One of Africa’s biggest musical collaborations ever ‘Cocoa na Chocolate’, have launched by ONE.org, in support of a new campaign aimed at boosting investments in agriculture: ‘Do Agric, It Pays.’

Nigeria’s D’Banj and Femi Kuti, South Africa’s Judith Sephuma, Fally Ipupa from DR Congo, Kenya’s Juliani and Tiken Jah Fakoly from Cote d’Ivoire were part of the nineteen top recording artistes who joined hands to help rebrand agriculture in Africa, using their musical talents to inspire young people to join the campaign as well as catch the attention of political leaders on the continent ahead of the African Union summit holding in June.

“As African musicians, agriculture is the single most important cause we could champion together and I am proud to say we are doing it with ONE voice,” said award-winning singer, D’Banj.

In the song with eighteen other African music stars, youths are encouraged to join the fight against extreme poverty on the continent by signing the petition. The campaign already has 3,808,877 members globally.

The song in support of African agriculture by artists who connect with the continent’s youths is expected to give the message: “it’s time for African leaders to scale up public investments in agriculture and ensure policy interventions are targeted to benefit smalholder farmers who provide 80% of the food we eat on the continent,” said Dr. Sipho S. Moyo, ONE.org Africa Executive Director.

UN-FAO says agricultural growth is 11 times more effective at reducing poverty than growth in other sectors like utilities and mining; the campaign is intended to let governments across Africa recognise this and commit at least 10 percent of national budgets to agricultural investments through transparent and accountable budgets.