Bill Gates’ Statement in Response to G8 Food Security Commitment | Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

SEATTLE -- Bill Gates commended today’s announcement by President Obama of investment in Africa’s agriculture to help millions of people lift themselves out of hunger and poverty.

President Obama as chair of the G8 announced support for a range of efforts to increase the productivity and nutrition of smallholder farmers. He also launched a “New Alliance for Nutrition and Food Security,” an agricultural development program partnering donors with African countries and the private sector.

“I welcome President Obama’s commitment to help ensure coordinated global attention to the critical issue of agricultural development,” said Gates. “These are exactly the kind of smart, innovative partnerships with African governments we need to accelerate progress and I hope that the G8 will put in place clear, actionable targets and accountability mechanisms to ensure these efforts are meaningful. Unless we measure, we can’t see if we are succeeding.”

Today’s announcement also calls for continued support for the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP), which was launched two years by the United States, Spain, Canada, South Korea, and the foundation.
 
By combining strong partnerships, smart investments, and innovative thinking, the foundation believes the global community can enable hard working smallholder farmers to become self-sufficient and build better lives.