Soils are the foundation of all life on Earth. They sustain biodiversity, provide nutrients, regulate water cycles, and are central to food security. Recognizing their critical importance, AGRA, in partnership with the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) and the Ministry of Agriculture, hosted Mali’s first-ever event specifically dedicated to soils, in celebration of World Soil Day. This landmark initiative focused on preserving the health of arid and semi-arid soils, with the theme: “Nourish the Earth, Secure the Future.”
A Collaborative Effort for Soil Health
The event, supported through the Soil Values Program, highlighted the increasing degradation of soils, with an alarming 65% of land in the Sahel already affected. It underscored the urgency of collaborative and innovative solutions to restore soil health, safeguard agricultural productivity, and combat food insecurity.
The forum, chaired by Mali’s Minister of Agriculture, brought together policymakers, technical experts, development partners, and private sector stakeholders. Discussions were enriched by expert panels and roundtable exchanges, offering a comprehensive platform to address soil health and its implications for agricultural transformation.
Key Recommendations for Action
The panels and discussions produced actionable recommendations to guide Mali’s soil health initiatives, including:
Establishing a platform for dialogue among soil experts and affiliated stakeholders to facilitate knowledge exchange.
Creating synergies of action among stakeholders to collaboratively restore degraded lands.
Updating Mali’s soil mapping to provide accurate data for decision-making and land management.
Developing targeted policies to address land tenure, soil health, and the sustainable use of non-timber forest products.
Investing in action research on soils to promote sustainable land management practices.
A Call to Action for Sustainable Soil Management
In his address, the Minister of Agriculture emphasized that sustainable soil management is not only an environmental necessity but also a socio-economic and humanitarian imperative. The forum provided an opportunity to reflect on the role of soils in achieving Mali’s food security and agricultural sustainability goals, as outlined in the Nairobi Declaration on Fertilizers and Soil Health in Africa.
A Commitment to the Future
This inaugural event was more than a celebration—it was a call to action. AGRA and IFDC reaffirmed their commitment to fostering innovation, capacity-building, and partnerships that prioritize soil health. By aligning national strategies with regional and international initiatives, Mali is taking decisive steps toward transforming its agricultural systems for resilience and sustainability.
World Soil Day 2024 was a significant milestone, marking the beginning of a dedicated national focus on soil health in Mali. Together, let us preserve and regenerate our soils, ensuring they continue to nourish our present and future generations.
“Our vision is to make farming simple, efficient, and accessible for everyone. We believe agriculture is the gateway to a better future for Africa.”
These words, often repeated by Abrhame Endrias, the 38-year-old Founder and Managing Director of Green Agro Solutions (GAS), are more than an ambition—they are a commitment to revolutionizing farming in Ethiopia. With a background in Business Management from Addis Ababa University, Abrhame transformed from a teacher into a trailblazing entrepreneur driven by a desire to empower smallholder farmers in Ethiopia.
Growing up, Abraham’s father, an agricultural professional, often brought home reports and research papers, sharing insights about Ethiopia’s farming challenges.
“One of the biggest issues farmers face is a lack of timely and accurate information,” his father would explain. These early conversations planted the seeds of Abrhame’s lifelong mission to transform agriculture. After graduating, Abraham began his career as a teacher. However, financial constraints and his entrepreneurial ambition led him to start a small electronics business. This early venture laid the foundation for his eventual leap into agriculture-focused entrepreneurship.
Through his groundbreaking platform, Lersha—meaning “for farming” in Amharic—Abrhame is bridging the gap between tradition and technology, empowering communities and fostering resilience.
Abrhame Endrias, Founder and Managing Director of Green Agro Solutions (GAS)
From Humble Beginnings to Bold Leadership
Abrhame Endrias’ path to entrepreneurship was filled with challenges. He tried his hand at the electronics trade, navigating unpredictable markets and scarce resources. The setbacks only strengthened his resolve to succeed.
In 2014, with a vision to create a lasting impact, Abrhame made a daring choice: he mortgaged his family home to secure a loan. “It was the hardest decision of my life, but I knew I had to risk everything to achieve my dreams,” he says.
That leaps of faith led to Green Agro Solutions (GAS) and, in 2018, the launch of Lersha, a platform revolutionizing agriculture. Today, Lersha supports over 241,000 farmers across Ethiopia with tools, resources, and market access.
