AGRA

Innovate, Accelerate, and Scale: A Call to Action for Smallholder Farmers

The Africa Food Systems Forum 2024 kicked off on September 2nd in Kigali, Rwanda, under the theme “Innovate, Accelerate, and Scale.” The forum aims to address the critical need to increase yields for smallholder farmers across the continent.

Linking Smallholder Farmers with Markets

Adeyemo Olusola, AGRAs Lead in Extension Services, highlighted AGRA’s successful Village Based Model approach, which has significantly improved market access for smallholder farmers. This model has been instrumental in connecting farmers to larger markets, thereby increasing their income and sustainability.

“At AGRA, our inclusive approach to supporting smallholder farmers is through Village Based Advisors (VBA). These are people who work in the community, and this approach has helped to link smallholder farmers to markets. VBAs can reach farmers effectively and efficiently. They have become early adopters and connect farmers to good farming practices. We have started scaling VBAs to Super VBA, (agro-dealers and aggregators).

Nutrition and School Feeding Programs

AGRA’s lead on nutrition, Bertha Mkandawire, discussed the impactful school feeding program, emphasizing its role in improving child nutrition and educational outcomes. The program has not only provided nutritious meals to children but also created a stable market for local farmers.

Soil Health and Organic Fertilizers

At the soil health session, Asseta Dialo stressed the importance of implementing the Soil Health Africa Declaration. She advocated for the adoption of organic fertilizers to enhance soil fertility and increase crop yields, which is crucial for sustainable agriculture. While AGRA’s Director of Climate Adaptation, Sustainable Agriculture & Resilience Prof. Tilahun Amede, said “Last mile extension is critical for the successful soil health management.”

Launch of the Seed Index Report

In collaboration with TASAI and the African Union, AGRA launched a comprehensive Seed Index Report. This report aims to provide valuable insights into seed systems across Africa, helping to improve seed quality and availability for farmers.

Africa Mechanization Coalition

AGRA Vice President Prof. Hamadi Boga led the launch of the Africa Mechanization Coalition. This initiative seeks to promote the use of modern agricultural machinery, which is essential for increasing productivity and reducing labor-intensive farming practices. “Public and private sector coming together to enhance the level of mechanization in agrifood systems in Africa. Not just tractors but also food loss reducing solutions like threshers and storage  for climate smart, youth inclusive agriculture,” he said.

Supporting Access to Markets and Finance

Nega Wubeneh, Head of Markets & Trades, emphasized AGRA’s commitment to supporting smallholder farmers by improving their access to markets and finance. This support is vital for the economic empowerment of farmers and the overall growth of the agricultural sector. He added, that AGRA has also introduced digital solutions to enhance extension services, aiming to reduce the extension officer-to-farmer ratio. These digital tools provide farmers with timely and accurate information, helping them make informed decisions.

Centre for African Leaders in Agriculture Cohort 4 (CALA)

The day concluded with the launch of the Centre for African Leaders in Agriculture Cohort 4. This initiative calls for an increase in leadership within the agricultural sector, fostering the next generation of agricultural leaders. “CALA is an initiative I have personally championed from the outset, and we at AGRA are deeply proud of its achievements. We’re also extremely thankful to the African Management Institute (AMI), who act as our delivery, implementation and learning partner across all CALA activities,” said Dr Agnes Kalibata.

Across the continent, hundreds of CALA alumni and delegates are now leading transformation programmes within their organisations and countries, advancing food security and sustainable agriculture. Hailing from government, the private sector and civil society, participants have applied their learning to drive meaningful improvements in agricultural policy, productivity, and community wellbeing.

Youth in Climate Demand Paper

The Ban Ki-moon Center launched a demand paper for youth in climate, urging leaders to adjust financing mechanisms to better support young people in climate action. This call to action aims to ensure that youth are at the forefront of climate resilience efforts.

Food Systems Transformation Emerging Insights from Mega Initiatives 

“Sustainable programs require more than just good intentions; they need to be embedded within the political and economic realities of a country. At AGRA Nigeria, we recognize this and prioritize alignment with government priorities. This strategic approach ensures not only initial buy-in but also the long-term viability and success of our programs,” these were the remarks of Rufus Idris, Country Director, AGRA Nigeria

Day 0 of the Africa Food Systems Forum set a strong foundation for the days to come, with a clear focus on innovation, acceleration, and scaling solutions to transform agriculture and food systems in Africa.