Eastern Africa Grain Council’s Post

It's all about soil. Soils provide over 90% of global #food and are key to #biodiversity and #climatemitigation. They are also vanishing: If nothing changes, by 2050, 90-95% of soils will be degraded globally but agricultural productivity will need to increase by 35-56%. Plainly speaking, we are on the verge of a global hunger crisis of catastrophic proportions. Why would people not improve the soils they cultivate themselves? Our evidence and experience at Welthungerhilfe (WHH) has shown that conservation must pay for food-insecure farmers. Productivity, food security and economic well-being must increase. Land rights must be secure. Seeds and techniques must build on scientific evidence and local knowledge. Public and private sector, academia and producers must come together to align regulations, incentives, support services and innovations to make conservation easier, not harder. There are a few emerging solutions: The African Union's Nairobi Declaration from May 2024 and the Soil Initiative for Africa, USAID's #vacs and BMZ's CompensACTION Initiative stand out. But the clock is ticking. On this Drought and Desertification Day, we are reminded that the world needs bold action, at a massive scale, now. #unccd #unddd #sdg2 #foodsecurity #foodsystems

Why Africa Could Lose Millions of Tons of Crops, now is the time to act! Soil erosion remains one of the greatest, yet often overlooked, threats to Africa's food security. As highlighted in FAO's comprehensive research on soil erosion, #Africa is losing up to 4 tons of soil per hectare annually, contributing to a 0.4% global reduction in crop yields each year. 🌾 While this may seem minor, the reality is that with our country’s rapidly growing population and ongoing climate challenges, the impact can be devastating, further intensifying food insecurity. 🛑 We must ask ourselves:   - Are we implementing enough sustainable soil management practices to counter this threat?   - How can we better collaborate and raise awareness about #soilconservation across the agricultural sector? Key solutions: such as planting cover crops, practicing no-till farming, and investing in soil rehabilitation, are vital to reducing erosion and preserving the soil's fertility for future generations. 🌱 At Gazillion Exploration, we are dedicated to empowering farmers with the tools and knowledge to combat soil erosion and secure Africa's agricultural future. Through our initiatives, we've already begun this critical work, but we know that with the support of more partners, we can make an even greater impact. 🌍 Together, we can ensure that farmers have the resources to sustain their livelihoods and feed their communities for generations to come. Let’s join hands in making this mission a reality. Visit our website- https://lnkd.in/d5Wt5nGJ to collaborate with us. #gazillionexplorations #soilerosioncontrol #climatechange #sustainablefarming #fao #foodsecurity #ekitistate #sdg

🌱💧 Bringing hope and transformation to our communities! 🌍✨ In these photos, we witness communities empowered and thriving, thanks to UrbanFarm Africa’s innovative solutions. With water harvesting systems now in place, residents have access to water for their daily needs - a fundamental necessity often taken for granted. Our water harvesting systems play a crucial role in enhancing water security. By capturing and storing rainwater, these systems ensure a reliable supply of water even during dry seasons, reducing dependence on external sources and mitigating the risk of water scarcity. But that's not all – initiatives like our Hydro Coop are revolutionizing agriculture, making a profound difference in the lives of people facing food and water insecurity. By minimizing food wastage and employing sustainable farming practices, our Hydro Coop projects are also mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. But perhaps most importantly, it enhances communities' resilience against food shortages by promoting local food production and consumption. By providing fresh, chemical-free produce, they foster healthier diets and strengthen communities from within. In regions grappling with the harsh realities of drought and food insecurity, these transformations serve as beacons of hope. Join UrbanFarm Africa, to rewrite the narrative, empowering communities, and fostering sustainable change. 💧🌱 #CommunityEmpowerment #WaterSecurity #SustainableSolutions #FoodSecurity #UrbanFarmAfrica

The future of food security in Sub-Saharan Africa hinges on our ability to adapt to a changing climate. Local solutions can help. By investing in water conservation and sustainable agriculture, we can build a resilient food system that can withstand the challenges of the future. While expanding irrigation can boost food production, it's essential to consider the potential trade-offs with other sectors, such as hydropower and tourism. A balanced approach is needed to ensure sustainable development and environmental protection. Read on https://lnkd.in/dtq3EvyZ I also touched on this topic when I mentioned how, in Kenya, we can do more to establish communal water harvesting spaces. Find it here: https://lnkd.in/d3RM7Zm6 #water #agriculture #sustainability

