AFJN works with a variety of other organizations in pursuit of fair US policy towards African agriculture. Two thirds of Africans depend on agriculture for a living, and yet food insecurity is prevalent in many parts of Africa. This makes our advocacy efforts on this issue especially crucial.

The US Government should:
• Reform the food aid system so that it works for the betterment and empowerment of its African recipients. This includes, but is not limited to, untying US food aid and increasing funding for development programs such as school feeding.
• Overhaul the farm subsidy system with the intent that it no longer artificially depreciate prices and disadvantage African farmers. Loan deficiency payments and other trade distorting programs should be eliminated or significantly reduced.
• Remove trade barriers to African agricultural goods. This should be done through the next African Growth and Opportunities Act (renewed every two years), the Farm Bill (renewed every five years), or similar legislation.
• Embrace safe techniques for improving farm yields and respect African farmers’ rights to their agricultural genetic resources (seeds, crops, plants, etc.). This includes no patenting of life forms.