There is a widespread perception of agricultural stagnation in Tanzania. Since the early 1970’s, export crop production has performed poorly.   The poor performance of “cash” crops has been one source of the pessimistic view of agricultural performance. The gap between rural and urban incomes has widened (a virtual universal characteristic of economic growth – …. Read More

Last month, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) called on the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition not to support genetically modified (GM) crops in Africa. This call is very unfortunate and would institutionalise poverty on a continent that is already facing dire challenges. The G7 group of nations’ joint initiative with the New Alliance …. Read More

An African born banker with extensive experience working for British banks across Africa tells Joris Luyendijk how banks have lost touch with simple financial transactions. This blog is one of a series of monologues in which people across the financial sector speak to Joris Luyendijk about their work experience and lives. It was first published in the Guardian. “I …. Read More

Africa can feed itself in a generation. It can do so by harnessing abundant technologies that are available worldwide, expanding internal regional markets and expanding rural infrastructure. But to achieve this, African leaders at the highest level possible will need to take charge of the agenda for agriculture. The continent cannot afford anymore to listen …. Read More