Diplomatist Magazine Africa Day Special 2018 | Page 32

ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL
SOWING THE
SEEDS OF SUCCESS
Achieving agricultural progress through partnership
By Kanchi Batra*
I
ndia and Africa together constitute about
one-third of the world’s population and
are seen as investment hotspots of the
global economy. India is one of the fastest
growing economies in the world at present,
and Africa is also going through rapid growth
and development.
It is anticipated that Africa’s Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) has the potential to
reach up to $2.6 trillion by 2020. In addition,
11 of the world’s fastest-growing economies
are in Africa. At present, India and Africa
together have the manpower of almost 2.2
billion and a combined GDP of more than $3
trillion. The agricultural sector in Africa has
great potential to contribute to this growth,
with the continent having a share of almost 60
percent of the uncultivated land in the world
but presently producing only 10 percent of
the global output.
28 • Africa Day Special • 2018
India and Africa have similar agro-
climatic and socio-economic conditions
which create the potential for improved
cooperation in this sector. Some of the key
challenges faced by these economies are
allied to food security, nutrition, increasing
productivity and reducing losses, and raising
economic returns for farmers.
India’s commitment to engage with
Africa is a reinforcement of the political and
economic cooperation. Both the economies
are determined to work together and attain
the common goals of food security, improved
health and nutritional conditions, capacity
building and skill development, technology
transfer, and other parameters that have an
impact on the economic condition of their
peoples. Similar consumer markets in India
and Africa provide great opportunities to
work together and meet various global