Kofi Annan, former secretary-general of the United Nations, will head the African agricultural alliance established last year by the Bill & Melinda Gates and Rockefeller foundations.
The African-led Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) is a dynamic partnership working across the continent to help millions of small-scale farmers and their families lift themselves out of poverty and hunger. Alliance programs develop practical solutions to dramatically boost farm productivity and incomes while safeguarding the environment and biodiversity.
Annan, who served two terms as the United Nations' leader, will spend a third of his time as executive director of the Alliance for a Green Revolution, which will be based in Kenya and hopes to reduce poverty in Africa by helping millions of small farmers.
In the past 15 years the number of Africans living below the poverty line ($1/day) has increased by 50 percent and per capita food production has declined. In the past five years alone, the number of underweight children in Africa has risen by about 12 percent.
As a prominent voice in Africa and around the globe, Annan no doubt will raise the Alliance's profile and influence. "The vision and experience and leadership that he brings is just unparalleled," said Rajiv Shah, Gates Foundation director of agricultural development. "Hopefully, it helps the world see how important serving these households is going to be."
[Excerpt of an article by Linda Shaw, The Seattle Times]
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