World leaders are set to come together in Ethiopia at the Third International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD) to discuss how to pay for the elimination of global poverty and hunger through supporting investment in sustainable agriculture. This move is positive as growth in the agricultural sector has been estimated to be 11 times more effective in reducing poverty and inducing growth in sub-Saharan Africa.

While lack of access to credit facilities severely hampers farm productivity, it is important that the high level forum tackles other key factors impacting negatively on farm productivity such as cash crop farming; food aid; agricultural subsidies in developed countries, land grabs to produce biofuels and fickle technologies.

Ultimately, it is the African people who are charged with the final responsibility of feeding themselves. Waiting for donor benevolence while proactive steps are not taken to implement the neat pro-agriculture policies stuck on the shelves of respective African countries will continue to sustain agriculture in the intensive care unit.