2008

The third AGRC was convened in Oslo in August 2008, on the theme of Alliance for Action. Some 250 participants from 40 countries, including the President of Malawi, attended.

The main issues raised at the Conference include food security and growth partnerships, markets for the smallholder, financing the green revolution, new models of engagement, and empowering the African entrepreneur. A second day workshop focused on identifying potential partnership projects, which were turned into action plans that can be followed up on in the year ahead. 

Following on from the Conference, representatives of several African governments joined other key stakeholders for further deliberations. The creation of a global fund for financing the AGR, as recommended by the 2007 Conference in its Oslo Declaration, was a main point of discussion.

As Secretary-General of the UN, Mr. Kofi Annan called for an African Green Revolution in 2004. At the AGRC 2008 Mr. Annan was a special guest, and interviewed on stage by Senior Anchor for CNBC Africa, Peter Ndoro. Another special guest at the 2008 Conference was the President of Malawi, Hon Bingu wa Mutharika, who shared his experiences of Malawi’s Green Revolution in a keynote address.

Incorporated with the Conference, the Yara Prize 2008 was awarded to Florence Wambugu of Kenya and Victor Mfinanga of Tanzania.