“The journey was tough, ” Abrhame recalls, “but I believed in the transformative power of agriculture. For me, it is more than just a business—it is a mission to make farming accessible and profitable for all.”
Lersha employs an innovative “phygital” model, combining digital tools with personalized support to deliver practical solutions to farmers. Its core services include:
Mechanization: Providing modern equipment for efficient land preparation and harvesting.
Market Linkages: Connecting farmers directly to buyers with transparent pricing.
Climate-Smart Advisories: Offering real-time updates to manage unpredictable weather.
Financial Inclusion: Enabling access to loans and building financial literacy.
Lersha Call center to facilitate transactions with farmers
Unlocking Potential: Impact of Lersha
By 2023, Lersha had expanded to six Ethiopian regions, including Amhara, Oromia, and Sidama, and initiated pilot projects in Kenya. The platform processed 12,000 mechanization requests and sent 2 million SMS advisories in local languages—an achievement that underscores its scalability and impact.
But Lersha’s success is best reflected in personal stories from Ethiopia:
Meseret, a single mother in the Oromia region, doubled her wheat yield using Lersha’s mechanization services. “Lersha gave me the tools to succeed. Now, I harvest with confidence,” she says.
Dereje, a young farmer in the Tigray region, transitioned from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture with Lersha’s financial tools. “This platform is not just technology; it’s empowerment,” he adds.
These stories highlight how innovative tools can unlock potential and turn barriers into opportunities.
Strategic Collaboration with AGRA
At the AGRA Ethiopia joint results review (JRR) Meeting in Adama, stakeholders—including the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange (ECX)—discussed strategies to align investments with grassroots realities. A visit to the Dina Food Complex provided a firsthand look at how establishing linkages with processors plays a role in transforming agriculture. Processing 194 metric tons daily of wheat, maize, and teff, Dina offers a blueprint for integrating smallholder farmers into formal markets. “Dina exemplifies how anchor firms can drive agricultural transformation,” Abrhame observed.
AGRA has been instrumental in the success of Lersha, addressing critical challenges like pre and post-harvesting system development, technology introduction, and access to market link with farmers with producers anchor firms (off-takers). By integrating post-harvest technologies, the platform ensures farmers maximize the value of their produce while minimizing waste. AGRA’s collaboration extends to anchor firms like Dina, connecting them to financial resources and creating a more resilient ecosystem.
At the JRR meeting noted above, “System-level investments must be flexible to learn from grassroots realities and experiences, and landscape level investments in support of some of the activities of partners such as GAS should also be carefully packaged to inform deliberations at the systems level” said Dr. Yihenew Zewdie, AGRA Ethiopia Country Director. “This is about more than tools— dignity, resilience, and ensuring no farmer are neglacted.”
Scaling for a Transformational Future
Abraham elucidates, “Ethiopia is home to 16 million smallholder farming households, underscoring the immense demand for platforms like Lersha.” Despite its achievements, the platform faces challenges, such as limited mechanization providers and fluctuating market demands. However, having already reached 241,000 users, Lersha demonstrates the potential for creating synergy with the government, private sector, international research institutions, academia, and multinational organizations. These partnerships are crucial for scaling its impact, not only in Ethiopia but across other African nations.
Lersha has ambitious plans for the future. By 2027, the company aims to support 1 million active users, extend its reach, and incorporate AI-powered precision farming tools into its offerings. For Abrhame, this mission is deeply personal: “We are not just growing crops—we are cultivating hope, resilience, and prosperity for Ethiopia and beyond.
A Blueprint for Agricultural Transformation of Africa
The story of Abraham Endrias and Lersha exemplifies how innovation, resilience, and collaboration can transform agriculture. It demonstrates how multi-stakeholder partnerships—anchored by nationally owned frameworks and programmatic responses transform Ethiopia’s agricultural future. Dr Yihenew Zewdie concluded at the Adama meeting, “Together, we hold the unique responsibility to ensure a food-secure future for Ethiopia. Let us chart a path toward greater resilience and impact.”
For farmers like Meseret and Dereje, Lersha is more than just a platform—it is a pathway to transformation. Supporting leaders like transformative platforms like Lersha is more than an investment—it is a leap toward a resilient, inclusive, and food-secure Africa.
