Netherlands
Madam Chairperson,
Let me first fully allign myself with the statement made by the Czech Republic on behalf of
the EU.
Africa is a top priority in development cooperation policy of the Netherlands. We aim to
commit half of our development assistance budget to Sub-Sahara Africa. We support, among
many other initiatives and programmes, the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development
Programme under the New Partnership for Africa?s Development NEPAD, which strengthens
the ownership by African countries of their development process. The Netherlands is a
generous supporter to the multi-donor trust fund for NEPAD.
To enhance the effectivenes of development assistance, The Netherlands is a strong supporter
of implementation of the Paris Principles for Aid Effectiveness. By implementing these
principles we not only enhance ownership by receiving countries, we also make sure that the
flow of assistance is harmonised and well coordinated.
Madam chair, my country attaches great value to Good Governance. In the context of the
desired increase of sustainable agricultural production, this means that governments play a
facilitating role in developing markets and an infrastructure, and also by establishing an
adequate regulatory legal framework.
Madam Chair,
In our view it is key in CSD 17 to agree on what we all can do to ensure that a real Green
Revolution in Africa can take place.This means we have to listen to Africa. The regional
Ministerial Meeting in Windhoek has provided very useful recommendations to make the
Green Revolution work. Investment and activities need to be tailored to the specificities of the
continent?s highly diverse agro-ecological conditions, farming systems and socio-cultural
contexts.
Productivity improvements can be achieved through technological as well as through other
means. In this respect I would like to highlight the importance to take a gender perspective
into account. Research has shown that in regions where women enjoy equal access to
education as men, crop yields are between 7 and 22% higher. When women finish primary
education, agricultural production rises even 24%! That is why The Netherlands invests in
education and training for women and girls through a 70 million euro fund specifically for the
achievement of MDG 3.
Access to microfinance, insurance and small business credit offers the poor the opportunity to
start their own business. This is especially important for women. The Netherlands supports
these initiatives through a wide array of partners, among which the Consultative Group to
assist the Poor and Women?s World Banking.
Finally, Madam Chair, let's not forget the farmers themselves! Farmers do have extensive
knowledge about the wide range of African farming systems that vary both across and within
major agro-ecological zones. Thus, farmer organisations, both locally and national should be
consulted when agricultural policies are being developed.
Thank you, Madam Chairperson
Let me first fully allign myself with the statement made by the Czech Republic on behalf of
the EU.
Africa is a top priority in development cooperation policy of the Netherlands. We aim to
commit half of our development assistance budget to Sub-Sahara Africa. We support, among
many other initiatives and programmes, the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development
Programme under the New Partnership for Africa?s Development NEPAD, which strengthens
the ownership by African countries of their development process. The Netherlands is a
generous supporter to the multi-donor trust fund for NEPAD.
To enhance the effectivenes of development assistance, The Netherlands is a strong supporter
of implementation of the Paris Principles for Aid Effectiveness. By implementing these
principles we not only enhance ownership by receiving countries, we also make sure that the
flow of assistance is harmonised and well coordinated.
Madam chair, my country attaches great value to Good Governance. In the context of the
desired increase of sustainable agricultural production, this means that governments play a
facilitating role in developing markets and an infrastructure, and also by establishing an
adequate regulatory legal framework.
Madam Chair,
In our view it is key in CSD 17 to agree on what we all can do to ensure that a real Green
Revolution in Africa can take place.This means we have to listen to Africa. The regional
Ministerial Meeting in Windhoek has provided very useful recommendations to make the
Green Revolution work. Investment and activities need to be tailored to the specificities of the
continent?s highly diverse agro-ecological conditions, farming systems and socio-cultural
contexts.
Productivity improvements can be achieved through technological as well as through other
means. In this respect I would like to highlight the importance to take a gender perspective
into account. Research has shown that in regions where women enjoy equal access to
education as men, crop yields are between 7 and 22% higher. When women finish primary
education, agricultural production rises even 24%! That is why The Netherlands invests in
education and training for women and girls through a 70 million euro fund specifically for the
achievement of MDG 3.
Access to microfinance, insurance and small business credit offers the poor the opportunity to
start their own business. This is especially important for women. The Netherlands supports
these initiatives through a wide array of partners, among which the Consultative Group to
assist the Poor and Women?s World Banking.
Finally, Madam Chair, let's not forget the farmers themselves! Farmers do have extensive
knowledge about the wide range of African farming systems that vary both across and within
major agro-ecological zones. Thus, farmer organisations, both locally and national should be
consulted when agricultural policies are being developed.
Thank you, Madam Chairperson
Stakeholders