Joe DeVries is a breeder – and Vice President of AGRA. What are the chances and risks of a ’green revolution‘ in Africa? A discourse between Jan Rübel and him about productivity, needs, and paternalism.
Dr. Joe DeVries is Vice President of AGRA, where he is responsible for the program development and Innovation. He is an expert in crop improvement and genetics.
What have you accomplished in Africa up until now?
We discovered that the farmers were not failing to incorporate new technologies because of a decision they had made. They were simply not getting the chance to improve their productivity by using enhanced seeds or better crop production. The key to our strategy is to take advantage of science and better technology, but that is only available to a few researchers. The farmers are far away and the African landscape is broad, so the initial plan was to bring the seeds directly to them. We originally started talking to some of the world’s largest seed companies in 2003/2004 to see if they were interested but their response was, ‘Africa is not our thing - not right now.’
So, the Multinationals were not getting involved; what happened next?
We asked ourselves: Is it so complicated that African companies cannot do it themselves? And we found out that there are a lot of African agribusiness entrepreneurs who wanted to do this – but they weren’t given the chance. Bank interests are too high and they refuse to meet people who develop new things. There is this historical divide in Africa between the public sector and private sector and AGRA served as a kind of link between the two. We ended up spending a lot of time introducing seed entrepreneurs to public crop breeders.
'In some countries 30 percent of children suffer from malnutrition'
Since the beginning of AGRA in 2006, can you estimate in figures what has been achieved?
We track these numbers with our own data analysis team. So far, we have invested in the development of more than new crop varieties and 114 private African seed companies. In 2017, these companies were able to supply 141,000 metric tons of seeds. That is a huge difference compared to what it was before - night and day. At the village level we also created about 20,000 agricultural trade shops where they stock the seeds, tools and fertilizers. Thus, we provided physical access.
Okay, there was a lack of choices. But why are we talking about starting a revolution?
Well, we know from statistics that things are not good. We have huge population growth. In fact, populations of most African countries after 50 years of independence are four times what they were at that time. Pretending that this continent will be able to feed itself sufficiently in the future without something changing in the way it goes about its agriculture is a non-starter. There needs to be an improvement of productivity on the farming level. Otherwise, Africa will become more and more dependent on imported food, which will remain unavailable to the poorest population, but it also denies them the opportunity of being able to feed their own country …
… to create jobs …
… exactly. In some countries where we work, 30% of children suffer from malnutrition. It is a dire situation. This is not something we can take lightly.
AGRA focuses on supporting small farmers. Critics say that they are facing risks in the middle of this green revolution.
The term ’green revolution‘ is in need of upgrading or updating. The criticisms of the original green revolutions in the sixties were valid because the crop seeds that were developed in many cases lacked good local adaptation, which meant that farmers were obligated to use more agrochemicals to protect their crop against diseases. We have learnt from this experience. You know, I am a crop breeder. When people come and say that biotechnology is the new way to feed the world, my response is that, to date, the biggest change has been involving farmers. We call it farmer participatory plant breeding in order to get that adaptation combined with higher yield potential. Thus, we take an agroecology-based approach; we go to the fields and look for insects. Finding insects in a healthy crop is an indication that these are the best genes in that crop for resisting the insect. These are all conventionally bred crop varieties - there is no GMO. But there is a level of genius about African crop breeders that I love to see being tapped into now. Because they are people from the villages, they do not come from the outside. They grew up on farms where they have seen their parents suffer from low crop yields and high losses due to insects, disease, drought or floods. Now, they see that there are actually viable solutions. This is once again based on using science in a way that is derived from information from local communities about what they need.
'This is how the world is feeding itself'
Maybe people are scared because they hear you say that agriculture must be business-led, and it makes them think that big companies will come and push smallholder farmers away.
