This publication contains the main report of a study championing the case for increased public support to agricultural and food security in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It advances some main reasons why agriculture in SSA deserves more public support. SSA governments cannot and should not ignore the sector on which about 70 percent of their population directly depend for their livelihoods if they are serious about their commitment to the MDG1. On average, agriculture in SSA has generally performed better than most other sectors, except in countries endowed with mineral resources.