IFDC Media Statement
For Immediate Release
Monday, August 4, 2014
Contact: Courtney Greene (256-381-6600, cgreene@ifdc.org, @IFDCNews)
Africa Needs a Resilient and Climate-Smart Food System, Says IFDC
Today’s Announcement of the Global Resilience
Partnership Helps Pave the Way
Aug. 4, 2014 – Muscle Shoals, Ala., United States – Dr. Amit Roy, president and CEO of the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), today issued the following statement as the 2014 U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit begins in Washington, D.C., and in light of this afternoon’s announcement of the joint USAID-Rockefeller Foundation Global Resilience Partnership.
“Collaborative action, such as the Global Resilience Partnership announced today, is critical to achieving food security while reducing the impact of climate change in Africa.
“IFDC has been active in the continent for more than 35 years, collaborating with Heads of State and other leaders to strengthen farmers’ access to fertilizer. The 2006 Africa Fertilizer Summit focused the world’s attention on the need for fertilizers to increase crop yields. The resulting Abuja Declaration for an African Green Revolution paved the way for increased food production in Africa. In addition, effective agricultural policies, public-private partnerships and new fertilizer technologies have reversed decades of declining per capita food production in Africa.
“Now, the development community must focus its efforts on building a resilient and climate-smart food system. Our projects are training farmers throughout Africa and in Southeast Asia to mitigate the impact of climate change through sustainable fertilization practices. These efforts are helping increase yields, improve soil fertility and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“With Africa’s population expected to double by 2050, the challenge is great. But with governments, donors, businesses and development organizations working together, we can make a difference.”
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IFDC is a public international organization addressing critical issues such as international food security, the alleviation of global hunger and poverty, environmental protection and the promotion of economic development and self-sufficiency through the use of agricultural technologies including fertilizers and other inputs.
