Cooperation in Agriculture: Innovations and Agro-processing

Abstract

Agriculture, the backbone of many African economies, provides livelihood to the teeming millions and absorbs a significant fraction of local workforce. Africa remains a net food importer and its agricultural sector is underdeveloped. The level of investment in agriculture and agro-processing sectors is quite low compared to other sectors of the economy. Besides agriculture infrastructure, innovations in food processing, seeds, farm machinery and implements, rural value chain infrastructure, ICT applications, inter alia are crucial to enhance productivity and competitiveness of the agriculture sector in Africa. Investment in agriculture has increased considerably in Africa as per the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) targets. Moreover, Africa’s policies on agriculture are inspired by the goals envisaged in the Agenda 2063. On the other hand, India, Japan, and other countries in Asia do recognize the need for promoting innovations as well as a joint collaboration with other countries in Africa. Asia–Africa collaboration for innovations in agriculture in the spirit of development partnership may create a virtuous cycle of growth, innovation, and job creation in the two continents. This chapter explores the priority areas for cooperation among the Asian and African countries to move forward in the agriculture sector.