Mogadishu, Somalia, 4th December 2024… An AGRA led delegation just concluded an inaugural 3-day mission to Somalia, underscoring the commitment to revitalizing the country’s agri-food sector. The mission culminated with a key meeting with Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Salah Ahmed Jama, accompanied by the Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, Hon. Mohamed Maareeye. This high-level engagement focused on mobilizing investment for the implementation of Somalia’s National Transformation Plan (NTP, 2025-2029), addressing systemic issues affecting agriculture sector (seed system, farmer advisory services, resilience, market and trade, finance, policy and institutional capacity), and fostering economic growth.
During the courtesy meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Jama emphasized the critical need for AGRA’s support in mobilizing investments to drive the NTP forward. The government’s vision encompasses not only addressing the structural challenges within Somalia’s agri-food sector but also leveraging agriculture—which constitutes 71% of the GDP—to spur economic growth and create employment opportunities for the youth, who make up 75% of the population.
The AGRA delegation led by the Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Prof Jean Jacques M. Muhinda laid the groundwork for a robust collaboration roadmap. As an entry point, both parties agreed to jointly develop a flagship program aligned with Somalia’s NTP priorities, aimed at attracting investment from both public and private sectors.
Prof Muhinda said, “The NTP program will serve as a cornerstone for Somalia’s agricultural transformation, ensuring sustainability and resilience. In collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, we identified several key areas for partnership. Such as Strengthening Seed Systems, Sector Coordination Mechanisms, Agricultural Data Systems, Leadership Cultivation and National Agriculture Investment Plan.”
AGRA’s will walk with the Government of Somalia for them to realize their vision for a vibrant and sustainable agri-food sector. “We shall leverage AGRA’s expertise and resources, to support Somalia’s journey towards economic recovery and food security. This mission marks a significant step in reshaping the narrative around Somalia’s economic recovery, highlighting the potential for growth and resilience within the agri-food sector,” said Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, Hon. Mohamed Maareeye.
With a shared commitment to addressing systemic issues and promoting sustainable growth, AGRA and the Government of Somalia are poised to drive transformative change, benefiting millions of Somalis and contributing to the nation and region’s long-term prosperity.
“It isn’t just about efficiency. It’s about giving voice to those who feed our nations,” declared Fatma Fernandes, the founder of Quincewood, as she began her presentation at the Seed Stakeholders Learning Event in Kampala.
In 2021, we profiled Quincewood, a trailblazing AgTech company from Tanzania, driven by a simple yet transformative mission: to restore dignity to farming and empower those who feed our nations. At the time, the company had just begun to redefine agricultural systems through it’s innovative platforms. Three years later, the Quincewood story has fast evolved into a beacon of growth and resilience, with its roots firmly planted in its founding idea: farmers deserve better than uncertainty – and that trust, dignity, and connection must be at the heart of every solution.
The Problem: An Agricultural Crisis of Trust
Tanzania’s farmers are the backbone of the nation, feeding millions despite facing daily challenges. These challenges often aren’t due to a lack of effort or skill but stem from an absence of trust, trust in seeds, data, insurance, and markets. In Tanzania, more and more land is being cultivated for agriculture to meet increasing food demands from a rapidly expanding population. Two-thirds of Tanzania’s population work in agriculture making it a mainstay of the economy, with small scale farmers dominating food production. Due to the high demand for seeds and pesticides, challenges arise in the purchase of seeds with some farmers unfortunately buying counterfeit or recycled seeds which they are made to believe are the potentially higher-yielding hybrid seeds.
Counterfeit seeds, unpredictable weather, and unreliable markets create uncertainty; and uncertainty is costly: crops fail, incomes dwindle, and entire communities suffer. For Fatma and her team, solving these problems meant addressing the root cause, restoring trust.
The Solution: Bridging Technology and Trust
The eHakiki Verification System has been a central solution to the gaps they identified—a revolutionary tool that enables farmers to verify the authenticity of their seeds through a simple mobile interaction. Quincewood’s eHakiki technology is the first government-backed verification platform to be implemented nationwide and adopted by the Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute (TOSCI). The e-verification system supplements the government’s in-person inspections to reduce fraud, improve farm productivity, increase farmer income, and strengthen trust in and sustainability of agro-input suppliers.
