NEW CAMPAIGN AIMS TO HELP 85 MILLION AFRICANS OUT OF POVERTY

30 Jan 2014

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (January 29, 2014)* - The ONE Campaign today released a new report and launched a campaign calling for African governments to commit to spending at least 10% of national budgets on effective agriculture investments, through transparent and accountable budgets. At the heart of the campaign, called *Do Agric, it Pays*, is an effort to push political leaders to adopt better policies that will boost productivity, increase incomes and help lift millions of Africans out of extreme poverty.

Nigerian singer-songwriter D'banj was on hand for the *Do Agric, it Pays* kick-off event in Addis Ababa today, along with campaign champion Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete. Civil society partners at the launch included the AUC, Pan African Farmers Association (PAFO), ActionAid International, Acord International, Oxfam and the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). Côte d'Ivoire footballer Yaya Tour*é* has also signed on to promote the campaign.

The launch of *Do Agric* in Addis Ababa coincides with the 2014 January African Union (AU) summit, where heads of state are gathered to discuss key development challenges across the continent. The AU has declared 2014 the Year of Agriculture in Africa.