Press Release 6 November 2012 (pdf) - Making The Connection - CTA

CTA has identified value chains as a key priority area with a focus onfacilitating multi-stakeholder engagement and knowledge exchange amongfarmers groups, policy makers, researchers, agribusiness, universities andothers. Michael Hailu notes, “More than at any other time in the past,agriculture has been getting considerable global and national attention,particularly after the 2007-2008 food price crises. As a result, the sector isattracting the policy and investment support it needs to fulfil the goals of foodsecurity and economic growth.”Over the past few years, agriculture and food security have also featuredregularly in the agendas of both the G-8 and G-20 Heads of State meetings.National and regional policies are also being developed by governmentsacross the developing world to advance agricultural growth and ensure foodsecurity for their populations. Notable examples of such policies include theComprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) –which calls for an investment of at least 10 percent of the national budgets inagriculture and an annual growth of 6 percent – as well as the Food &Nutrition Security Policy of the Caribbean states and that of the Pacific Islandstates.Dioné continued:“This conference should foster greater understanding of the importance of anenabling environment, public-private partnerships and multi-stakeholderapproaches for successful value chain development that effectively integratessmallholder farmers.”Participants at the conference will share ideas, knowledge, new approachesand best practices that can strengthen the efficiency and profitability ofexisting commercial value chains and assist those working to promote valuechain development to strengthen economic growth in smallholdercommunities.-ENDS-ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONAbout the Conference:The “Making the Connection: Value Chains for Transforming SmallholderAgriculture” conference joins the private sector, farmers, governments, civilsociety, the donor community and others discuss issues related to value chaindevelopment and how best to help foster entrepreneurship amongstsmallholder farmers and share best practices and lessons learned fromleading organisations around the world.http://makingtheconnection.cta.int/About CTA:The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) is a jointACP-EU institution active in agricultural and rural development in African,Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries. Its mission is to advance food and

nutritional security, increase prosperity and encourage sound natural resourcemanagement.http://www.cta.int/About UNECA:The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) was established by the Economicand Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations (UN) in 1958 as one ofthe UN's five regional commissions. ECA's mandate is to promote theeconomic and social development of its member States, foster intra-regionalintegration, and promote international cooperation for Africa's development.http://new.uneca.org/Broadcast-quality video footage:Broadcast-quality video interviews with selected conference speakers can bedownloaded here:https://console.aws.amazon.com/s3/home?region=us-east-1Username: lewyllie@cta.intPassword: valuechain@addisLive webcasting:Live webcasting from the conference can be viewed here:http://results.antfarm.co.za/cta/November_2012_01Conference blog:Blog posts from the conference can be viewed here:http://makingtheconnection.cta.int/blogTwitter:Follow live Tweets from the conference using the hashtag:#ValueChainsMEDIA CONTACTSTo arrange interviews or for more information, please contact:Jen KatanGlasshouse Partnershipjenk@glasshousepartnership.comTel: +44 (0)207 908 6545Mob: +44 (0)759 415 9452Michael HoevelGlasshouse Partnershipmichaelh@glasshousepartnership.comTel: +44 (0)207 908 6508Mob: +44 (0)79 6265 7322