🌱💧 Bringing hope and transformation to our communities! 🌍✨ In these photos, we witness communities empowered and thriving, thanks to UrbanFarm Africa’s innovative solutions. With water harvesting systems now in place, residents have access to water for their daily needs - a fundamental necessity often taken for granted. Our water harvesting systems play a crucial role in enhancing water security. By capturing and storing rainwater, these systems ensure a reliable supply of water even during dry seasons, reducing dependence on external sources and mitigating the risk of water scarcity. But that's not all – initiatives like our Hydro Coop are revolutionizing agriculture, making a profound difference in the lives of people facing food and water insecurity. By minimizing food wastage and employing sustainable farming practices, our Hydro Coop projects are also mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. But perhaps most importantly, it enhances communities' resilience against food shortages by promoting local food production and consumption. By providing fresh, chemical-free produce, they foster healthier diets and strengthen communities from within. In regions grappling with the harsh realities of drought and food insecurity, these transformations serve as beacons of hope. Join UrbanFarm Africa, to rewrite the narrative, empowering communities, and fostering sustainable change. 💧🌱 #CommunityEmpowerment #WaterSecurity #SustainableSolutions #FoodSecurity #UrbanFarmAfrica

#IWMIInTheNews In this Newsday - Zimbabwe article, IWMI’s Henry Roman (PhD), Southern Africa regional representative discusses how we can build a Zimbabwe that withstands future droughts and ensures food security by investing in sustainable practices, resilient agriculture, responsible water management, and early warning systems that integrate anticipatory action. Read it here ▶️ https://lnkd.in/giQfs3nd #OneCGIAR

As we cultivate the land with care and innovation, we sow the seeds of sustainability in South Sudan. Through sustainable agriculture, we not only nourish the soil but also nurture communities, fostering resilience and hope. Let us remember: Every harvest is not just a meal; it's a promise of food security, ensuring that every plate is filled with abundance and every future is nourished with possibility. #FoodSecurity #InnovativeFarming #SustainableAgriculture #ChampioningChange Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe e. V.

Why Invest in Soil Health? 🌱 Healthy soils are crucial for food systems and climate protection. They contribute to over 90% of global food production, harbor about 30% of terrestrial biodiversity, and absorb large amounts of CO2. Nevertheless, approximately 65% of agricultural land in Africa is degraded, posing a significant threat to food security and livelihoods due to unsustainable practices, land use change, and climate change. 🌍 Initiatives such as the Soil Health Action Alliance and the Nairobi Declaration, which aim to reverse soil degradation and reclaim at least 30% of degraded soils by 2034, are critical steps toward restoring soil health. Scaling market-based incentives such as soil organic carbon credits and Payments for Soil Health Services (SHS) is essential for large-scale restoration. These incentives can provide financial support for farmers to invest in soil health. 🪱👨🌾 However, further research and policy support are needed to optimize these efforts and provide additional benefits to smallholder farmers, including higher yields and improved adaptive capacity to climate change. 🫱🏽🫲🏿 Together with local partners, we are at the African Food Systems Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, this week to showcase our innovative approaches to sustainable and resilient food systems and agriculture. #FoodSystems #SoilHealth #ZeroHunger #ClimateChange #AFSForum2024

Proposed water restrictions in Western Cape threaten potato supply; leading to possible ‘catastrophic price increases’ in South Africa Skyrocketing potato prices are predicted if water restrictions are enforced on Western Cape farmers in South Africa. The Department of Water and Sanitation proposes a 30% reduction in water extraction for farmers to preserve ecological stability. https://lnkd.in/d-iZHcw4

In 2020, the Policy Monitoring and Research Centre released a vital report on the impact of climate change on agriculture in Zambia, highlighting the challenges faced by farmers and the need for urgent adaptation. Since then, the Zambian government has emphasized the importance of improving sustainable agriculture practices, with a focus on raising awareness about Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA). At Impuls Africa, we are committed to this cause by implementing CSA principles in our farmer training programs. Our goal is to ensure that farmers are better equipped to face the realities of climate change and adopt more resilient farming methods. Through our continuous efforts, we aim to build a future where Zambian agriculture thrives sustainably despite climate challenges. 🌱 To learn more read the full article through the link below  https://lnkd.in/d2RAxaNJ #ClimateSmartAgriculture #Sustainability #ClimateChange #ImpulsAfrica #Zambia