We are approaching the close of a year marked by change. In FY 2009 we witnessed a dramatic increase in U.S. funding for African food security, but the global recession has fueled a shift in political climate—both in Washington and around the world—that has slowed this momentum. Our community recognizes the tremendous challenges ahead as we encourage sustained public and private sector efforts to reduce hunger and poverty in Africa. 

 
Over the past two years, the U.S. has shown strong global leadership on food security and nutrition and has urged the donor community, private sector, and African institutions to support accountable, sustainable investments in African agriculture. Feed the Future, the innovative U.S. initiative to improve food security through agricultural productivity growth and enhanced nutrition, has established a strong basis for progress but remains in its infancy.  Meanwhile, many African countries have moved to invest greater shares of their own budgets in agriculture and have achieved increased levels of economic and agricultural growth. To date, twenty-five African nations and one regional bloc have signed CAADP compacts.

 
However, as you well know, the mood in Washington and other donor capitals is less than encouraging. At a time of increasing fiscal austerity in the U.S., it is clear that no programs are safe from significant budget reductions. We have no doubt that the battle for global food security program funding will persist in 2012 and beyond.

 
In 2012, the Partnership will continue to advocate for more and better assistance to African agriculture and will monitor progress on CAADP and Feed the Future. The Partnership will host regular educational outreach events on the Hill highlighting the impacts of these programs, engage the private sector in dialogue on agricultural investments, showcase African success stories, convene candid discussions among experts on challenges and opportunities in African agriculture, and ensure that African partners have "a seat at the table" in U.S. policy discussions. Through these efforts as well as commissioned research and long-standing links with the African diplomatic corps, the Partnership will continue to support assistance that is responsive to African needs.

 
We ask you to join the Partnership today as a supporting member so we can continue these crucial research and advocacy efforts in 2012. Explore our website to see some of the unique resources the Partnership offers.

 
Thank you for joining or renewing your membership in the Partnership today so that we may continue to build the U.S. and African constituency for "more and better" investment in African agriculture and food security in 2012.
 

 

 

 

Thank you for your interest in becoming a member of the Partnership!