When you start by creating a group of customers based on their genuine needs, you give at least the system the best chance of matching the right demand with the right supply. Working with local entrepreneurs, we probably gave up to the opportunity to go bigger in the early stages. But this is the right way. The big companies are looking, obviously, and in many cases, they start to invest. But in the meantime, the governments have begun to show interest in what is happening to their agricultures. Some of the most liable conversations we have with governments at this stage are around the regulatory environment: what quality of seed do we want to reach the farmers? At this stage, farmers are being well considered and taken care of by the system.
Farmers would have to buy hybrid seeds instead of using their own traditional ones. Does that not create a new financial dependence?
Unfortunately, I would say that this technology needs to be renewed every year. The question is whether you really ever want to deny farmers the option to buy that product. It is offered as an opportunity. Look at the world – this is how the world is feeding itself. When it comes to maize, sorghum or millet, tomatoes and other vegetables, all of them are hybrids. The people who say, ‘Oh, not in Africa’ – what do they want? Are we going to make a museum out of African agriculture and say that this was for everybody else? That is not an option.
Is it paternalistic?
Yes, a bit. We have to face realities on the ground. If the farmers we work with told us, ’No, we don’t want this stuff around here‘, then we would have made this correction. We are here for farmers. I am an agriculturalist myself, and the last thing I want is to disappoint or offend a farmer. Instead, they absolutely want that.
There is a demand for hybrid seeds?
They need these seeds more than anyone else in the world does. These can add ten or twenty per cent to their yield – and they are eating most of the food they are harvesting. They do not even sell them at this stage. If they are ready to go and buy hybrid seeds that are very expensive for them, how am I to deny them of this? We did not simply go and put out any random hybrid seed. First, we talked to the farmers to see what they wanted. After we developed this, we saw a significant decrease in disease.
Is it necessary to regulate seeds via laws?
Yes. All of the breeding work that we have supported as AGRA is done with the involvement of the national governments, so it is a public breeding programme. Once they have a new product, we ask them to licence it, but they remain the owners. You do need legal protection to make sure that no one comes and steals it. It can be made available to other duly registered seed entrepreneurs who want to grow and sell it.
And what happens to the farmers who decide to continue with their local and traditional seeds?
They are perfectly free to do so, and many of them do.
'Food systems respond to demand, and this depends on purchasing power'
Are they not excluded from markets then?
There is not one market. There are African varieties of rice or sorghum that are so unique and flavourful that they never go out of demand. These are crops that have such a tremendous appeal for anybody who is eating the food. Actually, we see a market form around this. However, the downside is that they are low yielding. Hence, it is difficult to feed the whole country with it.
So, you do not see any negative side effects?
The danger would only arise if the traditional varieties were to be cast away and not preserved. But it is part of our key strategy to help the national crop breeding teams collect and preserve the local varieties.
How do you ensure that?
Part of the funding that we provide is used to collect, document and store the seeds at a national level. Additionally, several donors have wisely stepped in to support the gene bank in Norway.
What role do human rights play at AGRA?
The role of appropriate and more productive agricultural technologies in allowing a local society to feed itself is of such a great importance that I personally view it as a human right.
Some say that there is already enough food and that it is only a question of access. Are they correct?
This is such a simplistic description of the situation. What if the people locally don’t have the money to buy the food that could otherwise be transported to them? Food systems respond to demand, and demand depends on your purchasing power. If you are a poor farmer who generates no cash and still has need for additional food, how are you signalling to the market that the food is needed there? There is still a chronic undersupply of food and if we don’t solve this issue, it is simply going to get worse.
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A contribution by Kerstin Weber and Brit Reichelt-Zolho (WWF)
Biodiversity and sustainable agriculture ensure the nutrition of whole societies. But there is more: These two factors also provide better protection against the outbreak of dangerous pandemics. Hence, the question of preserving ecosystems is becoming a global survival issue.
