partner with the US State Department’s Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS) activities and develop an investment strategy

In a statement, the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken and Bank President, Akinwunmi Adesina, highlighted Africa’s efforts to feed itself and the world; while welcoming increased support and investments in African Initiatives.

The statement also noted that United States Secretary of State commended the AfDB Group over the exceptional efforts it was undertaking to help Africa feed itself and the world.
Blinken, who was speaking during a visit hosted by Adesina in Abidjan yesterday said: “Extraordinary work is being done to get to a place where Africa feeds itself and a place where Africa feeds the world. I’m convinced that can happen.”

The two met at the headquarters of AfricaRice—a pan-African centre of excellence for rice research, development, and capacity building that implements Bank agricultural programmes.
In his remarks, Adesina said: “This is the first time that a US Secretary of State would visit the African Development Bank and its work. Secretary Blinken’s visit is historic and provides great momentum for our work to feed Africa.

“I applaud Secretary Blinken’s strong leadership and commitment to food security and look forward to working closely with him and the US government to advance our joint efforts to support Africa to feed itself and help feed the world.
“I applaud the work President Biden is doing for global food security. I’m delighted with the partnership we have with the US Government to help us move forward on food security in Africa.”

The AfDB President also lauded Blinken for a new grant of $9.5 million to support the Bank’s Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation initiative (TAAT).

He averred that the grant, which was a part of the larger US Government “Feed the Future” global hunger initiative, would be used for the second phase of the Bank programme called TAAT II, to help African countries increase food production, introduce climate-smart technologies, and expand extension services.
The statement revealed that to date, TAAT has deployed climate-resilient agricultural technologies and fertilizers to 13 million African farmers in 40 African countries to help boost the continent’s food production and food security, noting that the USAID grant would help expand the reach of TAAT II further.

Continuing, Blinken said: “The African Development Bank is making the necessary investments in sustainable production in a smart effective way and along with its AfricaRice programme maximising crops and producing crops that can stand up to climate change.

“I applaud the Bank and your leadership for the powerful and inspiring impact of your initiatives. You are setting an example for others about how a bank is run.
“The Biden administration was convinced that there is tremendous potential in investing in the production of crops that are climate-resilient and are highly nutritious including some of Africa’s neglected traditional foods.”

The statement noted that the Bank launched the AfricaRice initiative in 2018 to boost rice production, adding that it now has 28 country members across Africa with some 15 of those expecting to shortly reach rice self-sufficiency.