ASNET puts private sector at heart of Africa’s next agricultural revolution
The Agricultural Sector Network (ASNET) has used the 20th anniversary celebrations of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) to highlight the importance of stronger private-sector participation in driving Africa’s agricultural transformation. The celebrations have brought together agricultural stakeholders from across the continent to assess the progress made over the past two decades and discuss how partnerships can help address emerging challenges in food systems.
Speaking during a panel session, ASNET Chair Dr. Bimal Kantaria recognised AGRA’s contribution to Kenya’s agricultural sector, particularly through investment, knowledge development and partnerships with industry stakeholders. Dr. Kantaria said collaboration between the public and private sectors has demonstrated its potential to deliver major agricultural interventions in Kenya.
He cited the Galana Kulalu project, reforms in the sugar industry, soil health programmes and the fertiliser subsidy initiative among efforts where public-private cooperation has played an important role. According to Dr. Kantaria, continued coordination of private-sector players will be critical if African countries are to build more productive and sustainable agricultural systems.
He also acknowledged AGRA’s support for Business Membership Organisations (BMOs), saying such partnerships have helped strengthen private-sector coordination and create opportunities for initiatives aimed at improving farmers’ livelihoods. The ASNET chair commended AGRA for recognising that agricultural transformation requires more than government intervention, with farmers, businesses, industry associations and development partners all having a role to play.
The AGRA@20 milestone comes as African countries continue to seek ways of improving food production, strengthening agricultural value chains and making food systems more resilient. For Kenya, the discussions provide an opportunity to reflect on the role that stronger collaboration between government and the private sector can play in unlocking investment and accelerating agricultural development. As AGRA begins its next chapter, stakeholders are expected to focus increasingly on partnerships capable of translating agricultural investments and innovations into tangible benefits for farmers and food systems across Africa.