Double interview with Tony Rinaudo and Volker Schlöndorff
Tony Rinaudo uses conventional reforestation methods to plant millions and millions of trees – and Volker Schlöndorff is filming a cinema documentary about the Australian. The outcome so far: An educational film on behalf of the BMZ (Federal Ministry for Economic Co-operation and Development).
A study by Markus Hanisch, Agustina Malvido, Johanna Hansmann, Alexander Mewes, Moritz Reigl, Nicole Paganini (SLE)
Post-Covid-19 lockdown: How food governance processes could include marginalised communities - an extract of the results of an SLE study applying digital and participatory methods.
If there is a lack of fertile soil and rain, hunger breaks out quickly. Maria Smentek from the World Food Programme (WFP) explains how farmers and pastoralists can counter climate change with hydroponic-systems.
Urban gardening is becoming increasingly popular in northern metropoles. People who consider themselves part of a green movement are establishing productive gardens in the city, for example on rooftops or in vacant lots. In severely impoverished regions of the global South, urban agriculture is a component of the food strategy.
Supporting groups of smallholding women substantially contributes to strengthen rural operations economically. The organisation and associated group activities can help to reduce extreme poverty and improve the food situation.
The majority of producers in developing countries are women. Although they contribute significantly to the food security of their families, they remain chronically disadvantaged in male-dominated agriculture in terms of access to land, credit, technology and education.
A contribution by Nadine Babatounde and Anne Floquet (MISEREOR)
To prevent malnutrition among young children and strengthen the role of women in their communities, Misereor, together with the local non-governmental organisation CEBEDES, is implementing a programme on integrated home gardens in Benin - a series of pictures.
Even though COVID-19 poses a threat to the health of humanity, the reaction to the pandemic must not cause more suffering than the disease itself. This is particularly relevant for poor developing countries, where the impact of the corona crisis on food security is even more severe!
In most African countries, the infection COVID-19 is likely to trigger a combined health and food crisis. This means: In order to cope with this unprecedented crisis, consistently aligning our policies to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is more important than ever, our author maintains.
COVID-19 has unprecedented effects on the world. As always, the most vulnerable are the hardest hit, both at home and - especially - abroad. A joint appeal by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Development and Cooperation (BMZ) and the Department for International Development (DFID).
A contritbution by Essa Chanie Mussa (University of Gondar)
Rural youth need viable livelihood opportunities to escape out of poverty and realize their aspirations. How could they be helped to fully unleash their potential? This is an aloud call that needs novel strategies among governments, policy makers, and international development partners and donors.
Enabling smallholders to trade across regions and borders promotes food security and economic growth. Although everyone is calling for exactly that, implementation is still difficult
A report by Bettina Rudloff and Annette Weber (SWP)
The Corona-Virus exacerbates existing crises through conflict, climate, hunger and locusts in East Africa and the Horn of Africa. What needs to be done in these regions? To face these challenges for many countries, all of these crises need to be captured in their regional context.
A report by Alexander Müller and Jes Weigelt (TMG)
As the climate changes, the population of Africa is growing and fertile land and jobs are becoming scarcer. New ways are currently leading to urbanisation of agriculture and a new mid-sized sector in the countryside
A contribution by Michael Brüntrup (DIE) und Daniel Tsegai (UNCCD)
Droughts are the natural disasters with far-reaching negative consequences. While rich countries are still vulnerable to drought, famines are no longer found.
A study by the World Bank predicts that millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa will have to leave their homelands because of climate change. We have spoken with one of the authors
Nutrition experts from all over the world are coming together in Rome. They are not only distilling 2000 ideas to improve food systems - they are also preparing for the big UN summit in New York in September. An interview.
Journalist Jan Rübel spoke with Joao Campari ahead of the UNFSS Pre-Summit. The Chair of Action Track 3 highlights key challenges in transforming existing food systems towards sustainable production and shares his expectations for the Summit.
Interview with Paul Newnham, Director of the SDG 2 Advocacy Hub.
