Ferrero’s Post

Incredible research! You've just cracked the code to thriving rural livelihoods in Kaduna State. Your insights into soybean farmers' diversification strategies paint a vivid picture of their resilience and resourcefulness. On-farm activities as the income engine? Brilliant! It's empowering to see families maximizing their land and skills. The impact ripples beyond just soybeans, it's about building sustainable futures. And all those diversification drivers are a fascinating tapestry of human factors, from gender dynamics to credit access, each thread plays a crucial role. Understanding these nuances is key to crafting targeted policies. Your call for land access and extension support is spot-on. By removing roadblocks and providing essential resources, we can truly cultivate a harvest of food security and prosperity. You’ve already sown the seed through this research, let’s nurture these seeds you've sown, cultivate change, and watch rural communities flourish. This research is truly a beacon, guiding the path towards a sustainable future Congratulations Adam Mohammed 👏

Excited to share! 👨🌾 We unveiled some insights into the world of soybean farming in Kaduna State, Nigeria. My latest research delves into the on-farm, off-farm, and non-farm diversification strategies of soybean-based cropping farmers, unlocking the secrets to boosting output and living standards in rural households. Did you know a substantial number of these families are embracing diverse livelihoods? On-farm activities emerge as the powerhouse, contributing significantly to their income. But the drivers for the diversification were fascinating mix of gender dynamics, education, age, household size, farming experience, cooperative, and access to credit. Beyond those, the findings shed light on the need for targeted government policies. Land access and extension support are key players, shaping the future of on-farm activities and alleviating challenges faced by rural communities. Let's sow the seeds of change and cultivate sustainable livelihoods for food security. #SoybeanFarming #RuralDevelopment #SustainableAgriculture #sustainablelivelihoods #foodsecurity #KadunaState

| Food Security in Africa | Something awakens in people’s hearts each morning when the sun rises in Africa and casts its rays across the fields, bringing new beginnings and new hope. Eyes filled with optimism, farmers look across their fields in expectation that the combination of nightly rains, the smiling sun and fertilisers applied will nurture life and a good yield at the end of the season. As partners, AlmaStone similarly trusts that a bumper harvest is possible. With 52% of Africa’s population employed in agriculture, AlmaStone continues to support growth of sustainable food systems through its investments in one of the leading fertiliser merchants in Africa. With the proper nutrients, nitrogen (the leaf maker), phosphorous (the root-maker), and potassium (the flower and fruit maker), good yields are achievable. Hand in hand with Africa, AlmaStone sees food security as possible! [Photo by Tendai Mutungwazi in Zambia] #foodsecurity #africarising #foodsystemstransformation #sustainability #conservation #farming

🌱 Update from the Field: Resilient Cowpeas Endure Drought As a Project Manager for Kamano Seed Limited under the Seed Multiplication through Smallholder Market Integration project, sponsored by the European Union through the Enterprise Zambia Challenge Fund, I'm continually inspired by the resilience of our farmers. Recently, I witnessed a remarkable sight: cowpeas crops standing strong despite enduring over six weeks without rainfall. While the prolonged drought may impact yield potential, there's hope for some harvest. This serves as a testament to the dedication and hard work of our farmers, whose perseverance in the face of challenges truly embodies the spirit of resilience. Let's continue to support and empower our farmers as they navigate through adversity, ensuring sustainable agricultural practices and fostering growth within our communities. #AgriculturalResilience #FarmersFirst #EU-EnterpriseZambiaChallengeFund #KamanoSeedLimited

The government would have closed the gap if a determined policy direction were established to make cassava a supplement to maize meals in all districts hit by drought, given the maize food shortage of over a million metric tonnes that Zambia is currently suffering. One potential answer is to commercialize cassava in the country, thereby establishing it as a viable source of food for both humans and animals through value addition. This action would motivate cassava grower farmers to allocate additional resources towards enhancing the productivity and production of their field crops within the nation. Cassava is a climate-smart crop that requires minimal input.

