Countries in east and central Africa depend on agriculture as the main vehicle for economic growth. Their development objectives aim at poverty reduction, promotion of food security, promotion of commercialization of smallholder agriculture, and increasing agricultural production and productivity.  Although many economies have exhibited faster and steadier economic growth as a result in part of significant policy reforms especially at the macro level. Commitments to increase investments to agriculture, further policy reforms and involvement in regional initiatives aimed at reducing investment and trade barriers hold the key to increasing and sustaining growth required to attain the MDGs.

Michael Waithaka
Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Southern Africa - Entebbe, Uganda
m.waithaka@asareca.org