Former Minister for Agriculture and Animal Resources Agnes Kalibata has been appointed the interim President of The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (Agra), a continental agricultural organisation that seeks to lift small-scale farmers out of poverty and hunger.

Dr Kalibata, who was first named to Agra Board before being appointed as acting president, replaces Kenya’s Jane Karuku, who stepped down after two years on the job.

Kalibata, who becomes Agra’s third president since its inception in 2007, declined to give a comment when contacted, only refering this paper to the Agra statement.

"Agnes Kalibata has a distinguished track record as an agricultural scientist, policy-maker and thought leader, which makes her uniquely qualified to take on the interim President role at Agra. The Agra Board thanks her for taking up this role,” Strive Masiyiwa, the Agra board chair is quoted in the statement on the organisation’s web site as saying.

The statement did not indicate how long Dr Kalibata would be acting.

Masiyiwa said under Karuku’s leadership, Agra took considerable strides "and the Board would like to thank her for her leadership and contributions during her tenure. We are sad to see her leave.”

Dr Kalibata served as Minister for Agriculture since 2009 until recently when she was replaced by Geraldine Mukeshimana.

She is currently the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Rwanda in charge of Institutional Advancement.

Agra, with head offices in Nairobi, works across sub-Saharan Africa to develop programmes to boost productivity and incomes for the poor farmers.