AGRA

Nairobi, Kenya, 14th November 2024 AGRA is proud to announce its participation in the UN Climate Change Conference – COP29, which is taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan, starting this week. Discussions around climate finance, resilience and adaptation are incomplete without the perspective and leadership of Africa’s youth; thus AGRA will bring forward the voices of seven African youth delegates, who will play a central role in advocating for the transformation of food systems across the continent and drawing on country and regional consultation processes over the past several months. These youth advocates, who represent a diverse range of sectors including agriculture, environmental activism, innovation, and policy, will present solutions-driven proposals and highlight the urgent need for an inclusive, equitable, and climate-resilient food system in Africa.

AGRA’s delegation will bring Africa’s unique climate challenges to global attention, highlighting the urgent need to fortify food systems across the continent. The young advocates part of the delegation will bring to the discussions how targeted adaptation financing can protect smallholder farmers who stand at the frontline of climate shocks. With Africa’s food systems facing extreme vulnerabilities, the importance of robust financial support to drive resilience is a key message that AGRA will champion in Baku.

Empowering Youth and Women Leadership for Climate and Food Security

In line with its commitment to an inclusive transformation, AGRA will highlight the powerful role of youth and women in advancing sustainable agricultural practices. These groups are essential in driving the innovation and solutions needed to meet Africa’s food security and climate goals. At COP29, AGRA will showcase youth and women led initiatives that are driving innovation in climate-smart agriculture, food security, and sustainable food production practices. These young leaders are working tirelessly to combat the effects of climate change, which has exacerbated food insecurity, land degradation, and water scarcity across the continent.

“We are excited to elevate the voices of African youth leaders and agriprenuers at COP29. Young people are already pioneering innovative solutions to transform Africa’s food systems and adapt to the impacts of climate change,” said Dr. Agnes Kalibata, President of AGRA.

“This is not just about their future; it is about their leadership today and the ideas, innovations, and energy they bring to shape priority decisions. Their inclusion in climate discussions is vital for creating a more equitable and sustainable food future for Africa.”

Youth-Led Solutions to Transform African Food Systems

At COP29, AGRA will also present the Kigali Youth Declaration on Food Systems, Policy and Climate Action 2024. This initiative emphasizes the vital role that African youth can play in revolutionizing the continent’s food systems through innovative practices and vibrant labor.

“The 2024 Youth Common Position paper highlights the current challenges and opportunities faced by youth in agriculture across various African countries. It also provides strategic recommendations to support their engagement and development,” said Dr. Jeremiah Rogito, Specialist in Food Systems and Land Use at AGRA.

The report draws on a comprehensive survey and a series of country and regional convenings conducted across 15 African countries, including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, and Zambia. These engagements focused on understanding the dynamics of youth entrepreneurship ecosystems within the agricultural sector, particularly in the context of climate change.

“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 a robust grant based climate finance goal that support sustainable food systems through programmes such as Climate Friendly School Feeding Programme,” Dolphine Magero, founder, the Green Youth Climate Fund Initiative explained.

Building on the Commitments of COP28

AGRA will further push for tangible action on the commitments outlined in the COP28 UAE Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action which was endorsed by 160 countries, focusing on the urgency required by all stakeholders to secure sustainable food supplies, improve nutrition, and strengthen resilience against climate impacts. At COP29, AGRA will urge governments, the private sector, and civil society to accelerate progress on these fronts, emphasizing the need for a united effort to achieve meaningful change for Africa’s agriculture sector.

About AGRA

For more information about AGRA’s participation at COP29, please contact: media@agra.org

Website: www.agra.org

At the margins of World Without Hunger Conference in Ethiopia, His Excellency Hailemariam Dessalegn, former Prime Minister of Ethiopia and AGRA Board Chair met with a delegation led by Matthias Berninger, EVP of Bayer Global. The meeting, held in Addis Ababa, was a platform for discussing innovative solutions and collaborative efforts to tackle the pressing challenges faced by smallholder farmers across the continent.

