AGRA boss pushes systems approach to transform Africa’s agriculture

Hailemariam Desalegn, the former Prime Minister of Ethiopia (2012–2018) and current Board Chair of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, has called for a fundamental shift in how Africa approaches agricultural transformation.

Desalegn is urging governments to adopt a systems-driven model that integrates production, processing, trade, and innovation.

In an exclusive interview at Serena Hotel on Friday following his meeting with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Wednesday, Desalegn said Africa must move beyond fragmented interventions and address agriculture as a complete value chain.

Desalegn described AGRA as a pan-African institution established nearly two decades ago to catalyse agricultural transformation.

“We are preparing to celebrate 20 years as an institution. The idea was to bring all stakeholders together to drive transformation in agriculture and food systems,” he said, noting that its founding was driven by the realization that Africa lagged behind other regions in agricultural productivity.

Desalegn highlighted a stark contradiction that despite vast agricultural potential, Africa remains home to nearly 600 million food-insecure people.

“We eat what we do not produce and produce what we do not consume,” he said, pointing to inefficiencies in production, processing, and trade.

To address this, he called for stronger input systems, including reliable seed distribution, quality fertilizer supply, and improved soil health management.

He pointed to ongoing collaboration between AGRA and the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat to support implementation of the continental trade pact. While describing AfCFTA as a landmark initiative, he cautioned that progress has been slow.

“The agreement exists at policy level, but we must translate it into operational reality,” he said.

Desalegn highlighted a stark contradiction that despite vast agricultural potential, Africa remains home to nearly 600 million food-insecure people.

Desalegn identified key bottlenecks, including poor logistics, weak infrastructure, lack of harmonized standards, and non-tariff barriers at borders.

“Borders should not be barriers; they should be gateways,” he said, calling for seamless trade systems supported by digital and physical infrastructure.

He further urged African countries to leverage their comparative advantages in producing inputs such as fertilizers, noting that inefficiencies in trade systems make imports from outside Africa more competitive than locally produced alternatives.

When asked to identify a priority reform, Desalegn pointed to integrated agro-industrialization as the “master key” to unlocking transformation. “This is the missing link. It creates both backward linkages to production and forward linkages to markets,” he said.

Museveni commends AGRA

Meanwhile, President Museveni commended AGRA’s role in strengthening food systems and promoting innovation.

During a meeting at State Lodge Nakasero with former Prime Minister Desalegn, the President highlighted the organization’s role in advancing science, innovation, and policy support in agriculture.

The President emphasized the need for practical, locally adapted solutions to drive agricultural transformation. He noted that traditional farming approaches are becoming less effective, particularly with changing livestock practices such as zero grazing.

The President also revealed that government is prioritizing modern water harvesting systems for irrigation and industrial use, alongside expanding borehole access to reduce reliance on communal water sources.