The UN Food Systems pre-Summit in Rome dealt with transforming the ways of our nutrition. How do you bring that to a broad public? Questions to Paul Newnham, the Director of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 Advocacy Hub.
Interview with Martina Fleckenstein (WWF), Michael Kühn (WHH) and Christel Weller-Molongua (GIZ)
After the summit means pre-summit: It was the first time that the United Nations held a summit on food systems. Martina Fleckenstein, Michael Kühn and Christel Weller-Molongua reviewed the situation in this joint interview.
A Contribution by Emile Frison and Nick Jacobs (IPES-Food)
While having failed to solve the hunger problem, industrial agriculture appears to be causing additional ones both in environmental and health terms. Emile Frison and Nick Jacobs call for a transformation.
Fish is important for combating malnutrition and undernourishment. But it is not only notable for its nutritional value, but also secures the livelihoods and employment for 600 million people worldwide.
Three quarters of the world's population do not have secure land rights, which hinders investment and innovation. The project "Improvement of Livelihood and Food Security" supports smallholder farmers in acquiring land.
Climate change already affects the daily lives of people in the Global South. What are the challenges they face and what do these imply for negotiations at the climate conference in Glasgow?
A Contribution by the Forestry Research Institute Nigeria
The 'Domestication of Small Monogastric and Ruminant Animals' (DSMR) project led by a Nigerian research institute works with local communities to solve the bushmeat crisis.
In the run-up to the G7 summit, experts from politics and civil society discussed sustainable and more effective options for action by the G7 states to combat hunger.
The G7 is responding to the worsening global hunger crisis by mobilizing an additional $4.5 billion for this year alone. A key milestone for this in the run-up was the international conference on global food security "Uniting for Global Food Security".
Healthy, productive soils are a prerequisite for global food security – one of the priorities of German development cooperation. State Secretary Jochen Flasbarth on Germany’s efforts to support sustainable land management and why the VGGT are more important than ever today.
How can we reach more people with successful approaches to food security? In Berlin, an international conference organized by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationaler Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) addressed this issue.
Whether it's banana bread made from brown bananas, conscious shopping plans or foodsharing, we give you five tips on how to reduce your everyday food waste.
Why are short- and long-term responses important to address current and future global crises? Sebastian Lesch, Head of the Agriculture Division at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), provides answers to these and other questions in an interview with the Global Donor Platform for Rural Development (GDPRD) and explains how much Germany welcomes all donors pulling together and acting in concert.
How to maintain functioning food markets in global food supply chains in the face of vulnerability and disruption? Markets that support local and territorial food systems are part of the solution. Thomas Forster presents proposals for these markets to cope with future shocks.
The Global Alliance for Food Security (GAFS), jointly launched by the German G7 Presidency and the World Bank, released the Global Food and Nutrition Security Dashboard during COP27: A Rapid Response Tool for Coordinating Global Action for Food Security.
Development cooperation needs to place good governance and a sustainable agri-food systems transformation at its center: After the first 100 days in office have passed, Dirk Meyer from the German Development Ministry (BMZ) spells out the goals, guidelines and priorities of the Ministry’s new lead.
Rising food and gas prices, physical destruction and supply chain disruptions: Why the Black Sea region matters and how the war in Ukraine affects global food security.
A Contribution of the 'Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains' (INA)
Fair Trade organisations and the Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains (INA) have launched the #ichwillfair campaign during COP26 to highlight the link between global supply chains and climate change.
Four interviews kick off the relaunch under the new name „Food4Transformation“, asking the same questions from different perspectives. Mareike Haase and Stig Tanzmann from Brot für die Welt explain why the right to food, inclusivity, agroecology and food sovereignty are the central levers for a successful transformation.