Matthias Berninger began by highlighting Bayer’s groundbreaking work on nitrogen-fixing seeds for crops such as corn, wheat, and rice. “The results, expected to be evaluated one year from now, are said to be encouragingly huge,” he noted. Berninger emphasized Bayer’s commitment to making these seeds accessible to meet the growing demand, underscoring the importance of gene-editing and modern breeding techniques in achieving high and sustainable agricultural productivity.

Berninger also pointed out the existing gap in the production of quality corn seeds and Bayer’s efforts to address this demand. He mentioned Bayer’s initiative on crop insurance, targeting 10 million smallholder farmers, as a crucial step in providing a safety net against adverse weather conditions and other risks. Reflecting on a recent meeting with the World Bank, Berninger highlighted MIGA’s current interest in agriculture, signaling potential collaborations.

Looking ahead, Berninger expressed interest in understanding AGRA’s vision for the next five years and inquired about any controversies that might affect future collaborations. He also shared concerns about the shift in AGRA’s leadership, assuming they should wait for the new leader’s guidance.

In response, His Excellency Hailemariam Dessalegn raised concerns about the impact of climate change on smallholder farmers. He proposed collaborative efforts between AGRA and Bayer to tackle these challenges using available technologies as shock absorbers. “Smallholder farmers must be included in assessments, decision-making, and implementation processes,” Dessalegn emphasized, highlighting the importance of their involvement for the success of agricultural initiatives.

Reiterating AGRA’s commitment to improving seed and crop quality, Dessalegn stressed the need for changing mindsets towards technology-based approaches for resilient and high-yielding crops. He acknowledged the political challenges that need to be addressed to embrace gene-editing and GMOs and underlined the necessity for robust studies and discussions led by African scientists and researchers.

Addressing Bayer’s concerns about controversies, Dessalegn assured that these mainly exist among donors and should not deter their efforts. He emphasized AGRA’s focus on state capacity building and advocating for best policies. Dessalegn explained AGRA’s holistic approach to the food system value chain, highlighting cooperation with the Global Climate Fund on food waste management from harvest to consumption.

Encouraging Bayer to actively engage with AGRA, Dessalegn affirmed that AGRA’s structured objectives and pillars remain steadfast despite leadership changes. “The upcoming president will still be from the sector,” he assured, promising that he and the Vice Presidents are committed to continuing discussions and engagements with Bayer. Dessalegn also offered his support in Bayer’s engagements across the continent, leveraging his capacity, networking, and experience.

The meeting concluded with several key takeaways and future actions. Both AGRA and Bayer reaffirmed their commitment to supporting smallholder farmers, acknowledging the climate-related challenges hindering their productivity. Bayer committed to equipping more researchers in Africa to advocate for gene-editing and modification. Discussions on the Food Basket program will be deepened, with Nigeria and Ethiopia identified as key areas of interest.

Bayer expressed interest in continuing efforts to improve corn seed availability in Ethiopia through mechanization and local seed grower support. Collaborative efforts will focus on regulatory harmonization and enabling policies to facilitate the movement of seeds and critical inputs across the continent.

This meeting marked a significant step towards fostering innovation and collaboration in Africa’s agricultural sector, paving the way for a more resilient and productive future.

Achieving goal number two of the Sustainable Development goals – Zero Hunger – is the biggest challenge for mankind in our day. Every other goal is hinged on the ability of the world to feed its people without leaving anyone behind. But this challenge is more pronounced in Africa than anywhere else. The question many researchers ask is: Can Africa feed itself? This question must be answered for us to even start talking about the SDGs.

Many research findings have concluded that it is possible for Africa to achieve self-sufficiency in food if its land resource is intensively farmed while stopping dependence on food imports. Africa’s potential to produce food remains largely untapped, as seen by the region’s relatively low yields compared to other regions with similar agro–ecological zones like South Asia. It is estimated that 800 million hectares of land in Sub-Saharan Africa are ideal for rain-fed agriculture. But despite this potential, Africa continues to struggle with an undernourished population that is projected to grow from 1.2 billion currently to about 1.8 billion in 2050. According to the Food Agriculture Organization, the prevalence of undernourishment on the continent went up from 17.6% in 2014 to 19.1% of the population in 2019. Of concern too, Africa is the only continent where agricultural productivity per capita has been falling over the last 30 years.

Truth, however, is that African countries require ample supply of affordable and nutritious food for their growing populations hence the reason why African agriculture must work. At the same time, agriculture is a major employer especially in rural areas where it accounts for up to 60 per cent of the job market. But land subdivision due to population pressure means that farms in many parts of Africa are too small for any meaningful agriculture, which compromises food security and household incomes in rural areas. In addition, the soil quality is low and infrastructure is generally poor, leading to high production and transportation costs and uncompetitive input and output markets. Means must, therefore, be found on how to provide affordable and nutritious food for the population in the rural and urban areas, calling for major transformation in the way agriculture is practiced.

One of the most negatively affected by the wanting conditions in Africa that are worsened by high poverty rates is fertiliser costs, crop-yield response to fertilisers, and fertilizer use profitability. Average fertilizer application rates in Africa range between 13 and 20 kg per hectare – well below the global average of 135 kg per hectare. African Heads of State have been concerned by the need to bridge this gap. The 2006 Abuja Declaration on Fertilizer for the African Green Revolution for instance identified the critical need to increase fertilizer use to stimulate agricultural productivity to end hunger and poverty in Africa. Again in 2014 during the 23^rd Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, the Member States committed to inclusive agricultural transformation and also committed to the 2003 Maputo Declaration on implementing integrated and sustainable development in agriculture and water in Africa.

Most recently in 2022 at the African Union Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit in Nairobi, they adopted the 10-year Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan and the Soil Initiative for Africa Framework. Key among the commitments in the action plan was to expand domestic production and distribution of certified quality organic and inorganic fertilizers; to fully operationalize the Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism Action Plan; to formulate and implement policies and regulations to create a conducive environment for fertilizer and soil health interventions; and to develop and promote systemic national capacity building for locally relevant fertilizer and soil health management practices and technologies, among others.

One of the mechanisms African governments have responded to the problem of underuse of fertilisers is through “smart” Fertilizer Subsidy Programmes (FSPs) conceived in mid-2000s to promote fertilizer access and increase sustainable use without distorting nascent fertilizer markets.

FSPs seek to overcome flaws in food systems that limit fertilizer availability and access and thereby damage soil health and blunt food system performance. By reducing costs, boosting yields, and increasing fertilizer use efficiency, FSPs hope to promote innovations in food systems that raise farmer incomes, enhance livelihoods, and increase food security. Given their scale, FSPs have the potential to significantly impact the agricultural sector and wider macroeconomic conditions, including aggregate income growth, employment, exports and imports, and public debt and finances.

AGRA, between 2016 and 2017, undertook an assessment of marketing and distribution systems of fertilizer and farm inputs in 11 selected countries (Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda) resulting in the identification of several gaps and challenges. These included a lack of holistic integrated approaches aligned with broader agricultural sector goals and strategies, limited soil testing capacity and integrated soil health approaches, poor programme timing and inadequate stakeholder sensitization and inadequate fertilizer quality control and inspection. Other challenges included flawed beneficiary targeting, registration, and management, poorly implemented transfer mechanisms, inadequate monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems and elite capture, corruption, and politicization.

AGRA gave both short-term and medium-term recommendations for improving the enabling environment for implementation of FSPs. Among short-term recommendations was the need to ensure timely distribution of subsidized fertilizers, to increase quality and rigor of beneficiary targeting, registration, and management systems, leveraging digital platforms and mobile applications in gender-sensitive approaches and to strengthen graduation and exit strategy design and execution. Over and above this, AGRA recommended the need to integrate fertilizer subsidies with complementary inputs and interventions for soil health improvement, enhance and expand e-voucher systems and reduction of bureaucratic hurdles as well as enhancing transparency and efficiency in fertilizer importation among others.

For the medium-term actions ranging between three to five years, AGRA’s recommendations included the need to terminate all universal FSPs and replace them with targeted ones; invest in infrastructure and capacity building to scale up soil testing; scale up domestic fertilizer manufacturing and blending capacity and to strengthen quality control measures for subsidized fertilizers. AGRA also recommended the establishment of accreditation mechanisms for input retailers, increasing quality, rigor, and coverage of M&E systems, deploying digital tools in regular assessments and combating elite capture, corruption, and politicization through transparent procurement processes and robust oversight.

It is AGRA’s hope that governments and the private sector will embrace the above recommendations to boost efforts to ensure Africa gets closer to the “zero hunger’ target in the near future. AGRA is also excited by the commitment of the African Heads of State during the Nairobi summit to triple domestic production and distribution of certified quality organic and inorganic fertilizers by 2034 to improve access and affordability and to finance and promote youth-led initiatives oriented towards production and distribution of fertilisers. If this is well executed, in addition to all other measures being taken to promote food production, we can stand in hope for a continent that feeds herself and the world.

The Soil Values ​​Program Supports Communities with Agronomically Profitable and Ecologically Sustainable Practices

In July 2024, the Soil Values program initiated participatory soil fertility and soil health diagnostic activities with small-scale agricultural producers and livestock breeders living in watershed and sub-watershed communities in identified areas of Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and northern Nigeria. Community members met with Soil Values ​​teams and discussed their concerns about the management of soil fertility and soil health in their respective areas as well as their expectations for solutions. Following these discussions, community members and the Soil Values teams co-designed beneficial activities to be carried out in 2024.

The Soil Values ​​program organized these diagnostic activities with a synergistic approach, aiming to strengthen the actions of existing projects and programs already working on soil health and soil fertility in the Sahel. Soil Values worked with with partners already working in watersheds and sub-watersheds, such as the West Africa Food Systems Resilience Program (FSRP); the Agri-Food Program for Integrated Resilience and Economic Development in the Sahel (Pro-ARIDES) in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger; and HortiNigeria’s Women In Agriculture (WIA) projects in Nigeria.

These community-level diagnostic activities aimed to reveal the constraints and needs in terms of soil fertility management in watersheds and sub-watersheds in respective countries. These activities also enabled the team to assess the state of natural resources such as water, agricultural land, forests, and more, at the level of watersheds and sub-watersheds. The team informed the intervention communities of their findings, encouraging the collaboration in co-designing these solutions and future activities.

Watersheds and Sub-Watersheds, at the Heart of Soil Values ​​Interventions in the Sahel

Watersheds and sub-watersheds constitute the central elements on which Soil Values ​​ activities are focused through national projects and programs. The diagnostic activities have involved the participation of several watershed and sub-watershed communities to identify constraints to sustainable agricultural land management in their respective locations. In Nigeria, communities involved include Sani Babangida in Bichi Local Government Area (LGA), Dadauda and Yar Titi in ​​Bagwai LGA, and Fajewa in Bagwai LGA, all of which are in Kano State. The Fajewa watershed covers 16,514 hectares with a total storage capacity of 1.06 million m³, while the Yar Titi watershed covers 20,857 hectares.

In Burkina Faso, communities involved in diagnostic activities include Diarradougou and Koumbadougou, of the Kou sub-watershed in the Hauts-Bassins region. This sub-watershed covers an area of ​​1,823 km², including the localities of Bama, Bobo-Dioulasso, and Péni.

In Mali, the involved communities include Kaboïla and Mandela in the Lotio sub-watershed, in the Sikasso region, which benefits from an average rainfall of 1,300 mm in a typical year. In Niger, communities involved include Nadabar, Tsernaoua, and Doguéraoua in the Maggia watershed, in the Tahoua region. The Maggia Basin, which extends into the southern agricultural belt of Niger and the northwestern part of Nigeria, has a total area of ​​5,616 km². Communities comprising agricultural producers and pastoralists from various ethnic groups use the water resources of these watersheds for various crops and animals during different seasons.

 Tailored Responses to Reduce the Challenges Faced by Communities in Agricultural Land Management

The participatory diagnostic process included several important steps. First, the mixed teams with members from Soil Values, FSRP, Pro-ARIDES, and HortiNigeria/WIA engaged with various technical services directly supporting the communities, including those of agriculture; animal and fishery resources; and environment, sustainable development, and local authorities. These teams then held focus groups considering gender intersectionality issues with communities. Tools such as the problem and solution tree were used to understand the challenges related to soil health and fertility. Field visits were carried out to observe soil restoration actions and agricultural landscapes undertaken by existing national projects and programs.

Discussions with the communities confirmed that the problems related to soil health and fertility in respective localities are the result of climatic and anthropogenic actions, including deforestation, extensive agriculture, water erosion, poor management of hydro-agricultural developments and agricultural landscapes, and low access to and poor use of fertilizers and pesticides, among other issues. Boureima Bengali, Second Deputy Mayor of Kaboïla in the Sikasso region of Mali, remarked, “Localities are experiencing problems with soil fertility and health, exacerbated by the effects of climate change. We recommend a concerted approach and hope that communities will be at the heart of activities to take full advantage of them.” The co-design approach is therefore well aligned with the wishes of local authorities in the countries where the Soil Values ​​program is implemented.

With the support of the Soil Values ​​program, communities have proposed various activities to address soil management problems. These proposals include capacity building on the production of quality organic and biological fertilizers, groundwater mobilization and management techniques, fertilizer application technologies, the revitalization of land commissions for better management and security of agricultural land, participatory planning and organization of the landscape, and other plans. In Niger, the small-scale agricultural producers hope that the Soil Values ​​program’s support will remedy several critical problems, including the subsidence of the water table, the regeneration of depleted soils, and the slowing of watercourse silting in the watershed and existing structures on which they depend.

With a view to further improve decision-making on Soil Values interventions, local communities have mapped natural resources and specified development actors. They have drawn up an inventory of environmental assets and shortcomings and identified state organizations or structures in their localities involved in supporting the development of agricultural activities.

Through the program’s implementing consortium and knowledge partners, and in collaboration with communities, Soil Values will provide interventions with innovative solutions and technologies adapted to the realities these localities face. Soil Values will contribute to eradicating problems related to soil health and soil fertility in these localities of the Sahel.

Funded by the Directorate-General for International Cooperation (DGIS), Soil Values is being implemented over 10 years (2024-2034) by the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), in consortium with SNV and Wageningen University and Research (WUR) and in collaboration with knowledge partners, such as AGRA, the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), ISRIC – World Soil Information, and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI).

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – 11 October 2024 – The atmosphere was electric as women agripreneurs, government officials, and key industry figures gathered at the Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa for the highly anticipated Women in Agribusiness Forum Ethiopia. Spearheaded by AGRA through its VALUE4HER initiative, alongside Women in Coffee Ethiopia and Precise Consult, the event marked a transformative moment for the future of women-led agribusiness in the country. Agriculture, the cornerstone of Ethiopia’s economy, contributes 80% of export revenues. The role of women is made clear in the forum that plays in the sector despite the significant hurdles they face when expanding their businesses.

The VALUE4HER initiative came to light with a clear purpose: to dismantle barriers and empower women agripreneurs through capacity-building and improved access to finance. By tackling structural obstacles that hinder women’s growth, this initiative promises to revolutionize their role in agriculture, enabling them to seize new opportunities in high-value markets. In Ethiopia, where women perform 75% of farm labour and contribute up to 38% of high-value crop production, the potential impact of this programme cannot be overstated.

Opening the forum, Sara Yirga, President of Women in Coffee Ethiopia, delivered a compelling message that resonated deeply with the attendees: “Holding ourselves accountable to specific commitments in the economic empowerment of women in agribusiness is where we see true change coming from. After having various discussions, it’s time to call for results.” Her words set a powerful tone for the event, signalling that it was not just another discussion but a call to action.

Nicholas Obare, Country Programs Lead for AGRA Ethiopia, emphasized the far-reaching potential of targeted support for women: “When women are provided the right support at the right time, they will be at the forefront of transformative agri-food systems change, not just in Ethiopia, but across the African continent.” A vision for women’s leadership in agriculture perfectly matched the initiative’s long-term goals.

Aster Tafese, Director of Gender at the Ministry of Agriculture, reaffirmed the Ethiopian government’s commitment to empowering women in the sector. “Ethiopian women are entrepreneurial, and they are resilient. Programs like VALUE4HER are crucial, and as a ministry, we strive dedicated to ensuring their success,” she said. Adding to this, Dr. Debebe Barud, Senior Advisor to the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs, stressed the importance of supporting women in rural and underserved regions. “It’s time to overcome ignorance and take intentional action to support women agripreneurs, especially those from rural areas,” he urged.

As the event unfolded, the VALUE4HER initiative took centre stage, with a renewed focus on expanding its reach across Ethiopia. Initially launched in 2021, the initiative is poised to scale up, providing women access to critical resources, from financial tools to market networks. Jacqueline Chepkoech, VALUE4HER Lead, encouraged women agripreneurs to seize the moment, saying, “We urge every woman operating an agribusiness in Ethiopia to sign up for VALUE4HER. This rollout today signifies our commitment to walking this journey with you.”

The forum’s momentum continued to build as attention shifted to the strategic importance of the initiative for Ethiopia’s economic growth. Nana Amoah, Director of Gender, Youth, and Inclusiveness at AGRA, summed up the significance of the gathering: “Today’s forum is not just an event—it’s a platform to secure buy-in from all stakeholders. VALUE4HER represents a strategic opportunity to drive sectorial growth and promote gender-responsive policies in Ethiopia.” The day also highlighted the ongoing collaboration between AGRA and Women in Coffee Ethiopia, a partnership proudly celebrated: “The rollout of these initiatives today is a testament to our shared vision of making agribusiness profitable for women across Ethiopia.”

As the event drew close, participants made a collective pledge through a Call to Action, reaffirming their commitment to enhancing women’s access to finance, markets, and technical resources. AGRA set an ambitious goal: to onboard 200 women into the VALUE4HER platform during the forum, with plans to grow that number to over 9,000 by 2027. This expansion marks a significant step forward and heralds the dawn of a new chapter for women-led agribusiness in Ethiopia.

Winnie Osulah, AGRA’s Lead for Gender Integration, wrapped up the day with an inspiring vision for the future: “This platform is more than just a tool—it’s a movement. Movements that will empower every woman agripreneurs in Ethiopia to thrive, build resilience, and lead the transformation of the agricultural sector.”

As the event concluded and attendees mingled over lunch, the message was clear: Ethiopia’s agribusiness landscape is on the cusp of a new era. With their entrepreneurial spirit and unyielding resilience, women industriously lead the way, backed by AGRA and its partners, who stand ready to support them in breaking through barriers and achieving lasting success.

The collaboration between Pula Advisors and AGRA, with support from the ILO ACCEL Africa project, gathered key stakeholders to discuss and drive forward innovative agricultural insurance solutions that will enhance productivity, resilience, and access to markets.

October 18, 2024 – Agriculture is the backbone of Mali’s economy, contributing over 36% of the GDP and employing 80% of the workforce. However, farmers face numerous challenges, including limited access to financing, low levels of mechanization, and the increasing impact of climate change. The collaboration between AGRA and PULA Advisors directly addresses these challenges by promoting innovative agricultural insurance systems, designed to help farmers better manage risk and improve their productivity.

Pula Advisors, with a grant from AGRA, is leading the implementation of an insurance system that uses satellite data, historical information, and on-the-ground inputs to support small-scale irrigation farmers. The project aims to enable farmers to access credit, adopt innovative farming practices, and strengthen climate resilience, particularly through the use of water pumps. This initiative also seeks to reduce the need for emergency funding from donors and governments, creating a more sustainable framework for agricultural development in Mali.

As Amadou Bocar explained, “This project is part of a program that mobilizes stakeholders by creating an ecosystem. The project approach has shown its limitations, and now we are fostering the creation of synergies and mutualization so that the impact is more strongly felt by producers, who are at the center of our approach”.

A key component of this initiative is its alignment with the ILO ACCEL Africa project, which focuses on eliminating child labor in the cotton value chain. In regions like Sikasso and Koulikoro, where many cotton producers also grow maize, the collaboration between Pula Advisors and ACCEL Africa amplifies the impact on improving farmer livelihoods while ensuring interventions do not inadvertently increase child labor.

The agricultural sector’s importance in Mali was echoed by Dr. Mouhamed Diarra, Technical Advisor at the Ministry of Agriculture: “The agricultural sector is the foundation of Mali’s economy, employing 80% of the active population and contributing 35% to the country’s GDP. However, numerous challenges persist, including a financing deficit and the effects of climate change.” The project’s agricultural insurance initiative aims to directly address these challenges by providing farmers with the tools they need to thrive.

Dr. Pierre Sagara, Pula’s Country Manager, also emphasized the critical role of government support in bringing this initiative to life: “We are here today thanks to the Food Security Commission and the Ministry of Agriculture, which have worked for two years to make this agricultural insurance project a reality. Agriculture remains the backbone of our economy, contributing 40% of our GDP.”

The workshop in Bamako successfully brought together key players from Pula Advisors, AGRA, ILO, and various national and regional agricultural bodies. It served as a platform to clarify the project’s implementation approach and to secure commitments from stakeholders. This collective effort will ensure that the project has a lasting and meaningful impact on Mali’s smallholder farmers, providing them with much-needed resilience against climate risks and enabling them to access the financial resources necessary for sustainable growth.

The AGRA-PULA collaboration represents a forward-thinking solution to some of the most pressing issues facing Mali’s agricultural sector, and the momentum from this workshop promises to drive long-term success for farmers in the region.

A simple observation in her community, and the ability to identify a business opportunity, led Marie Mukagahima to create something new and leave a lasting legacy, contributing to the future generations.

Her innovation and dedication to agribusiness and agro-processing have not only rekindled interest in some of the forgotten crops in Rwanda but have also created a wave of positive change in the landlocked country known for its breathtaking scenery.

Marie is the founder of Zima Healthy Group, a company not only transforming its fortunes but also changing the lives of hundreds of Rwandese who are embracing healthier choices and a more sustainable lifestyle.

The company has been using raw materials from local women farmers and smallholder farmers to produce quality processed food.

“I identified opportunity in agribusiness and agro-processing in Rwanda and decided to start the company to ensure it exists for my future grandchildren,” Marie said on the sidelines of the AFS Forum 2024 in Kigali, Rwanda.

The Company – Zima Healthy Group, which was established in 2017, has revived interest in pumpkin cultivation and processing in Rwanda. Pumpkin has been one of the key vegetables in Rwandan traditional dishes and culture. However, over the years, pumpkins got neglected and were almost forgotten. Out of keen observation and the need to help her community, Marie decided to start processing pumpkins and Zima was born.

Her company collaborates with technical schools to provide practical training and sometimes hires trainees as permanent employees. “My employees are mostly youth, and we have a program to train college and university students in technical skills,” she said. Currently, she has employed 15 permanent employees and 16 casuals, with numbers varying at times.

The team comprises highly talented and ambitious youth who have the desire to learn and improve their skills. “We intend to retain employees by providing benefits, creating a pleasant environment and investing in their career development.”

Marie said the Rwandan government’s responsiveness to issues raised by the country’s entrepreneurs, makes her feel supported. She was quick to point out that, the government has been supportive, particularly in facilitating market visibility and providing environmental-friendly policies. She is a member of SheTrade Hub Rwanda.

In Rwanda, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM) in collaboration with the International Trade Centre’s (ITC), and the Private Sector Federation (PSF) Women Chamber of Entrepreneurs established a SheTrades Hub in Rwanda in 2021. The hub is part of a network of more than 10 SheTrades Hubs across Africa, Asia and Latin America, and has been supporting Rwandan women entrepreneurs to improve their competitiveness, connect to new markets and internationalise their businesses.

The SheTrade Hub has been providing a platform for the development of new partnerships with investors, multinational corporations, and business support organisations to foster an enabling environment for businesswomen.

Her company is undergoing steady and impressive growth and is in the process of expanding beyond the Rwandan borders. Zima’s products are now finding their way into the Kenyan and Ghanaian markets.

However, Marie has been facing challenges on customs and transport issues that are making it expensive to distribute her company’s products in various African markets. She said there is a need to improve customs regulations to make it easier for African products to compete with imported goods from other continents.