Quincewood’s flagship innovation, the eHakiki Verification System, provides farmers with confidence in the authenticity of seeds through a simple, user-friendly process. When farmers purchase seeds, each package comes with a unique QR code. Beneath a scratch-off foil, a voucher ID is hidden. Farmers can use their mobile phones to input this ID through the USSD code 14852#. Within moments, the system verifies whether the seeds are authentic, offering farmers immediate confirmation and ensuring they plant with confidence.
Fatma credits grants from AGRA with the support of Mastercard Foundation complemented by Quincewood’s own investment as having been critical in demonstrating the viability of the e-verification system, now five years in.
The Impact: Numbers That Speak Volumes
Quincewood has grown incredibly, reaching over 450,000 farmers who now verify their seeds through eHakiki. “These aren’t just numbers, they represent families planting with confidence, transforming their farms into sustainable enterprises” said Fatma Fernandes. Through the Wakala Digital Platform, Quincewood’s reach has expanded to include live dashboards and real-time analytics, enabling stakeholders to monitor the registration and performance of agro-dealers, SMEs, VBAs, and farmers. This integration has led to:
Enhanced traceability of inputs, ensuring accountability from seed companies to farmers.
Real-time decision-making for stakeholders using performance metrics and geographic data.
Reduced counterfeit seeds in the market, boosting farmer trust and crop yields.
Quincewood’s Digital Extension Services now provide targeted advice on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), weather forecasts, pest alerts, and financial literacy. Farmers no longer navigate these challenges alone, they have a trusted partner guiding them through each season.
Quincewood’s collaboration with TOSCI (Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute) demonstrates how partnerships can drive systemic change. Together, they’ve reduced counterfeit seeds, improved traceability, and cut costs for seed companies. By leveraging digital tools, they’re also advancing Tanzania’s progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
For Fatma, the journey isn’t over. “Real innovation isn’t about disruption; it’s about connection,” she emphasizes. Quincewood’s focus on sustainability, youth empowerment, and gender equality ensures that its impact will endure. By mentoring the next generation, integrating STEM education into agriculture, and building digital bridges between tradition and innovation, Quincewood is cultivating not just crops but a new vision for African agriculture, one rooted in trust, dignity, and boundless possibility.
As Fatma concluded in Kampala: “When young people see agriculture through the lens of technology, they don’t just see farms; they see frontiers.”
Can the African Agribusiness Youth Strategy (AAYS) become the blueprint for meaningful youth inclusion in agribusiness in East Africa? The answer is a resounding yes!
The Africa Union Commission (AUC) in collaboration with AGRA and the East African Community organised the AAYS East African Regional Dialogue in Kampala, Uganda in mid-November. The forum convened young agripreneurs, government representatives, and development partners to align on a shared vision of positioning youth at the centre of agricultural development across the African continent.
70 Percent of Sub-Saharan Africa’s population is under 30, providing a unique chance to tap into the region’s youth and harness its energy. However, with 15 million youth in Africa joining the job market every year and only 3 million jobs available, the challenges are unavoidable.
The Director of Agriculture and Rural Development at the AUC, Dr Godfrey Bahiigwa, was among the keynote speakers who emphasised the youth’s potential in agricultural development.
“Agenda 2063 is the AU’s strategic framework for socio-economic transformation across Africa. Aspiration 6 emphasises an ‘Africa whose development is people-driven, relying on the potential of African people, especially its women and youth,’” he noted.
The dialogue also highlighted the AUC’s 1 Million Next Level Initiative, which aims to provide opportunities for 300 million African youth by 2030 across five key pillars: Education, Employment, Entrepreneurship, Engagement, and Health & Wellbeing. This initiative complements the AAYS by ensuring that youth not only find their place in agribusiness but are empowered to lead and innovate within the sector.
One constant discovery throughout the discussion was youth awareness—or lack thereof—of frameworks such as CAADP (Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program). CAADP was created to foster agricultural sector investments in African countries with the goal of promoting agricultural growth, food security, and poverty reduction. It provides a framework for governments to design policies and strategies that will support long-term agricultural development. Many young people in the region are unaware of how these frameworks influence the opportunities available in agribusiness. This knowledge gap must be closed if youth are to properly participate and benefit from measures such as the AAYS.
