International Experts in Agriculture and Food Security Join Forces to Tackle Chronic Food Shortages and Hunger in Africa

September 1 to 4, 2014

High-Level Dialogue Galvanizes Action to Improve Food Security through Research,  Innovation, and the Wisdom of Local Farmers

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, Aug. 29, 2014 /CNW/ - A broad cross-section of women's groups, youth, government officials, farming organizations, private sector representatives, and researchers have gathered at the Research to Feed Africa High-Level Policy Dialogue in Ethiopia to track progress and inspire action to address critical food shortages in Africa.  The dialogue, co-sponsored by Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC), is a critical step in Canada's support for food security research and innovation. To date, Canada has dedicated $124 million to initiatives and projects through the five-year-old Canadian International Food Security Research Fund (CIFSRF). Administered by IDRC, the fund received financial support from the Government of Canada provided through Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada.

"We have seen dramatic progress in local farmers' livelihoods through CIFSRF projects that have improved the yield of vegetable crops, introduced secondary harvests, and developed
breakthrough vaccines for cattle that hold out the promise of improving the GDP in some African countries," says IDRC President Jean Lebel in the keynote address.  "These advances not only benefit farmers today but will improve African food security in the future."

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), 226 million Africans are
undernourished, including 38 million children who are underweight. Among the strategies for
addressing hunger are research and innovation, connecting farmers to markets, supporting
women farmers, increasing food production and crop sustainability. However, despite advances and increasing government support, more needs to be done to continue the momentum.

The Research to Feed Africa Dialogue is an opportunity to review the solutions that research brings to reducing hunger. The one-day CIFSRF dialogue sets the stage for the African Green
Revolution Forum which starts on September 2 in Addis Ababa, where 1,000 African delegates will help to forge a continental vision for agricultural development.

"In essence, we are seeking to foster public-private research partnerships that have the ability to transform promising proof-of-concept research into development outcomes at scale," says Lebel. "Only through partnerships can we fully leverage scarce funds to continue the progress we have already achieved to eliminate hunger."

The CIFSRF dialogue takes place on September 1.
For more information visit CIFSRF & FANRPAN

The AGRF forum runs for three days starting on September 2.  
For more information visit AGRF  

About IDRC
A key part of Canada's foreign policy efforts, IDRC supports research in developing countries to promote growth and development. The result is innovative, lasting solutions that aim to improve lives and livelihoods. 

About the African Green Revolution Forum
The African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) is an initiative that seeks to bring together African heads of state, ministers, farmers, private agribusiness firms, financial institutions, NGOs, civil society, scientists, and other stakeholders to discuss and develop concrete investment plans for achieving the green revolution in Africa. The Forum focuses on promoting investments and policy support for driving agricultural productivity and income growth for African farmers in an
environmentally sustainable way.

A key part of Canada's aid program, IDRC supports research in developing countries to promote growth and development.

International Development Research Centre
150 Kent . PO Box 8500 . Ottawa ON Canada  K1G 3H9 . Phone: [phone] .  idrc.ca

Image with caption: "International Development Research Centre (CNW Group/International Development Research Centre)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140829_C1286_PHOTO_EN_5256.jpg

SOURCE: International Development Research Centre

Media Contact in Addis Ababa: Gloria Lihemo, Communications and Public Affairs Officer, IDRC regional office for sub-Saharan Africa, Email: [email protected], Mobile: [phone], @idrc_rossa; Media Contact in Canada: Marianne Goodwin, Senior Media and Public Affairs Advisor, Email: [email protected], [phone], @IDRC_CRDI