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Tag: agribusiness

A marine engineer embarks on making life easier for farmers in his native village, by establishing a one-stop shop agri-business center

Written by Nima Chodon on . Posted in Features.

On the northern banks of the Ganges lies the city of Begusarai, in India’s Bihar State. Amid the expected structures of a city—temples and transit hubs—is a five-acre business hub dedicated to agriculture. This center, called the Bhusari Cold Storage Center, includes a 7,000-ton cold storage facility for vegetables, a dry grain storage area, outlets for farmer inputs and outputs, a farmer training center, a soil testing laboratory, and a farm implement bank. The brainchild of Navneet Ranjan, this facility works in collaboration with state partners, CIMMYT, and the Cereal System Initiative for South Asia (CSISA) project.

In the decade since its formation, the center has served nearly 100 villages in and around Begusarai, helping thousands of smallholder farmers access equipment, knowledge, and seeds they otherwise do not have access to.

“Since coming to the center I have not only benefited in using mechanized services at a small price but also learned about new schemes and incentives provided to smallholder farmers by the government,” said Ram Kumar Singh, a farmer from the village of Bikrampur. A similar story was related by Krishadev Rai from the village of Sakarpura, who said the laser land leveler machine at the center dramatically lowered costs associated with irrigation and other inputs, including information about different fertilizers and varietal seeds available at the market.

Farmers from the region have benefited immensely from the services of the center. According to Anurag Kumar, a CIMMYT senior research associate with CSISA, “The existence of the state-of-the-art center in the last decade has helped over 25,000 smallholder farmers avail themselves of services and information on farming and agriculture.” He said the center has also helped promote conservation agriculture technologies, implement climate-resilient farming practices, and build the capacity of smallholder farmers.

Ranjan, a native of the region, is a marine engineer by education but has diversified experiences from different sectors. A decade ago, Ranjan returned home after pursuing higher education and working in distant cities in India and abroad.

Ranjan met recently with CSISA representatives to share his motivation, hopes, and aspirations about the reach and impact of the Bhusari Center for farmers of Begusarai and beyond.

How did the Bhusari Agri-business center, popularly known as Bhusari Cold Storage, come into being?

In 2012, driven by a deep-rooted desire to bridge the significant societal gap between my professional advancements in the corporate world and the enduring struggles within my rural hometown in Bihar, I founded the Bhusari Agri-business Center. The name “Bhusari” was thoughtfully chosen, as it represents approximately 50 villages in the area, traditionally, and collectively known by this moniker, underscoring our commitment to the region’s agricultural heritage and community.

From the start, we knew we wanted our center, born from a combination of my family’s initial investment and funding secured through a State Bank of India loan alongside a significant subsidy from the Government of Bihar, to serve as a comprehensive agri-business solution. We designed this project not only as a business venture but as a social enterprise aimed at improving the livelihoods of local farmers by ensuring better returns for their produce, disrupting the traditional agricultural value chain that often left them exploited.

The establishment of Bhusari Cold Storage stands as a testament to the potential of marrying native understanding with professional management to foster socio-economic development in rural areas.

During an interactive session with progressive farmers, Ranjan listens to a farmer express his expectation from the Bhusari center. (Photo: CIMMYT)

What has been your biggest achievement with the establishment of Bhusari Cold Storage?

If I were to pinpoint our most significant achievement, it would be the creation of the farm implement bank. This initiative has helped revolutionize the agricultural landscape for the small-scale farmers in our area by providing them with access to modern farming equipment.

Before the inception of this bank, many farmers in our region faced challenges because of outdated farming techniques and the lack of access to modern machinery, which often resulted in inefficient farming practices and high operational costs. Introducing zero tillage, planters, harvesters, and especially the laser land leveler, has been a game-changer. This farm implement bank has also popularized the use of advanced agricultural technologies among the farming community. The positive effects of these modern farm implements have been many, including reduced labor costs, improved crop yields, and more sustainable farming practices.

How has a project like CSISA and other partners supported farmers and the efforts of agri-entrepreneurs like you in the region?

The support from CSISA and its partners has helped enhance the capabilities of farmers and bolster the efforts of agri-entrepreneurs in the region. CSISA’s contribution, particularly through its project scientists and field technicians, has been pivotal in training farmers. This collaboration has led to a significant increase in awareness and adoption of advanced agricultural implements and practices, including zero tillage and land levelers, among the farming community.

The center has conducted extensive training programs for many farmers, thanks to the resources, knowledge, and technology facilitated by CSISA, the State Department of Agriculture, and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK). This partnership has enabled us to disseminate knowledge and tools to the farmers and drive the adoption of innovative farming techniques that lead to higher efficiency and reduced costs. The collaboration with CSISA and state partners has been a cornerstone in our mission to modernize agriculture in the region, making significant strides towards sustainable farming practices, and enhancing the livelihoods of the local farming community. Through these collective efforts, we have been able to empower farmers with the skills and technologies necessary to thrive in a competitive and evolving agricultural landscape.

Navneet Ranjan with Sarah Fernandes, CIMMYT global communications manager (2nd from left), during her visit to the Bhusari Cold Storage center with CSISA colleagues. (Photo: CIMMYT)

What do you hope for next for Bhusari or other endeavors in agri-business to support smallholder farmers?

Looking ahead, our vision for Bhusari and future agri-business endeavors deeply focuses on empowering smallholder farmers by enhancing their access to financial resources and tailored agricultural solutions. By addressing the financial barriers that often hinder farmers’ ability to invest in their operations, we aim to unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation in the agricultural sector. A key priority is to streamline the process so that these farmers can obtain credit lines and working capital more efficiently.

Additionally, recognizing farmers’ diverse needs and challenges in different regions, we are committed to making customized farm implements more readily available. These tailored tools are essential for increasing agricultural efficiency and productivity, as farming practices and conditions vary greatly across regions. To complement these efforts, we plan to expand our training programs and provide more customized knowledge to farmers.

Ultimately, the aim is to scale up this model and create several other replicable projects across Bihar and beyond. By demonstrating the success of these initiatives, we hope to inspire and facilitate similar transformations in other regions, fostering a more sustainable, efficient, and prosperous agricultural landscape for smallholder farmers.

Cover photo: Founder Navneet Ranjan (5th from right) and CIMMYT colleagues with beneficiary farmers at the Bhusari center in Begusarai, Bihar. (Photo: Nima Chodon/CIMMYT) 

Advancing appropriate-scale mechanization in the Global South

Written by Julian Bañuelos-Uribe on . Posted in News.

Smallholder farmers in Chimanimani, Zimbabwe use a multi-crop thresher for the faster processing of wheat. (Photo: CIMMYT)

To foster collaboration and knowledge sharing, CIMMYT hosted a 2-day workshop in September 2023 in Lusaka, Zambia, on appropriate mechanization for smallholder farmers in the Global South. This event was part of the Southern Africa Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative (AID-I) MasAgro Africa Rapid Delivery Hub funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Recognizing that equitable access to finance and credit are key enablers for mechanization, this platform strived to understand smallholder farmer needs and the identification of key financing models to facilitate widespread adoption.

With over 40 participants ranging from government representatives, development partners, and stakeholders from organizations such as USAID, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), and Hello Tractor, this regional event provided an opportunity for robust discussions and to align the course of action.

Unpacking mechanization in the Global South

Appropriate-scale mechanization is essential and a top policy priority to transform African agriculture. Evidence shows that nearly 70% of operations in sub-Saharan Africa are done manually. However, human labor is limited and is increasingly scarce and costly given the unfolding transformation of rural spaces in most places, necessitating agricultural mechanization. The cornerstone of this shift lies in integrating small, affordable machines tailored to the operations and needs of smallholder farmers, which must be accessible through market-based financial and business models.

A top policy priority in Zambia

The Permanent Secretary, Technical Services of the Zambian Ministry of Agriculture, Green Mbozi, officially opened the meeting. He lauded the meeting as timely and commendable as agriculture mechanization is a top policy priority for Zambia.

Green Mbozi, permanent secretary, opens the meeting. (Photo: CIMMYT)

“The government has embarked on a process to formulate a national mechanization strategy, which will serve as a blueprint on how to sustainably promote agricultural machinery and equipment across the value chains. The insights from this workshop would be helpful in feeding into the formulation of the strategy and help in identifying entry points to support sustainable agriculture mechanization,” said Mbozi.

Accelerating change through inclusive dialogues

The dialogue played a crucial role in bolstering support for sustainable agriculture mechanization while tackling challenges hindering active adoption. Mbozi highlighted the imminent launch of an agricultural mechanization strategy developed with technical support from FAO and CIMMYT through the Sustainable Intensification of Smallholder Farming Systems in Zambia (SIFAZ) project.

The mechanization strategy champions sustainable and efficient mechanization practices, strengthens the private sector’s role in mechanization, and provides training and financial support to small-scale farmers, women, and youth. Proposed initiatives include regional centers of excellence, a national mechanization association, and the use of information and communication technologies to promote mechanization.

Sieg Snapp, director of Sustainable Agrifood Systems, delivers a presentation on mechanization financing. (Photo: CIMMYT)

“It is important to develop the right bundle of mechanization services that meet the needs of farmers and are profitable for mechanization service providers,” said Director of Sustainable Agrifood Systems (SAS) at CIMMYT, Sieg Snapp. “Finding the right financing is needed to support multiple bundles of mechanization services, which provide profits throughout the year.”

Additionally, the SIFAZ project promotes local manufacturing, supporting quality assurance, conducting demand studies, and establishing an agricultural mechanization data bank to catalyze transformative progress.

Key insights from USAID and FAO

David Howlett, the Feed the Future coordinator at the USAID Mission in Zambia, shared with participants that, “USAID is working to address the effects of climate change through mechanization and other adaptation strategies.” Aligning with the central focus of the meeting, he further reiterated that mechanization will be key to building resilience by improving agricultural systems.

David Howlett, Feed the Future coordinator for the Zambia USAID mission, expresses commitment to investing in climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. (Photo: CIMMYT)

Offering insights drawn from country-level experiences on scale mechanization for smallholder farmers, Joseph Mpagalile from FAO said, “FAO has been helping countries develop national agricultural mechanization strategies, with 12 countries in Africa already revising or preparing new strategies for sustainable agricultural mechanization.”

Private sector engagement: lessons from Hello Tractor

Operating across 13 African countries, Hello Tractor has been leveraging digitalization to scale mechanization in Africa since its inception. Hello Tractor facilitates services to over 500,000 smallholder farmers through 3,000+ tractors and combine harvesters, while providing remote tracking of assets and preventing fraud and machine misuse for machinery owners. At the heart of the company are booking agents who connect farmers to solutions to increase productivity and income.

Call to action

As the discussions ended, key outcomes distilled highlighted a pressing need to sensitize farmers on the merits of mechanization and facilitating access through tailored financial resources. Special attention was also directed towards empowering women and youth through implementation of de-risking mechanisms and strategic marketing linkages.

Recognizing the critical absence of data, a compelling call for a funding pool to collect essential information in the ESA region became clear. In addition, it was emphasized that appropriate-scale mechanization should be driven by sustainable business and financing models. The journey towards mechanization is a collective effort, blending policy initiatives, private sector engagement, and research-driven strategies.

Afriseed: How improved legume seed can help transform Zambia’s agrifood systems

Written by Julian Bañuelos-Uribe on . Posted in Blogs.

Certified soyabean seed from Afriseed. (Photo: AFRI archives)

In Zambia, smallholder farmers obtain their seed from a variety of sources. Over 75 percent of farmers in Zambia have adopted certified maize seed and about 30 percent in southern Africa, overall. The private sector has been instrumental in creating demand for certified and timely delivery of seed to remote areas, and the Government of Zambia’s Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) has largely contributed to better accessibility to certified seed for farmers. In 2022–2023, of the three million registered smallholder farmers in Zambia, more than one million accessed certified seed through FISP.

Afriseed is a seed company in Zambia that has been gaining ground in local seed markets. It has emerged as a catalyst for helping smallholder farmers transition to new, high-yielding legume varieties. Afriseed provides solutions to help smallholders increase their agricultural productivity with improved seed varieties of cereals and legumes and assist them with technology transfer. The company aims to increase the food security and incomes of Zambia’s smallholder farming community, which accounts for 90 percent of agricultural output in the country. During the 2022–2023 farming season, a critical turning point was reached when Afriseed became a partner in the Southern Africa Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative (AID-I) Rapid Delivery Hub, or MasAgro Africa, a two-year project under CIMMYT, with the aim of scaling-up production of certified seed varieties of soybean and common bean.

Under the partnership, Afriseed promotes the cultivation of improved legume seed through a smallholder farmer seed multiplication approach. By engaging with practicing smallholder farmers and signing grower contracts, basic seeds are multiplied into certified seed for soybean and common bean. Certified seed is a known variety produced under strict seed certification standards to support varietal purity. In collaboration with the Seed Control and Certification Institute (SCCI), the country’s national seed authority, contracted farmers received training on climate-smart agricultural techniques and seed production guidelines. Through extension services to seed growers, smallholder farmers can adhere to the seed production guidelines set out in the National Seed Act to ensure the quality of certified seed produced.

Smallholder farmers hold improved, certified seed. (Photo: AFRI archives)

Afriseed has invested more than USD 335,000 toward supporting the production, aggregation, and processing of 317 t of certified climate-smart legume seeds—265 metric tonnes (MT) for soybean and 52 MT for common bean. Data have shown that the seeds were aggregated from 313 smallholder seed growers, 40 percent of whom were women, in Zambia’s Eastern Muchinga, Copperbelt and the Northern provinces. Seed aggregation improves access to quality seed varieties, increases crop yields and incomes, enhances integration into value chains, and creates market links for smallholder farmers.

Notable progress has been made with the contracted farmers, who have applied improved crop management practices and technologies on more than 600 ha of land to produce the seed. With this encouraging progress, Afriseed intends to scale up its last-mile seed distribution strategy to reach and directly help an estimated 35,000 underserved rural smallholder farming households with improved legume seeds in the 2023–2024 cropping season.

AID-I is one of the ways in which Feed the Future, the U.S. Government’s global food security and hunger initiative led by USAID, is taking immediate action to help cushion the blow of high fuel and fertilizer prices on farmers. One of the project’s initial actions is to strengthen local seed systems so that agribusinesses can reach smallholder farmers with a diversity of improved seeds varieties, including climate-resilient and more nutritious varieties for maize and legumes.

Delivering the best seeds to farmers in Zambia

Written by Julian Bañuelos-Uribe on . Posted in News.

To bring together farmers with seed distributors and other stakeholders, the Southern Africa Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative (AID-I) Rapid Delivery Hub, or MasAgro Africa, held a seed fair with the theme ‘Promoting Access to Drought Tolerant Seed and Appropriate Scale Technologies,’ in Zambia’s Chongwe district. The objectives of the fair were to create a platform for farmers and input suppliers to engage before the onset of the planting season. Over 1,200 farmers attended the seed fair.

Zambian government officials and CIMMYT staff tour fair stands. (Photo: Nancy Malama/CIMMYT)

“The seed fair plays a critical role in linking farmers to seed companies and exposes them to appropriate technologies. The links created with agro-dealers and other suppliers ensure farmers gain access to sufficient volumes of appropriate multiple stress tolerant maize hybrids, legume seed and agricultural inputs locally. Access to drought tolerant seed and technology in the times of climate change is timely and critical to today’s farmers. This fair will help our farmers acquire inputs at their doorsteps, promoting food security,” said Kasuba, the district agriculture officer.

AID-I is also using these fairs to provide information on agronomic practices such as conservation agriculture, climate-smart agriculture and small mechanization options to support smallholders not only to learn but also enjoy the events through participation in fun quizzes. Farmers purchase seed and other inputs when they redeem vouchers provided by participating companies who develop the questions for farmers.

A farmer who redeemed a voucher said, “I came from Nyimba, because I heard that there is a seed fair here. What I found was very interesting, and I learned a lot. I saw a lot of seeds from different companies. I have also managed to win this pesticide by answering a question, and I am very happy about this project.”

Farmer redeems a voucher for beneficial pesticides. (Photo: Christabel Chabwela/CIMMYT)

These add-ons to the seed fair ensure farmers learn about climate-smart practices and how they can mitigate climate change effects and crop damage caused by pests by using drought and pest resistant varieties. Pests such as fall armyworm (FAW) are a major threat to smallholder farmers and their crops, as these can destroy crops and lead to a significant decrease in yields and income for the farmer.

Some of the outcomes and benefits for the private sector, and farmers alike include farmers to access different seed hybrids at one location, reduced costs of transportation for farmers who often travel long distances to get inputs. Zamseed, an AID-I partner, was able to promote 600 packs of their ZMS 451-medium and ZMS 721-late maturity seeds. SeedCo, another AID-I partner was able to support farmers with 500 seed packs of their medium maturity SC 303-ultra early, SC 555-early and 657-medium maturity maize seed varieties to farmers. Seed input suppliers noted that maize seed packed in smaller bags weighing 10 kgs and of medium maturity variety seed were the most sought-after and have now influenced how they can reach much larger numbers of smallholder farmers through this observation on improved packaging and demand.

In addition to Zamseed and SeedCo, AID-I partners who participated in the seed fair include the Ministry of Agriculture, CRS, Afriseed, Synergy, Animive Enterprises, Bayer, Amiran, Syngenta, Omnia Fertilizer, and Corteva.

Community Business Facilitator: providing a service to farmers while increasing community access to nutritious food

Written by Julian Bañuelos-Uribe on . Posted in Features.

Bhumi Shara Khadka is a 35-year-old community business facilitator who has made significant strides in agriculture and community development. Her journey began after completing training in sales skill development and technical capacity building for community business facilitators (CBF) organized by the Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia (CSISA) in June 2022 and April 2023, respectively. This training opened up new opportunities, and she soon secured a job as a CBF. However, her ambitions didn’t stop there.

In February 2022, the Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia (CSISA) recognized her potential and recommended her for a role as a community business facilitator with Laxmi Agrovet, a local agribusiness. To prepare for her new position, Ms. Khadka underwent additional training in various areas, including running sales meetings, farm mechanization, post-harvest handling and the fundamentals of sales and marketing. With these tools in hand, she set out to make a difference in the lives of farmers and the broader community.

To date, Khadka has conducted 97 sales meetings with farmer groups where she explains improved production methods, plant protection, post-harvest handling and how to market agriculture products effectively. She also demonstrates and sells Laxmi Agrovet agri-inputs such as seeds, fertilizer and tools. She gets a 20% commission on sales, bringing her an average net monthly income of NPR3,375 (US$26). Her role as community business facilitator also involves linking farmers with the local government agriculture program. As a result of her efforts, three farmers have each acquired a mini power tiller at a 50% subsidy.

Bhumi Shara Khadka at her vegetable farm in Surkhet district, Nepal. (Photo: Nabin Maharjan/CIMMYT)

Inspired by Khadka’s example, Chitra Bahadur Rokaya, acting director of the Agricultural Regional Directorate in Surkhet, Nepal, has expressed his desire to visit farmers and learn more about the activities of community business facilitators like Khadka during the technical capacity-building training to CBF in April 2023. Rokaya has expressed gratitude to trainees who attended the IPM training organized by CSISA and would visit the field sites of the trainees, if possible.

