Date:
March 12, 2015
9:30am-11:00am
Panelists:
The Hon. Mike Johanns, Former Senator from Nebraska
George Iranga, Head of Office, Cholima Research Center, Tanzania and former President, UWAWAKUDA Farmer Cooperative
Tjada Mckenna, Deputy Director, Feed the Future Initiative, USAID
Ray Offenheiser, President, Oxfam America
Moderator:
Phil Brasher, Senior Editor, Agri-Pulse
Background and Event Description:
The launch of the Feed the Future initiative (FtF) in 2010 brought agriculture back to the center of the US development agenda. To better understand whether this effort will lead to lasting, positive impacts to right the wrong of hunger, Oxfam America examined FtF activities in six countries: Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, Senegal and Tanzania. The case studies examined issues of inclusiveness, empowerment, aid effectiveness, and sustainability – themes instrumental in the sustainability and impact of Feed the Future activities.
The research points to substantial, real and important improvements in the way the US government, especially the US Agency for International Development (USAID), delivers assistance. At the same time, continued efforts are needed to refine and strengthen FtF to ensure current US investments contribute to long-term improvements in food security, especially for small-scale producers.