India-Africa Partnership Strengthens Agricultural Development and Food Security

New Delhi, Jun 28 (KNN) India and African nations are working together to build a more resilient and sustainable agricultural system as part of a growing partnership aimed at tackling food insecurity and promoting rural development.

With agriculture employing nearly 65% of Africa’s workforce but contributing only about 15% to its GDP, the continent faces serious challenges including low productivity, lack of infrastructure, limited access to finance, and the increasing threat of climate change.

In this context, India’s experience and support are being seen as crucial to addressing these gaps.

Through its “3A” strategy – Agriculture, Adaptation, and Access – India is supporting African efforts to modernise farming practices, boost food production, and improve market access.

This cooperation is aligned with African-led initiatives like the African Union’s “Feed Africa” strategy and various programs of the African Development Bank aimed at transforming agriculture into a sustainable and profitable sector.

These initiatives are designed to lift millions out of poverty and reduce the continent’s heavy reliance on food imports, which are projected to reach up to $110 billion by the end of 2025.

India’s engagement ranges from government-to-government partnerships and concessional Lines of Credit to active involvement from private players, NGOs, and training institutions.

Indian grassroots organisations like SEWA are helping transfer community-based development models to African countries, focusing especially on empowering rural women.

Capacity-building, skill transfer, and agricultural research are other critical areas of cooperation that are showing promising results.

Experts believe that expanding this collaboration through deeper bilateral and trilateral partnerships, encouraging more private sector involvement, and promoting shared innovation platforms will be key to long-term success.

With shared goals and complementary strengths, the India-Africa partnership is set to play a pivotal role in strengthening food security and agricultural resilience across the Global South.

(This report draws insights from an article by Samir Bhattacharya, an Associate Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation, originally published in the Indian Express).