Khadka has also used her knowledge as a business facilitator and IPM trainee to establish her commercial vegetable farm, which, with her investment and CSISA’s technical support, now occupies five ropani (0.01 hectares). Her husband helps out and Bhumi sells the produce at local markets in Melkuna and Badichour, Surkhet, with traders often coming to the farm to buy from her directly. Last year, she earned NPR227,000 (US$1,733) of which her net income was NPR63,500 (US$485). Since starting the farm, the family’s food habits and those of her neighbors have changed for the better. Last year, the family kept a quarter of the vegetables she produced for their consumption, and she gave about 10% to neighbors.

Last year, under Khadka’s facilitation, 48 farmers cultivated vegetables on an average of 0.02 hectares each, each achieving an average net profit of NPR63,500 (US$485). Khadka also owns a power tiller, which she rents out for others to use, earning NPR35,000 (US$267) last year from this service provision activity.

In addition to her business and professional success, Khadka completed high school in 2014, underlining the significance of her accomplishments. Khadka’s remarkable journey is an inspiring agriculture success story, showcasing the transformative power of women empowerment in rural communities. Her dedication, knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit have improved farmers’ lives and elevated the entire community’s access to nutritious food. Her unwavering commitment to her work has brought her well-deserved recognition, and she is a beacon of hope for others in similar fields of endeavor.

Hard work pays off

Written by Julian Bañuelos-Uribe on . Posted in Features.

Nepal is an agricultural country, where the sector provides the major source of income for half the population. Despite this, the sad reality is that the country is not able to produce enough crops to meet its needs, and major grains like rice, maize, and cereals are mostly imported.

One factor influencing this is an aging population of farmers, alongside decreasing interest in agriculture among the country’s youth. Many young people do not see agriculture as a viable option for employment, opting instead for work opportunities outside the country. However, there are still some youth who see agriculture as a profitable business, like Pradeep Morya.

“It is better to work hard in your home country rather than going abroad and working tirelessly every minute and hour,” says Morya, a 24-year-old farmer from Banke, Nepal, who finds happiness in living close to his family and helping to support national food security. “I love being in the field,” he explains. “I have cultivated spring maize on one hectare. My day-to-day business is to provide care to the spring maize along with pumpkins and beans that I have added for additional income on a small plot of land.”

Morya grows spring maize, pumpkin, and beans (Photo: CIMMYT)

Working alongside his eldest brother, Morya has cultivated 30 kattha of land (equivalent to 0.36 hectares) using the spring maize varieties Pioneer 1899 and DK 9108. His brother, a member of Mahatarkari cooperative in Duduwa, western Nepal, has been providing him with the knowledge and expertise needed for maize cultivation.

Mahatarkari is one among 50 cooperatives working in partnership with the Nepal Seed and Fertilizer project (NSAF), which is implemented by CIMMYT. NSAF works with the cooperatives to provide technical knowledge and training to farmers, to hone their potential and support them in the adoption of modern technologies which can improve their livelihoods. After participating in programs organized by NSAF, Morya makes sure that the suggestions he receives — on soil preparation, weed management, harvesting, and more — are implemented in his field.

Returning to the family farm

A few years back, the situation was different. Like many youths in the country, Morya also went abroad to try his luck on the international job market. He worked hard for two years in Malaysia but was forced to return to Nepal during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I had imagined my shining future abroad. However, when I reached there, the reality was different,” recalls Morya. “I returned to my own country just before the lockdown in April 2021 with some small savings. Upon my arrival in Nepal, I was clueless about my future. I dropped my education after grade five. With no educational qualifications and skills in hand, it was difficult to get a decent job.”

