If agriculture in Eastern and Central Africa remains in its current state, not a single nation in the region will achieve the Millennium Development Goal of halving poverty by 2015. In the hopes of averting such a dismal outcome, this report analyzes agricultural development priorities and investment patterns in the region and their impact on growth and poverty rates, seeking an improved agricultural strategy. Using the Dynamic Research Evaluation for Management (DREAM) model and other tools to evaluate opportunities for increasing both agricultural and overall economic growth, the authors offer alternatives to the status quo. They propose approaches such as tailoring agricultural production to demand within Eastern and Central Africa, encouraging a wide variety of agricultural production to match the diversity of national demands and capacities, and promoting regional cooperation in agricultural development. Their analysis and conclusions should interest specialists in agricultural policy and investments, particularly those concerned with the impact of both on poverty reduction.

Agricultural mechanization in Africa south of the Sahara — especially for small farms and businesses — requires a new paradigm to meet the needs of the continent’s evolving farming systems. Can Asia, with its recent success in adopting mechanization, offer a model for Africa? An Evolving Paradigm of Agricultural Mechanization Development analyzes the experiences of eight Asian and five African countries. The authors explore crucial government roles in boosting and supporting mechanization, from import policies to promotion policies to public good policies. Potential approaches presented to facilitating mechanization in Africa include prioritizing market-led hiring services, eliminating distortions, and developing appropriate technologies for the African context. The role of agricultural mechanization within overall agricultural and rural transformation strategies in Africa is also discussed. The book’s recommendations and insights should be useful to national policymakers and the development community, who can adapt this knowledge to local contexts and use it as a foundation for further research.

This document presents proceedings and outcomes of the joint FAOSFE–ASARECA Regional Strategy Workshop on Fall Armyworm (FAW) for Eastern and Central Africa (ECA), held in Entebbe, Uganda from 18-20 September 2017. The objectives of the workshop were to: (i) create awareness of FAW; (ii) discuss effective and rational management of FAW; (iii) strengthen linkages and the exchange of information among the relevant stakeholders; and (iv) develop an action research strategy/ plan on FAW for resource mobilization. Thematic areas of the multi-stakeholder workshop included: (i) the status of FAW in ECA and ongoing response activities; (ii) identification and monitoring of FAW in ECA; (iii) appraisal of damage caused by the FAW; (iv) review of FAW management measures; and (v) review and strengthening of strategic partnerships and coordination for the control of FAW. This document describes five strategic intervention areas for sustainable management of FAW in Eastern Africa: (i) development of a FAW monitoring and forecasting system for early detection and action; (ii) appraisal of the options to manage FAW; (iii) exploration of mechanisms to ensure effective coordination, communication and awareness raising relating to FAW management; (iv) development of capacity for FAW impact assessment; and (v) development of strategies for resource mobilization towards sustainable FAW management. Implementing the Eastern Africa Fall Armyworm Strategy and Implementation Plan (EAFAMSIP) will require partnerships and collaboration among a wide variety of stakeholders and organizations. Policy and decision-makers are encouraged to establish mechanisms to adapt EAFAMSIP to the national priorities and opportunities.

"The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic marks the most significant, singular global disruption since World War II, with health, economic, political, and security implications that will ripple for years to come." -Global Trends 2040 (2021) Global Trends 2040-A More Contested World (2021), released by the US National Intelligence Council, is the latest report in its series of reports starting in 1997 about megatrends and the world's future. This report, strongly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, paints a bleak picture of the future and describes a contested, fragmented and turbulent world. It specifically discusses the four main trends that will shape tomorrow's world: - Demographics-by 2040, 1.4 billion people will be added mostly in Africa and South Asia. - Economics-increased government debt and concentrated economic power will escalate problems for the poor and middleclass. - Climate-a hotter world will increase water, food, and health insecurity. - Technology-the emergence of new technologies could both solve and cause problems for human life. Students of trends, policymakers, entrepreneurs, academics, journalists and anyone eager for a glimpse into the next decades, will find this report, with colored graphs, essential reading.

One of the major challenges facing most countries in sub-Saharan Africa is the need to invest significant resources into strengthening their capacity to increase the availability of good-quality seeds of a wider range of plant varieties. This publication presents the proceedings of the Regional Technical Meeting on Seed Policy and Programmes for sub-Saharan Africa.