Former UN chief Kofi Annan announced on Thursday that he will be leading a new organization funded by Microsoft chairman Bill Gates, aimed at improving food production in Africa. Annan expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to address the challenges faced by small-scale farmers in Africa and work towards increasing their productivity. The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, established with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation, will focus on supporting farmers in Africa to combat poverty and hunger by increasing farm productivity and incomes. The organization is based in Nairobi, Kenya. Annan stated that the organization plans to collaborate with governments and farmers to enhance local and regional agricultural markets, improve irrigation, soil health, and provide training for farmers. They also aim to support the development of new seed systems that can better withstand the challenging African climate. Annan emphasized that they will not advocate for the use of genetically modified seeds, which have sparked controversy in some African countries, but instead focus on enhancing disease resistance in existing seeds. He expressed his hope that agricultural productivity could potentially double or even triple within the next 10-20 years, emphasizing that this is not just a dream but a goal that will be supported by concrete actions. The Alliance expressed support for the goals outlined in the African Union's CAADP, which aims for a 6 percent annual increase in food production by 2015. They plan to implement agricultural changes that have been successful in Asia and Latin America. During his time at the United Nations, Annan often highlighted the connection between Africa's struggling agriculture systems and its ongoing issues with hunger and poverty. Over the last five years, the percentage of underweight children in Africa has increased by approximately 12 percent. Annan, who is from Ghana, recently completed a decade-long term as UN secretary-general.