Agriculture has provided Morya with a sustainable source of income in his home country. (Photo: CIMMYT)

Since the country was in lockdown, Morya chose to stay at home and support his family on the farm. It was here that his eldest brother guided him into farming, and Morya soon learned the knowledge needed to run the farm and began earning money from it. This attracted him towards farming as a longer-term career option, and he has now discovered a prosperous future in agriculture.

“Agriculture needs continuous effort,” he says. “With the support of technology, it is easy and efficient to work. I work every day so that I can reap crops on a large scale to make a profit. I manage weeds, irrigation, and control pests.”

“I also have livestock. I get adequate fodder for my cows and buffalo from weeds and from the spring maize. I sell milk in the market. In addition to this, I also make sure to produce off-season vegetables so that I receive a decent price for additional income.” With the support of his family, Morya has recently purchased an e-rickshaw, which he uses to transport and sell his produce.

To further support his endeavors, Morya has also been participating in Nepal’s Maize Commercialization Network and using the Geo Krishi mobile app to learn about current market prices. “Before knowing about the commercialization of crops, it was hard to receive good amounts from buyers,” he explains. “Now, I make a call to the local retailers and buyers to learn the best value of my grain. Sometimes I also explore the market. Then, I analyze the rate and sell my maize.” He uses a similar system for his off-season vegetables, selling either in the local market or directly to consumers for a premium price. “I make a saving of around 1500 Nepalese rupees (approximately US$ 11) per day,” he says.

A prosperous life

With the profits from his agricultural business, Morya has been able to fulfill his dream of purchasing a bike, as well as contributing to the construction of a new eight-room house, where his family is now living comfortably. “I love to roam on my bike with my friends in the evening. I also take my mother for a ride,” says Morya with a bright smile. “Now, I have a dream to live a prosperous life with my family.”

Morya fulfilled his dream of buying a bike. (Photo: CIMMYT)

Thanks to the support provided by the NSAF project with generous funding from USAID, young people like Morya can pursue a better life for themselves and their families. Agricultural training programs have not only helped young people fulfill their basic needs, but also to achieve their dreams. It is hoped that ongoing efforts to empower farmers through science and innovation will continue helping young farmers like Morya break the chain of unemployment, for both their own benefit and that of Nepal.

Agricultural Transformation in Africa

Written by Julian Bañuelos-Uribe on . Posted in News.

Reiterating the commitment to leading agriculture innovation across Africa, Bram Govaerts, director general of the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), took part in the 8th Africa Agribusiness and Science Week (AASW8), June 5-8, 2023, in Durban, South Africa.

Partners discuss how to generate greater impact for farmers through regional partnerships between One CGIAR and African stakeholders (Photo: Liesbet Vannyvel/CIMMYT)

The theme of the AASW8 was linking science, innovation, and agribusiness for resilient food systems.

CGIAR System Board Chair Lindiwe Sibanda called for increased research and innovation to achieve an impact at scale and benefit African farmers at the opening ceremony.

Govaerts moderated a partner panel discussion regarding opportunities to strengthen the collaboration between One CGIAR and African research stakeholders.

Organizations represented on the panel included leaders from Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation, Total Landcare, Lupiya, Chitetezo Farmer Federation, and Green Sahel.

The African Development Bank, the African Union Commission, the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa, and CGIAR also launched the Action Plan for the Abidjan II Communiqué that aims to build Africa’s resilience to future shocks by bolstering agricultural research and innovation systems to give farmers access to the science and technologies that they need to thrive.

“African countries must systematically review what is needed for the transformation of agrifood systems taking into consideration the present and future needs, and significantly increase investment in agricultural research and development,” said Govaerts.

Local and regional agribusiness is an essential industry playing a significant role in Africa’s prospects for economic growth and ensuring food security of its citizens. Still, challenges include regional harmonization of crop variety releases, surveillance of transboundary pests, and the growing threats of climate change.

“CIMMYT is dedicated to collaborating with local stakeholders to facilitate policies at the national, regional, and continental levels to promote proactive and eco-friendly management of transboundary plant health threats,” said Govaerts.