Thursday, November 8, 2012

Conference aimed at linking farmers and producers underway in Ethiopia


A conference to link African smallholder farmers directly with producers and retailers on the continent and abroad is currently underway in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Experts say there are great opportunities with demand for agricultural produce expected to drastically increase. The conference has attracted more than 500 global experts, donors, government officials and farmer organizations.

"Small holder farmers have a challenge of production to improve productivity. Even if they produce surplus, there is no market for products, so lots of challenges. They don't have access to credit because they are small and fragmented," says the Director for Technical Centre for Rural Co-operation, Michael Hailu.

Experts say there are great opportunities with demand for agricultural produce expected to drastically increase
Farmers provide 80% of food produced on the continent, the demand for agricultural produce is expected to continue growing with Africa's population expected to grow by a further one billion by 2050.

"Whenever you get urbanization, accelerated urbanization, supermarkets follow. That’s what they look for, large population and access to many people. With Walmat arriving in South Africa and moving north, so you will see many more and they require secure markets," says Professor David Hughes of the Food and Marketing at Imperial College in London.

Mandla Nkomo of Techno serve SA says: "Your first of support needs is to come from government, but we all know across continent the extension services are in limbo they haven't been delivering what is required. But more mature markets like South Africa Agri businesses are offering extension services, so the bulk of money is coming from big commercial farmers. No one paying attention to small holder farmer."

Experts say improved links between farmers and buyers allow for tailored production guaranteed sales at more stable prices.

www.sabc.co.za

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