NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

THEME : CLOSING THE ‘PRODUCTIVITY GAP’

Africa’s economic future depends on success in agriculture, which in turn depends on empowering famers (especially smallholder farmers (with less than two hectares) – who constitute about 80% of all farms) – to increase productivity by adopting modern farming methods. However, success in agriculture which in turn ensures food security can be a daunting task. There are myriad factors and interrelated parts that, in combination, make food security a complex challenge.
This 2 day conference will kick start discussions addressing the needs of a dynamic food security program. Climate change, agri inputs, water scarcity, land rights, fairer agricultural policies, technological developments- all of these issues and more will be addressed as we seek ways to infinitely maximize the crop yields on existing resources in- face of ever-decreasing farm size due to land subdivision as Africa’s population grows. The Exhibition will run alongside the event and will show case latest technologies and other innovative products and solutions.