The AAYS offers governments a practical framework for developing youth-friendly policies while tackling structural constraints such as access to land, money, and markets. For the youth, it provides a pathway to becoming active participants in agribusiness and having a voice in defining their future. The strategy’s use of clear indicators also assures alignment with CAADP targets, giving a transparent system for tracking progress and accountability.
East Africa has significantly fertile lands and well-developed agricultural markets, which provide the ground for the effective deployment of the AAYS. Currently, agriculture is still the most dominant sector in East Africa, contributing 30 % of the GDP and providing employment to 65% of the population, hence making it the most appropriate sector for youthful innovation.
Through this dialogue, the participating regions demonstrated their support for diversity, integration, and implementation. The strategies developed in Kampala will be useful for guaranteeing that East Africa’s performance goes beyond CAADP benchmarks.
Seed systems are the cornerstone of agricultural transformation and a critical driver of food security, economic development, and climate resilience in Africa. However, despite the immense potential, the continent’s seed sector remains underdeveloped, which has limited productivity and threatened efforts to improve food security. To address the challenge, the Center of Excellence for Seed Systems in Africa (CESSA) hosted at the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) held a Seed Industry Stakeholders Learning Event in Kampala, Uganda from 24th to 29th November 2024.
The event, themed: “Cultivating Knowledge: Advancing Seed Systems Through Collaboration and Innovation,” brought together stakeholders from the seed sector in 12 African countries to share best practices and develop collaborations to address the challenges bedeviling the seed sector.
Speaking at the opening Session of the learning event, Mr. Jonathan Said, Vice President, Center for Technical Expertise, AGRA, highlighted the importance of collaborations in addressing challenges in the seed sector in Africa. “True coordination comes from working together to solve specific problems, not just within government or the private sector, but by bridging gaps across research, policy, and industry,” Mr. Said stated. “The collaboration needed in the seed sector is about understanding the challenges faced by our colleagues in other domains and forming a unified effort to strengthen the entire system,” he emphasized.
AGRA, through CESSA, is working with African governments to enhance seed systems, drive agricultural transformation and improve livelihoods. Some of the interventions include training 653 breeders, supporting the establishment of 110 small and medium-sized seed companies, advocating policy reforms, and developing digital tools for better seed quality control.
Dr. George Bigirwa, the Director, CESSA, highlighted AGRA’s work in advocating policy reforms to support the growth and development of seed systems in Africa. “AGRA’s policy initiatives focus on liberalizing production of early generation seeds that enable both public and private entities to meet the growing demand for diverse and adaptable seed varieties,” Dr. Bigirwa said.
AGRA is working with regulatory agencies to support the development of robust seed quality standards to ensure farmers get access to high-quality seeds. This has encouraged private sector investment and increased the release of numerous climate-smart and resilient varieties which has contributed to increased crop yields and improved farmer incomes.
AGRA has developed the Seed System Assessment Tool (SeedSAT), an innovative approach that provides a structured approach for governments and other stakeholders to systematically identify gaps and weaknesses in national seed systems across various thematic areas. The SeedSAT gives a framework for structured assessment, thereby facilitating data-driven decisions and targeted interventions to strengthen seed production, distribution, and adoption.
“Through the insights gained from SeedSAT, governments and organizations can identify priority areas for investment and allocate resources more effectively to address critical challenges in seed systems,” Dr. Bigirwa said.
The tool has so far been used in close to 22 countries to address the challenges in the seed sector. For instance, data and insights from SeedSAT have been used to develop Seed Investment Plans for countries like Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Malawi, Ghana, and Nigeria, to improve seed systems with the approval of the respective ministries of agriculture.
AGRA also tracks progress using the Seed System Performance Index (SSPI), which evaluates national seed systems against specific indicators, providing a quick assessment of how countries are performing in terms of seed system development. The Index provides a standardized measure to assess the effectiveness of seed systems in different countries for comparison and benchmarking against best practices.
“We use insights from the SSPI to focus our efforts on countries with low scores to implement strategies that will drive improvements in seed quality and availability.” Dr. Bigirwa said.
