The Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) is on the spot for promoting the use of hybrid and Genetically Modified seeds and chemical fertilizers in Africa.

A new study has raised concerns about AGRA’s potential to exert coercive and undue influence, undermining homegrown policy initiatives by infiltrating African governments with a view to influencing policies that promote bad agricultural practices.

“AGRA is making a concerted effort to place external consultants within African government offices tasked with leading or supporting policy development initiatives. AGRA’s support often tends to create a policy environment conducive to the increased adoption of hybrid and genetically modified (GM) seeds, increased use of chemical fertilisers, and enhanced private sector involvement in agriculture,” says the study, commissioned by the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA).

Local farmers concerns

The study focused on AGRA’s sudden and controversial involvement in the agroecology policy-making process in Vihiga county, sparking concern among local farmers and advocates of sustainable agriculture.
AGRA’s entry, marked by strategic funding and support for capacity-building initiatives, raised fears that their influence could dilute or derail the grassroots efforts aimed at promoting agroecological practices.

“After nearly two years of county-level work to develop the Vihiga County Agroecology Policy, stakeholders are now concerned that AGRA may derail this process with its sudden appearance as a sponsor of the programme. Despite being a latecomer to the discussions, AGRA’s ability to sway key county officials has left many questioning the future direction of Vihiga’s agricultural policies,” the study quoted Ferdinand Wafula of Bio Gardening Innovations (BIOGI), a key driver of agroecology efforts in the region.

He stated that during their last technical meeting in preparation for public participation for that policy, they were surprised to see the Food and Land Use Coalition (FOLU Kenya), an AGRA affiliate, being recognized as one of the stakeholders. This took many of them by surprise as they were rumored to have funded and supported capacity building for top county officials on agroecology.

“AGRA often uses terms such as “climate-smart agriculture” to obscure its support for chemical fertilisers. This allows AGRA to present an image of supporting sustainable practices while continuing to promote high-input agricultural methods that do not align with the principles of true agroecology. Earlier plans had not included such terms.”

According to AFSA coordinator Million Belay, AGRA has leveraged its financial resources to influence the Vihiga agroecological policymaking process, sidelining local initiatives.

When questioned about AGRA’s late entry, a county official acknowledged that AGRA, like other partners, is merely supporting the policy by facilitating workshops and capacity-building initiatives for county staff.

Agricultural policies

According to Belay, early evidence from the AFSA study show AGRA’s growing influence on agricultural policies across multiple levels, from local to continental.

“AGRA has significantly shaped agricultural policy across Africa at the continental level. By engaging in and supporting key initiatives such as climate summits, the African Food Systems Summit, the African Union’s Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit, and the Post-Malabo Process, AGRA has exerted considerable influence on the direction of African agriculture,” says Belay.

Apart from that, AGRA has shifted its focus from field-level interventions to a more insidious approach that prioritizes influencing agricultural policy across the continent. While AGRA’s efforts may claim to be supporting agricultural development, the evidence gathered in this investigation reveals a pattern of undue influence that often compromises the sovereignty of African nations and undermines sustainable agricultural practices.

They accuse AGRA of influencing policy-making processes by providing financial resources to engage consultants, funding local organisations aligned with its agenda, and promoting government policies that support its push for commercial farming.

Concerns have been raised about the dominance of AGRA and similar entities in this process. Critics argue that AGRA’s focus on synthetic fertilisers and corporate-led agendas could undermine the interests of African farmers and shift the policy landscape away from sustainable and inclusive agricultural policies and practices.

“As Africa continues to develop its agricultural policies, it is crucial to ensure that these processes are democratic, transparent, and inclusive AGRA’s fingerprints are all over Africa’s agricultural policies. They represent an attack on African food sovereignty,” says Belay.

He adds that “the future of Africa’s food systems depends on the ability of its governments and people to resist external pressures and prioritise policies that are in the best interests of their farmers, ecosystems, and communities.”

Influencing policy

Kenya is not the only African country where AGRA is influencing agricultural policies. The same is happening in Zambia too.

According to AFSA, in Zambia, AGRA collaborates with key institutions such as the Ministry of Agriculture, the Zambia Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI), and the Seed Control and Certification Institute (SCCI), shaping the country’s agricultural policies.

Most recently, Zambia has experienced AGRA’s undue influence in shaping a new 10-year agriculture investment policy, highlighting the need for scrutiny and transparency in AGRA’s interactions with national governments.

At the regional level, AGRA has influenced seed legislation and promoted the incorporation of COMESA seed trade harmonisation regulations into national laws.

“AGRA’s involvement in agriculture across Africa, has led to deteriorating conditions in its target countries. In its 13 focus countries, AGRA’s promotion of seeds and fertilisers has failed to deliver the promised productivity revolution, resulting in increased deprivation. The collapse of Zambia’s food system, highlighted in a recent report by the African Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), directly results from this harmful interference,” says Belay.

AGRA’s involvement in major African Union initiatives is shaping the future of agriculture across Africa, often prioritising corporate interests over the needs of smallholder farmers in continental forums, the study established.