€2m fund aims to transfer Irish agri-food knowledge to Africa

Irish agri-food companies will engage in knowledge transfer projects with partners in Africa in a new Government scheme launched yesterday.

The Africa Agri-Food Development Fund is intended to strengthen the African food industry to meet the continent’s food needs. In 2012 and 2013, the pilot phase of the €2m fund will focus on Tanzania and Kenya.

Simon Coveney, the agriculture minister, said: “The Irish agri-food sector is highly respected internationally and I believe that many of the skills developed in the establishment of the industry here could be transferred to assist in the development of the food industry in African countries.

“Irish agri-food expertise, is well established and represents a significant learning resource for the agri-food sector in developing countries.

“The priority of this fund must be how can it improve agricultural productivity in Africa and how associated market opportunities for that output can be developed.

“I’m very aware of the philanthropic goodwill of the Irish agri-food sector and I will be asking them to actively consider what role they might play in the implementation of this fund.”

The inter-departmental initiative was launched by Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Eamon Gilmore, Mr Coveney, and Joe Costello, the trade and development minister.

The fund is designed to encourage the Irish agri-food industry to harness its skills and experience and engage with partner enterprises in Africa.

The aim is to develop partnerships between the Irish agri-food sector and African countries to support sustainable growth of the local food industry, build markets for local produce and build mutual trade between Ireland and Africa.

Mr Gilmore said: “Africa is growing quickly and now boasts a collective GDP to rival Brazil’s or Russia’s. Business opportunities are opening as African countries build trade links with each other and with world markets.

“Irish companies are well-placed to play a role in meeting Africa’s increasing food needs. Our agri-food industries have the skills and the vision to both trade and invest in Africa.

“The Irish Government will continue to provide development aid to Africa to fight poverty and hunger. Through my department’s Africa strategy, our long term aim is to end dependency on aid and to build a new relationship with Africa based on politics, democracy and trade.”

It is intended that initiatives which receive support will be based around themes of food safety, animal health, business development, technology transfer and research and development.

The €2m allocation to the fund is being drawn from overseas development aid budgets in the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The fund will be managed by a steering committee comprised of expertise from both departments.

Mr Costello said the Government’s policy is to fund research to develop drought-resistant seeds, climate-smart farming practices, Vitamin A-rich sweet potato, and control of devastating crop pests.

“During my recent visit to Malawi, I saw how Irish Aid’s support to a programme to increase agricultural productivity has helped to protect 4.6 million people from hunger over the last six years, achieved by supporting small farmers to diversify to more nutritious crops. Partnerships with the private sector were critical to this success.

“This innovative pilot programme to support Africa to build an agri-food sector has the potential to greatly complement the work that Irish Aid is doing in many partner countries in increasing agricultural productivity.”

The fund’s steering committee will prepare a report for consideration by ministers which will prioritise areas for support in the pilot phase.