‘Africa farmers can triple output’

Picture: Reuters

Picture: Reuters

Published Mar 5, 2013

Share

Johannesburg - Africa’s farmers, who have access to half the world’s uncultivated land, could boost production three-fold to $1 trillion by 2030 if the governments provide better access to power, water and capital, the World Bank said.

Agricultural output could increase from $313 billion, the Washington-based institution said in an e-mailed statement today. Farmers are responsible for half of the continent’s economic activity, it said.

“We cannot overstate the importance of agriculture to Africa’s determination to maintain and boost its high growth rates, create more jobs, significantly reduce poverty, and grow enough cheap, nutritious food to feed its families,” Makhtar Diop, the World Bank’s vice president for Africa, said.

Growth in sub-Saharan Africa, excluding South Africa, is estimated at 6.1 percent this year and 6 percent in 2014, according to World Bank data. High commodity prices and exports have supported expansion in the region, it said. - Bloomberg News

Related Topics: