Prime minister Stephen Harper won praise from foreign aid and development activists last week for announcing a new international program that encourages the private sector to invest in food projects.
During the G20 leaders’ meeting in Mexico, Harper championed a food program called AgResults, which will see governments set money aside to contribute when private investment has produced results for food production in developing countries.
Canada committed $40 million over five years, and other countries, including the United Kingdom and Australia, also pledged funds.
“AgResults involves donors allocating relatively small amounts of public sector money to leverage private sector research and development on food security challenges that would otherwise go unaddressed due to market uncertainties,” said the government announcement.
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Harper said it was a Canadian-led effort that helps ensure “people around the world have access to sufficient, safe and nutritious foods.”
World Vision Canada praised the announcement as a potential breakthrough.
“Children and families living in poverty can know their voices have finally made it to the table as a whisper, thanks to Canada’s leadership on food security and nutrition,” World Vision food security specialist Sherri Arnott said in a statement from Los Cabos, Mexico, where G20 leaders met.
She called development of the AgResults program in consultation with aid activists “the most inclusive and transparent G20 process that World Vision has experienced.”
Oxfam Canada policy co-ordinator Mark Fried also praised the initiative and Harper’s leadership.
“It’s great that Canada is leading on new approaches to financing research and development to help the world’s poor and hungry farmers,” said Fried.
“If done well, the AgResults initiative could provide incentives for the private sector to come up with innovative solutions.”
He said the program will not replace the need for effective food and development aid but could be an important supplement.
The government said the intent of the program is to attract private investment into projects such as more effective livestock vaccines, better fertilizers and systems to reduce post-harvest losses.
This year, the first projects will concentrate on improving corn production in sub-Saharan Africa, targeting smallholder farmers.
Harper said it will be a “pay-on-results” program that will provide financial support only when private investment results in measurable improvements in developing world food production.
