The challenges of new partnership for Africa's development (NEPAD) in poverty alleviation through sustainable agriculture in Southern African Development Community's (SADAC) poor rural communities

Abstract

Agricultural decline and high rate of poverty in Southern Africa Developing Community (SADC) are focal point of this study. The international community, Governments in Southern Africa and New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), see sustainable agriculture as the only means towards economic growth and recovery of the sub-region. The study points out that carefully formulated policy frameworks, strategies and initiatives by NEPAD can help the national governments in the SADC region to work towards intergovernmental and regional trade relations which will enhance economic growth and reduce high incidents of poverty in SADC region. The international organizations such as the United Nations Food and the multinational organisations such as United Nations Food an Agricultural Organization (FAO), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, played an important role in assisting the SADC region with financial assistance, policy formulation and strategies needed in the implementation of poverty alleviation programmes. The donor organisations such as the United States- USAID agency are willing to form partnership with both NEPAD and governments in the Sub-Saharan region in their endeavour to eradicate poverty hunger and to develop the agricultural sector and the economy in general. The study also highlights the HIV\AID epidemic as consequently affecting the agricultural labour force ad the food production.