Driving inclusive agricultural policies for Africa’s smallholder farmers

Smallholder farmers are the backbone of African agriculture, yet they face numerous challenges, including limited access to resources and markets. CNBC AFRICA spoke to Boaz Keizire, Head of Policy and Advocacy at Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, AGRA, about the inclusive agricultural policies essential to empower smallholders. Keizire emphasized the importance of access to agricultural markets, quality seeds, and strong extension services for smallholder farmers to thrive. In Africa, over 70% of the food consumed is produced by smallholder farmers, highlighting the significance of this group. To enhance access to credit financing, there is a need to tailor financial products to the challenges faced by farmers, who often lack the necessary security for traditional banking. Collaborative efforts with central and commercial banks are essential to develop tailored financial solutions and build farmers' capacity to engage with financial institutions effectively. The gap between funding and policy poses a challenge for smallholder farmers. Keizire underscored the importance of policy frameworks that support agricultural business and farming activities. He noted the necessity of addressing policy pain points and bottlenecks, such as liberalizing seed production to involve the private sector and improving the quality of seeds and fertilizers in the market. By allowing the private sector to participate in extension services and enforcement, farmers can access better services and technologies, leading to increased productivity and market access. African governments play a crucial role in fostering inclusive policies for smallholder farmers. Keizire highlighted the significance of collaboration among African countries to align policies and strategies. The African Union's continental framework aims to unite governments and stakeholders towards common agricultural goals. Efforts like the cut-up bi-annual review report assess the continent's progress towards achieving commitments made by leaders. Additionally, emerging policy frameworks focus on inclusivity, ensuring that marginalized groups like women, youth, and disabled individuals have access to services, land, finance, and participation across the agricultural value chain. By intentionally incorporating these actors, governments can promote sustainable and inclusive agricultural growth across Africa.