United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary is currently visiting Kenya as part of the 8th summit between the United States and Africa to discuss the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA). Secretary Vilsack is in Africa to learn more about the agriculture and nutritional issues and challenges facing the continent.According to an article by Alan Boswell for Voices of America news, the Secretary is also in Africa to promote a new US global food security initiative. The Obama administration requested $1 billion from Congress in 2010 to help fund global agriculture development as part of the program. Vilsack noted that food aid is important to developing countries in Africa, but ultimately, a more sustainable approach to the food challenges of the continent is to help struggling countries develop and improve their agricultural systems.
As part of his trip the Secretary visited a local school where the meals are provided, in part, by support from the United States World Food program. Vilsack also visited a family farm, an agricultural supply company, and a research institute. Vilsack wanted to meet with local farmers and agricultural specialists to learn more about the challenges facing agriculture in Africa.
As far as US agriculture subsidies and alleged trade barriers were concerned, the Secretary noted that those discussion will take place during the continued talks and negotiations for the World Trade Organization's Doha round. Vilsack is quoted by Boswell as stating:
On the one hand, developed nations like the United States have to take a look at
the financial structure that they have that supports farmers and makes
adjustments. On the other hand, there has got to be an expectation and
understanding that developing nations have to be more willing to let their
markets be more open to developed nations. It's a two-way street.
The African trip is the third such trip for Secretary Vilsack to the continent. To read the Boswell article click here.
Posted: 08/05/09