A Contribution by Dr. Fatima Olanike Kareem and Dr. Olayinka Idowu Kareem
High agricultural prices affect developed and developing countries alike, but the problem is aggravated for the latter through the lack of or inadequate resilience measures. Dr. Fatima Olanike Kareem, AKADEMIYA2063, and Dr. Olayinka Idowu Kareem, University of Hohenheim, explain what can be done to mitigate the negative effects on food security.
The consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine have enabled many countries to open up new export markets for their agricultural goods. However, smallholder farms have been largely left out. Drawing on his experience in India, our author gives a brief overview of how this can be changed.
A contribution by the Global Donor Platform for Rural Development
Two years following the UN Food Systems Summit, the Global Donor Platform for Rural Development and the Shamba Centre for Food & Climate hosted an official side event at the UNFSS+2. The event explored how public donors can increase the impact of their investments.
Iraq suffered many years of war, sanctions and economic crises. However, Ally-Raza Qureshi from the World Food Programme in Iraq sees progress. But now the effects of climate change are becoming apparent in the country. What is to be done?
In a world facing crises – from pandemics, armed conflicts, and climate change – how do we ensure everyone has enough food within planetary boundaries? A new podcast by Food4Transformation discover solutions talking to government officials, scientists, NGOs and farmers around the world.
The Gaza Strip depends heavily on humanitarian aid, more than ever with the current war. Gaza population is very young: Half of them are children. What is their situation on the ground? Questions for Lucia Elmi, Unicef Special Representative to the State of Palestine.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, not all financial institutions (FIs) have access to knowledge about how to implement processes to enhance rural financial inclusion. The pan-African Community of Practice (CoP) plays a pivotal role in supporting these institutions along this transformative journey.
How can agriculture engage more young people in rural areas? Advocacy and education campaigns can play an important role here. Simeon Kambalame, Timveni Child and Youth Media Organisation, has launched such a campaign in Malawi.
Women and girls in poorer countries are affected in particular ways by the multiple crises the world is currently facing. Uncovering the linkages between gender, resilience and food security, experts from International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) look at ways to support women and girls’ capacity to respond to crises.
The armed conflict between Israeli forces and the Hamas is escalating. What does this mean for a Gaza, region that was already heavily dependent on external aid? Questions for Dr. Muriel Asseburg, Senior Fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) in Berlin.
Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Podcast of the Federal Government
At the start of World Food Week around World Food Day on 16 October, Chancellor Angela Merkel stressed that the fight against global hunger will only be successful with international responsibility and solidarity (german only).
From measures to promote biodiversity in Germany to more sustainable cocoa cultivation methods in Ecuador: WWF works at many different levels. At the Green Week, it will be demonstrated just how multifaceted nature conservation work is and what role each individual's decision plays.
The Agriculture and Food Security Cluster of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in Zambia shows how synergies among different projects and partner organisations can help people to eat healthier, diversified food. A delegation of the Bonn based Division of Agriculture and Rural Development learned this in a field visit in the Eastern Province of the Southern African country.
Felix Phiri has been Head of the Department of Nutrition, HIV and AIDS at the Ministry of Health in Malawi for almost 20 years. A conversation about constants and change.
Diversifying our protein supply to include plant-based foods and cultivated meat can be a game-changer for climate mitigation and climate adaptation, especially in the countries of the Global South. However, a great deal of research is still required to capitalise on this potential. And political support, as Ivo Rzegotta, Good Food Institute, demonstrates.
In Himachal Pradesh, India, natural disasters are becoming more frequent and climatic conditions are changing – with negative consequences for apple production and farmers' livelihoods. Holistic and multidimensional innovation bundles are required for the entire value chain in order to make the food system more resilient in the future.
A Contribution by Emmanuel Atamba & Larissa Stiem-Bhatia
Drawing on dialogues with experts in Kenya, TMG Research releases its latest policy brief highlighting the critical need to strengthen coordination mechanisms in food systems governance. Emmanuel Atamba and Larissa Stiem-Bhatia from TMG Research summarize the results.
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