What would #Zimbabwe do differently to avoid importing basic food needs ? Zimbabwe's food security challenges in 2024/25 are largely due to a historic dry spell in early 2024 that resulted in a significantly below-average harvest.[1] The country is expected to import around 1 million metric tons of corn to fill the production gap.[2] Zimbabwe could have taken the following actions preemptively to curb the importation menace: 1. Investing in #irrigation #infrastructure and #drought-tolerant crop varieties to improve resilience to climate shocks.[1] This would have helped maintain crop yields during the dry spell. 2. Diversified its agricultural production beyond just #maize to include other staple crops that are more tolerant of dry conditions.[1] This could have provided alternative food sources. Over reliance is creating acute severities. 3. Implementing #earlywarningsystems and contingency plans to trigger timely #humanitarian assistance and #market interventions when poor #rainfall was forecasted.[1] This could have mitigated the impact on household #foodaccess. 4. Strengthening #socialsafetynets and #livelihood support programs to help #vulnerable households cope with production shortfalls and high food prices.[1] This could have prevented a deterioration in food security. 5. Pursued regional trade agreements to facilitate the import of affordable food supplies when domestic production falls short.[2] This could have ensured adequate food availability. Resources: [1]https://lnkd.in/dK4yEG7j [2] https://lnkd.in/dVJbAAbB [3]https://lnkd.in/dX8PthYE [4]https://lnkd.in/dbPawFwy [5]https://lnkd.in/d-5p53Xe

A Recent Chat With The HON. Minister Of Agriculture, Sen. Abubakar Kyari CON Consistently growing and supplying produce throughout the year, regardless of seasonal variations, is crucial for enhancing food production in Nigeria. By adopting these practices like seasonless harvesting and implementing annual planting programs, farmers can ensure a steady and reliable supply of fresh produce. This not only helps meet the demand for fresh and healthy produce but also addresses food security concerns by reducing dependency on seasonal fluctuations. Additionally, ensuring continuous access to food aligns with the principle that hunger should never be seasonal, contributing to a more stable and resilient food system in Nigeria. #sustainableagriculture #farmvisit #HungerHasNoReligion #yourfavoritecropdoctor 🌱 Kola Olatunji

Sorghum is quietly rising as a powerful player in Africa's food security game! Interestingly, sorghum thrives where others falter, boasting incredible resilience in dry and hot climates – a true champion for Africa's diverse landscapes! It is packed with protein, fibre, and essential minerals, sorghum packs a punch when it comes to nourishing communities. About 20 million tons of sorghum are produced across Africa annually, fuelling rural economies and providing income for millions of farmers. New sorghum varieties and farming practices are emerging, making this crop even more efficient and productive, with exciting potential for the future! At CropLife Africa Middle East we support farmers across the region by promoting safe and effective solutions to protect precious harvests from hidden threats and by sharing knowledge and tools unlock sorghum's full potential, maximising production and income. To read more about this powerhouse, click here: https://lnkd.in/dpP32mcH. Share your favourite sorghum recipe, interesting facts, or challenges you've faced as a farmer. #SorghumPower #AfricaAg #CropLifeAfricaAME #SustainableAg

RAIN AS WATER FOR PRODUCTIVE USE: Climate-Smart Agriculture vs. Access to Inputs I have been asked several times about Africa Access Water's agenda and the extent of our promotion of 'water for productive use' and improving livelihoods, including wealth creation for rural communities. Apart from our main core business of facilitating and providing solar-powered water for productive use in rural communities, we also focus on maximizing production during the rainy season. Rain, for us, is critical water for wealth in rural communities, and harnessing it means eradicating poverty. Last year, in collaboration with our partners Tevel and the Kafue District Agriculture office in Zambia, we trained 250 farmers (Mphande villages) in Climate-Smart Agriculture, targeting the rainy season. In particular, I was impressed with one technique called 'Ngampani' or 'potholing' used for rainfall stressed places. We noted increased production for those who adopted it. The challenge remains access to inputs versus the adoption of the methods. We, together with our partners, resolved that this year and season provide the farmers with an inputs package. Apart from fertilizer and seed, we added bags of lime, agreed upon the size to cultivate, conducted complete training, monitored land preparation, and will provide support throughout the production period. This year, 150 small-scale farmers have received the inputs and are ready to go! Below is a picture of a beneficiary woman living in Shamanji village (a hard-to-reach place): We are Africa Access Water and Tevel. #africaaccesswater #solarpoweredwater4productiveuse #rainyseason and #maximizingproduction #promotingwaterforproductiveuse