In a keynote address, Dr. Claid Mujaju, the Director, Research and Specialists Services, Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Zimbabwe, discussed the benefits of the regional variety release and registration systems, in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). He emphasized the need for a simple, cost-effective system that aligns with regional initiatives and supports farmer access to the best varieties. He noted that regional seed systems should be designed to enhance seed security through streamlined processes, reduced costs, and improved integration between national and regional variety catalogues to empower farmers and promote agricultural resilience in the region.
The SADC Harmonized Seed Regulatory System includes a regional variety catalogue that facilitates cross-border access to crop varietal choices. For instance, countries like Angola, Eswatini, and Mozambique have benefited from the availability of varieties through regional variety catalogues. “The system promotes the availability of crop varietal choices which leads to a more diverse and resilient seed system across the region,” Dr. Mujaju said.
The Seed Industry Stakeholders Learning Event highlighted the importance of knowledge sharing and collaboration in improving seed systems in Africa. AGRA’s continued efforts in seed system development are vital for enhancing food security, increasing farmer incomes, and strengthening resilience to climate change on the continent.
By Boaz Keizire, Head of Policy, AGRA and Dr. John Ulimwengu, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI.
Africa stands at a crucial moment in its agrifood system history. With the Kampala Declaration 2025 drawing closer, nations on the continent are urged to reimagine and create resilient, inclusive, and sustainable agri-food systems. This journey is not about isolated successes but a collective shift toward transformative solutions that address food security, climate resilience, and economic growth.
To achieve this transformation, Africa must adopt strategies that build on existing successes while fostering innovation and collaboration.
One such pathway lies in expanding digital revolution into agrifood system across the continent. Digital tools are revolutionising farming practices, offering smallholder farmers access to real-time data, financial services, and market linkages.
In Ghana, for instance, mobile platforms are enabling farmers to access critical weather updates, crop health information, and market prices, bridging longstanding information gaps. These innovations, made possible through public-private partnerships, are increasing yields and reducing risks such as climate and market related, providing a scalable model for other nations.
Promoting climate-resilient practices is equally essential, as climate change poses a significant threat to agricultural productivity. Rwanda’s focus on climate-smart agriculture highlights how countries can integrate resilience into their food systems. Conservation tillage, the adoption of drought-resistant crops, and community-based irrigation have transformed productivity in vulnerable regions. These practices demonstrate the dual benefits of environmental conservation and economic stability, offering a blueprint for addressing climate challenges across the continent.
Another critical strategy involves fostering public-private partnerships (PPPs) to address infrastructure gaps. In Tanzania and Zambia, collaborative efforts have led to the development of essential storage facilities and irrigation systems, reducing post-harvest losses and boosting production. These examples underscore the transformative potential of PPPs in overcoming logistical barriers and driving long-term agricultural growth.
Finally, empowering women and youth is central to building inclusive and innovative agri-food systems. Kenya provides a powerful example of how this can be achieved. Through vocational training programs, young people are acquiring skills in agri-tech and agro-processing, injecting fresh ideas into the sector while addressing unemployment. Simultaneously, initiatives to enhance women’s roles in decision-making and resource allocation are fostering greater inclusivity and resilience at both household and community levels.
Collaboration for a Food Secure Continent
Achieving the Kampala Declaration’s vision will require continent-wide collaboration:
Knowledge Sharing: Platforms for sharing best practices, such as Ghana’s use of digital tools to connect farmers with markets and Rwanda’s innovative, climate-smart farming techniques, can accelerate learning and capacity-building. These initiatives provide communities with accessible, scalable solutions to foster agricultural growth and resilience.
Harmonised Policies: Leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will ease cross-border trade, reduce dependency on imports, and strengthen local markets.
Sustainable Infrastructure: Investments in renewable energy, rural roads, and cold storage will minimise food loss, improve access to markets, and enhance resilience.
By uniting under shared strategies and building on proven successes, African nations can accelerate progress toward the goals of the Kampala Declaration.
The AGRA Gender Consortium project, a 36-month initiative, is making remarkable strides in enhancing resilience and promoting gender-inclusive rural economies for increased productivity, livelihoods, and food security. This transformative project, spearheaded by Value Seeds Limited (VSL), Palm Valley Nigeria Limited (PVNL), and Legal Awareness for Nigerian Women (LANW), is dedicated to supporting 50,000 smallholder women and youths in Kaduna and Niger States.
One of the standout aspects of this project is its commitment to social inclusion, particularly for People Living with Disabilities (PLWD). In the course of implementing the project’s objectives, several PLWD were observed facing significant mobility challenges, often crawling or being carried by relatives to meeting venues.
Recognizing the importance of inclusivity, AGRA and PVNL have taken a systematic and deliberate approach to tackle exclusive norms and barriers. As part of their ongoing efforts to promote social inclusion, some identified beneficiaries with disabilities were empowered with AGRA-branded wheelchairs. This initiative significantly eased their movement, ensuring that they can actively participate in the project’s activities.
In Kaduna State, the project is being implemented across Zaria, Makarfi, Soba, Lere, Kubau, Kauru, Chikun, Kachia, Jaba, Zango Kataf, Jema’a, and Ikara LGAs. In Niger State, the targeted LGAs include Bosso, Chanchaga, Lapai, Katcha, Lavun, Bida, Wushishi, Agaie, Gurara, and Paikoro.
Palm Valley Nigeria Limited (PVNL) has been instrumental in supporting the development of high-nutritional-value products from soybeans, maize, rice, and cowpea, promoting household nutrition. PVNL has also facilitated enterprise development through training and capacity building in financial and business soft skills. Additionally, PVNL has constructed and equipped pilot agro-processing centers in Kahuta (Kaduna State) and Kolugbe (Niger State), providing beneficiaries with access to structured markets.
Although many PLWD beneficiaries were identified, five were selected to receive the AGRA-branded wheelchairs—two in Niger and three in Kaduna State. This initiative is a testament to AGRA’s holistic approach to agricultural transformation, ensuring that even the most vulnerable populations are supported.
Through these inclusive measures, the AGRA Gender Consortium project is not only enhancing productivity and food security but also ensuring that all community members, including those living with disabilities, can contribute to and benefit from the agricultural sector’s growth.
Image 1: Aisha Mohammed (L), and Magdelene Danjuma(R) with other participants at the training
In the heart of Gatsibo District, a youth-led cooperative named Twiteze Imbere—meaning “let’s join our efforts to develop ourselves”—has emerged as a beacon of hope for local youth. Chairperson Mukashyaka Nadia, just 23 years old, embodies the aspirations of her 28 peers, aged 18 to 35. Faced with the dual challenges of limited skills and inadequate funding, Nadia captures their struggle: “We might have ideas, but the main challenges for us are limited skills and funds.”
Currently, Twiteze Imbere operates a small poultry farm, raising only 200 birds under suboptimal conditions. However, the cooperative’s dreams far exceed its current capabilities. With the support of the Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Food and Agriculture (YEFFA) program—an initiative by AGRA in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation—Twiteze Imbere is on a transformative journey.
The YEFFA Program: A Catalyst for Change
The YEFFA program, implemented by Abusol Ltd and ADC Ltd, aims to create dignified work opportunities for young people, particularly women and disadvantaged groups, through the development of inclusive food systems and agricultural value chains.
Since partnering with YEFFA in June 2024, Nadia and her cooperative have undergone a profound transformation. Through a 10-day intensive training focused on poultry management, complemented by a 12-day study tour of successful poultry farms, Twiteze Imbere chair person has acquired crucial skills that have revitalized the cooperative ambitions.
Nadia reflects on this impact: “Our hope has increased. The training opened my eyes to how we can generate income from poultry.”
Remarkable Achievements
The results of the YEFFA program are evident:
Financial Growth: The cooperative’s savings have skyrocketed from 400,000 Rwandan francs to over 3 million Rwandan francs. This remarkable increase reflects not only improved financial management but also newfound confidence in their business acumen.
Project Diversification: In addition to poultry, the cooperative launched a nursery tree project, successfully selling over 40,000 young trees. This initiative, which started with an investment of only 300,000 Rwandan francs, has provided a vital financial boost, contributing significantly to their poultry operations.
Increased Production Goals: With aspirations to expand from 200 to at least 1,000 poultry, the cooperative recognizes that additional funding of about 3 million Rwandan francs is essential. The success of the nursery project is crucial in achieving this goal.
A Vision for the Future
With newfound skills and financial support, Twiteze Imbere is not just surviving; it is thriving. Nadia’s optimism is palpable: “I am very optimistic that this project will help us meet our mission.” The cooperative’s vision extends beyond mere survival—they aim to become a sustainable enterprise that empowers youth and women in the community.
