Poverty has been diminishing worldwide since the 1980s. But this does not apply to many countries in Africa. Instead of resigning to this fate, it is necessary to activate the available political and technological instruments to strengthen Africa's economic growth. But this initiative has to be taken by the countries themselves. Experience from Europe and North America have demonstrated that a strong agricultural sector forms the rock-solid basis for industrialisation to follow. Without food security and healthy labour, progress goals remain difficult to attain. A prerequisite to Africa's successful leap into the world economy is the improvement of its agricultural infrastructure, such as irrigation, rural electrification, telecommunications and - most important of all -roads.

Sigfrido Burgos
Animal Production and Health Division
UN Food and Agriculture Organization - Rome, Italy
sigfrido.burgos@fao.org