Secretary Clinton Highlights Food Security, Gender Equity, and Economic Growth during Tour of African Continent

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton traveled to sub-Saharan Africa from July 31 through August 10 for an extensive tour of the continent, which included stops in Senegal, South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, and Benin. The tour focused on numerous policy issues including democracy and governance, economic growth, peace and security, and women’s empowerment.

Secretary Clinton also notably highlighted Feed the Future and food security issues during her visit to Malawi, where she discussed economic and political governance and reform with President Joyce Banda, who assumed office earlier this year. Between FY 2010 and 2012, $51 million in Feed the Future resources were invested to strengthen Malawi’s agriculture sector.

Delivering remarks at the Feed the Future-supported Lumbadzi Milk Bulking Group, Secretary Clinton said, “We want to help agriculture in Malawi get even stronger, so that all the children will have better lives. And I particularly thank the women farmers who are here before me for their hard work, and their families, their husbands, and their children for being part of this successful program.”

The dairy sector is also a Feed the Future priority in Malawi and has expanded rapidly in recent years, thanks in part to U.S. investments. Over the past decade, milk production in Malawi has increased 500 percent.

Want to read more about Secretary Clinton’s travel to African countries? Click here to visit the Department of State’s trip page.