ERA 2009 calls for stronger emphasis on agriculture

Abstract

The Economic Report on Africa 2009 calls for African countries to pay special attention to the agriculture sector as a basis for long-term growth and development. Jointly published by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African Union Commission (AUC), the Report was launched Thursday 28 May 2009 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; by Mr. Abdoulahi Mahamat, acting Director of Trade, Finance and Economic Development Division of ECA; Mr. Adam Elhiraika, chief of the macroeconomic analysis section of ECA; Mr. Maurice Tankou, chief of agricultural marketing section of ECA; and Mr. Abdallah Msa, head of the division of economic policy and research at the African Union Commission. The report has two parts. Part one looks at recent developments in the global economy and its impacts on Africa. It says GDP growth in Africa is expected to decline from 5.1 percent in 2008 to 2% in 2009. Inflation in Africa, excluding Zimbabwe, was 10.7% in 2008, up from 6.4% in 2007, mainly due to high fuel and food prices. To develop agricultural product value chains, Africa must enhance research and development, improve input markets, farm level production, product processing, storage, handling and transport, marketing and trade, financing, soil and water conservation, etc. This is a tall order for any one country to undertake, so ERA 2009 argues for the creation of regional value chains.