Broader Impact of the YEFFA Program
The success of Twiteze Imbere reflects a broader initiative under the YEFFA program, which aims to train 4,006 youth in best practices for poultry farming. With a target of establishing 190 youth groups, the program is set to create self-employment opportunities, link youth to financial institutions, and significantly increase female participation in the poultry sector.
Employment Opportunities: The program anticipates creating 4,500 work opportunities, with a goal of ensuring that 70% of beneficiaries are women.
Sustainable Growth: By focusing on producing competent actors in modern poultry farming, the YEFFA program is laying the groundwork for a resilient agricultural sector in Rwanda.
Conclusion: A Model of Success
Twiteze Imbere’s journey exemplifies the transformative power of the YEFFA program. Through targeted training, financial support, and access to market opportunities, the cooperative has turned challenges into remarkable achievements. The story of Mukashyaka Nadia and her peers is one of resilience, hope, and empowerment—a testament to what can be accomplished when young people are equipped with the right tools and support.
As they continue to grow, Twiteze Imbere stands as a model of success, inspiring other youth-led initiatives across Rwanda to join in the movement toward sustainable agriculture and economic independence. The future looks bright for this cooperative, and with ongoing support, they are poised to make a lasting impact in their community.
Baku, Azerbaijan 19th November 2024 At COP29, African youth took center stage in various sessions on food systems and climate adaptation sharing their experiences and best practices and showcasing the innovative technologies they are using to address climate shocks on their farms and enterprises. Through various sessions, attended by diverse stakeholders, the youth climate champions took the moment to present the role of young people in driving sustainable agricultural practices and addressing climate change.
At COP, the young agripreneurs from across Africa presented their efforts in climate resilient food systems transformation. They shared real-life examples of how they are adapting to changing climate conditions, such as using drought-resistant crop varieties, use of renewable energy, implementing water-saving irrigation techniques, adopting agroforestry practices among others. These innovative solutions are not only enhancing their resilience to climate impacts but also improving food security and livelihoods in their communities.
Marcia Manhica, the Vice President of Association for Health and Rural Development in Mozambique, said that “Climate change is the greatest threat to our existence on the planet. No one will be able to escape its consequences if we do not unite to combat this phenomenon. The planet without us will always be a planet, but we cannot exist without the planet.”
While Dolphine Magero, Founder, Green Youth Climate Fund Initiative, said that the “29th Conference of Parties to UNFCCC presents an opportunity for the international community and particularly Africa to design a climate finance mechanism that speaks to the very core of human existence which is food security. COP 29 must deliver at least 10% of climate finance to youth led climate resilient initiatives and a grant-based climate finance goal that support sustainable food systems through programmes such as Climate Friendly School Feeding Programme.”
In addition to discussing their adaptation strategies, the youth also presented the 11 recommendations from the African Common Position on youth food systems and climate and the Kigali Declaration on Youth in Food Systems and Climate Action in various platforms.
These recommendations included:
Investment in youth-centric food systems and climate policies.
Enhancing access to resources and funding for young farmers.
Strengthening capacity building and knowledge sharing.
Promoting of technological innovation in agriculture.
Facilitating Inclusive and gender-equitable agricultural policies.
Acceleration of agro-industrial development and value chain integration.
Mobilization of youth as key actors in climate action.
Collaboration and partnerships for youth empowerment initiatives.
Strengthening policy and advocacy frameworks with youth involvement.
Facilitating research and development to inform youth engagement.
Increasing in climate action finance for Africa.
The events presented the potential of African youth to lead the way in creating resilient food systems that can withstand the pressures of climate change. Their participation at COP29 demonstrates their commitment to building a sustainable future and presents the need for continued support and investment to youth-led initiatives.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Jeremiah Rogito, Specialist for Food Systems, Land Use, and Climate at AGRA, and Lead for the AGRA Youth Delegation at COP29 said “African youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the changemakers of today. At COP29, we have witnessed their resilience, creativity, and determination in addressing the most pressing challenge of our time climate change. Through their innovative approaches to commitment to sustainable and climate resilient food systems, these young leaders are setting a powerful example for the world. Now, more than ever, we must invest in their potential and amplify their voices to ensure a sustainable future for all.”
