The Presidential Initiative to End Hunger in Africa (IEHA) supports the Millenium Development Goal of halving the number of hungry people in Africa. The Initiative focuses on promoting agricultural growth by investing in a smallholder-oriented agricultural growth strategy.

The problem of hunger is widespread in Africa. It is estimated that about 30% of the people in Africa are undernourished, and according to a recent USDA study, Africa will account for 73% of the world’s malnourished people by 2015. IEHA was therefore launched at a workshop during the World Summit on Sustainable Development in August 2002 in South Africa in order to address this development challenge. IEHA is implemented by USAID and relevant partners.

The Initiative will be implemented in West Africa by USAID/WARP, Ghana, and Mali. Six themes structure the Initiative:

Harnessing the power of scientific and technological applications to raise agricultural productivity for local and export markets and to increase the stability and volume of supplies. In West Africa, research networks implemented by National Agricultural Research Services (NARS) but coordinated by sub-regional organizations and international agricultural research centers have developed improved, high-yielding varieties of crops and constitute a source for the dissemination of improved technologies. USAID/WARP will look for innovative ways of collaborating with these and new partners.

Developing efficient agricultural trade and market systems that add value to products and processes, reduce consumer costs, and that create a climate conducive to investment. WARP will continue to work with and strengthen the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and other relevant institutions by helping remove current impediments to the unhindered movement of goods and services in the region.

Strengthening producer organizations to provide a range of business, training, and leadership development services to members and to lobby decision-makers on important policy issues. WARP plans to work with relevant organizations including the West African Businesswomen’s Network (WABNET) and the Reseau des Organisations Paysannes et de Producteurs de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (ROPPA) in strengthening their effectiveness.

Building human and institutional capacity to shape agricultural policy and research, provide relevant education, and improve infrastructure that supports agricultural growth.Although many West African countries have made significant policy reforms, there needs to be corresponding upgrading in the level of competence in human capacity and institutional reforms commensurate with liberalized market economies.

Ensuring that sustainable environmental approaches contribute to agricultural growth through resource conservation and the production of goods and services that generate economic benefits. Small-scale farmers in West Africa have to grapple with a fragile agro-ecology as well as with increased population pressure and urban encroachment onto arable lands. These are policy and research challenges that will require WARP and its partners to (1) strengthen regulatory controls, (2) undertake participatory farmer training for integrated pest management, and (3) build capacity for monitoring environmental and health impacts by relevant regional and international institutions.

Ensuring that the needs of vulnerable groups and countries in transition are met so that they can find viable routes out of poverty and so that their vulnerability to weather, market and conflict-induced shocks is reduced.WARP, will work with the Agency’s Food for Peace unit (FFP) and its Bureau of Economic Growth, Agriculture, and Trade (EGAT) as well as relevant implementing institutions to ensure that, as disasters and conflicts are brought under control, activities to promote peace, income-generation, and minimize vulnerability are initiated to ensure a smooth transition from relief to development.