Des Moines, Iowa – Today, anti-poverty advocacy group, ONE hosted a panel discussion about the crucial role that everyday Americans can play in promoting efforts to support the struggle poor farmers face in their fight to break free from the cycle of poverty.  In sub-Saharan Africa, two-thirds of the population is employed in agriculture, and growth in agriculture is twice as effective at reducing poverty compared to growth in other sectors.

“I’ve seen firsthand the catalytic effect of agriculture in Africa and the enormous impact that very simple, low cost solutions and investments in women can have on a community,” said Sheila Nix, ONE Executive Director. “Advocacy and raising awareness are critical in building the political will and public support to put the world’s poorest on a sustainable path out of poverty.”

As the World Food Prize recognizes the importance of individual contributions toward a more nutritious and secure food supply for all people, ONE and the advocacy community play a critical role in educating and encouraging policymakers to support efforts to promote agriculture as a key tool to end hunger and promote sustainable pathways out of extreme poverty.  “Iowans, by nature, are a compassionate group of people. Living on such fertile soil, we don’t want to see anyone go hungry,” Karey Claghorn, Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. “Agriculture is a big deal in Iowa and we need to keep our leaders engaged and informed in efforts to help farmers in the developing world to feed themselves so that no one goes hungry.

At the peak of the 2008 food crisis, world leaders signaled a renewed focus on investing in agriculture as a means of poverty reduction in poor countries with a focus on smallholder female farmers. Two years later, commitments have waned as headlines have faded. With more than two million ONE members worldwide, ONE is working to hold leaders accountable to their commitments and push for smart, cost effective policies to avoid future food crises.

“Combating hunger in Africa requires a focus on agriculture,” Richard Mkandawire, Head of Partnerships for Resource Mobilization and Communication at the African Union. “Advocacy is critical in keeping this issue on the agenda so that agriculture does become another fad that comes and goes. We must call upon the global community to support the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Program (CAADP) as a vision for the restoring agricultural growth and food security in Africa.”