Agriculture is one of the most crucial sectors for developing economies, as it could be a key driver of economic growth and poverty reduction. Yet, Africa has the lowest agricultural productivity per capita across the world. The continent accounts for 60 percent of the worldʼs uncultivated arable land, but has among the lowest crop yields of any region globally. Further, less than 6 percent of farmland in sub-Saharan Africa is under irrigation, compared to 20 percent of the rest of the world. Africaʼs 500 million smallholder farmers, who rely largely on the sector for livelihoods, produce a staggering 85 percent of sub-Saharan Africaʼs agricultural output – offering significant productive potential and individual opportunity.
To meet the agriculture challenge, we must devise solutions that sustainably fuel people, the planet, and prosperity, and account for the well-being and livelihoods of the world’s 500 million smallholder households, which are among the most vulnerable to climate change. This fireside chat invite guests to consider the implications of climate change on food systems, including its agricultural production, food security, livelihoods and job creation, as well as economic development. It will also explore game-changing solutions, such as decentralized renewable energy (i.e. mini-grids, solar irrigation, solar chilling) to both fight the harmful impacts of fossil fuels in agriculture, and help improve agro-based economies.
