Africa's Green Revolution: Expert to discuss initial results

OTTAWA, April 27 /CNW Telbec/ - Smallholder farmers produce most of Africa's food. But they often do so with minimal resources and little government support. Equiping these farmers - mostly women - with tools, information, and supportive government policies is a key to feeding the continent and building environmentally sustainable economies. In a public lecture, distinguished agronomist Namanga Ngongi will evaluate the promising initial results of Africa's "green revolution," including increased access to supplies, finance, and markets, as well as improved production.

    
    When:   Friday, April 30, 2010, 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
    Where:  IDRC, 150 Kent Street, 8th floor, Ottawa, ON
    

Namanga Ngongi has been President of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa since 2007. His diverse professional experience includes involvement with national and international organizations in the areas of agriculture, food security, and management. Ngongi began his career with Cameroon's Ministry of Agriculture after receiving a PhD in Agronomy and Crop Science from Cornell University. He then served as representative to the United Nations' food agencies in Rome before beginning a lengthy tenure at the World Food Programme. He was appointed the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General to the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2001, and led that country's UN peacekeeping mission for two years. His recent work includes a study on food reserve systems in Africa and the coordination of an international conference on disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration in Sierra Leone.

The event is open to the media. French and English simultaneous interpretation is available. Spaces are limited and journalists are encouraged to register by calling Isabelle Bourgeault-Tassé at 613-696-2343 or e-mailing at [email protected].

For more information visit www.idrc.ca/events.

About IDRC

For 40 years, Canada's International Development Research Centre has been supporting research in developing countries to promote growth and development. The result is innovative, lasting local solutions that aim to bring choice and change to those who need it most. www.idrc.ca

For further information: Isabelle Bourgeault-Tassé, [phone], [email protected]