Sanjaykumar Vasoya’s Post

Check out this great article on the significance of African staple crops such as cassava and teff. The piece highlights how the Gates Foundation is partnering with CGIAR to help these crops reach their full potential. Investing in these crops could have a huge impact on food security and poverty reduction in the region. #Africa #Agriculture #FoodSecurity

🌾 Transforming Rice Production in Africa: A Leap Towards Agricultural Independence 🌾 In an era where sustainability and self-sufficiency are paramount, Africa stands on the brink of a significant agricultural transformation. Recent research spearheaded by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, in collaboration with international scientists, reveals a groundbreaking opportunity for Africa to drastically enhance its rice production. Currently meeting only about 60% of its demand, Africa's reliance on rice imports places it in a precarious position. However, this new study illuminates a path toward not only meeting but surpassing this demand through improved agronomic practices. The continent has nearly 15 million hectares of rice fields ready for yield improvements, which, until now, remained an untapped potential due to the lack of advanced agronomy. The findings, supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and published in Nature Communications, suggest that with better land development, soil and plant nutrition, weed control, water management, and a moderate expansion of cropland, Africa could substantially reduce its dependency on imports. Read the full study here: https://lnkd.in/ekbvZNqR This initiative not only aims to secure Africa's food future but also to prevent the conversion of wildlife habitat into agricultural use. By optimizing rice yield, Africa could withstand external supply and price shocks, like those recently experienced with India's bans on rice exports. As we look towards 2050, with rice demand in Africa expected to more than double, the urgency for adopting these improved practices cannot be overstated. This research is a testament to the power of global collaboration and innovation in agronomy, offering a more optimistic future for African agriculture and food security. Let's celebrate the strides being made in agricultural technology and the promising future of rice production in Africa. It's an exemplary model of how targeted research and commitment to sustainability can pave the way for food independence on a continental scale. For more information, visit the University of Nebraska-Lincoln news release: https://lnkd.in/eA_aeiiJ. #Agriculture #AgriTech #Sustainability #RiceProduction #Africa #FoodSecurity #Innovation

Hi folks! The growing effects of climate change on agriculture in the global north have been unwavering in recent times especially in Ghana. Coupled with the lack of capacity of leaders to support farmers, many young farmers have been frustrated by the continuous losses and have abandoned their trade to migrate for greener pastures. Subsequently, left-behind families have been forced to shift focus from growing common staples to climate-resistance cash crops. As many praise the shift and the land use change, the implications on staple food crops and for that matter food security have been overlooked. In the upcoming EMCA24 conference in Liege University-Belgium from 9th-12th July, 2024, I will be leading a team to present our research paper titled: “Climate-Migration and Land Use Change: Effects of Cashew Plantations on Staple Food Crop Production in Techiman North” Techiman North in the current Bono East region of Ghana is a noted food basket in the sub-region. The zone which hitherto was noted for the production of cereals, yam, cassava and varying range of vegetables which served Ghana is been invaded with Cashew production. Unfortunately, researchers and policy makers have continued to turn a blind eye on the implications of the new found gold on our food sovereignty as a nation. This paper unravels the top points you need to know. Let’s catch up @ EMCA24 on the 10th July, 2024 as I lead a team of co-researchers [Kingsley Baffoe1, Theophilus Abutima1, Isadore Armah1, Doris Bayitse2, Emmanuel Yakass2] to present our empirical research findings on the subject matter. Seer!  

It is already one year into the vision behind VACS; the discussion of the Vision bearers, the commissioner of DERBE at the Africa Union, and the special envoy on food security at the US State Department took place at CoP 27. We need to drive with "SMART HASTE".. and capitalize on the wave of interest in the subject matter. A key driver of "Smart haste" is to build on existing work rather than laying new foundations, that mimic the reinvention of the wheel. The implementation modalities for the components of VACS in Africa should be jointly developed to ensure a good sense of ownership. Let the "AC", give cognizance to the African manifesto on forgotten foods https://shorturl.at/oG078 , the 'S" need to link up with the implementation of Soil Initiative for Africa (SIA) https://lnkd.in/duy6VH5B.

🌾 Exciting Update from Mzizi Agriculture Expert Forum! 🌍 Three weeks ago, we called for agricultural experts to join our mission, and the response has been overwhelming! We are thrilled to have a diverse pool of experts from across Africa on board. The Mzizi Agriculture Expert Forum aims to bridge the gap by connecting agricultural experts with smallholder farmers across Africa. With the African agriculture sector valued at over $30 billion, it's evident that agriculture is a vital economic contributor and essential for global food security. We strive to empower farmers and drive sustainable agricultural development through collaboration, knowledge sharing, and targeted support. With our globalized pool of experts, here's what you get: 1. Weekly brainstorming sessions 2. Cross-regional insights 3. Networking opportunities 4. Knowledge sharing and collaboration 5. Support for smallholder farmers 6. Field reports and publications 7. Policy updates etc. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our esteemed experts represented across Africa for joining and sharing their insights in our weekly discussions. Together, we expect to cover more groundbreaking topics and improve premium service delivery to our smallholder farmers. We are building a pool of African agricultural experts for gig economy opportunities. If you are an expert willing to collaborate and work with us, please register using the form below: https://lnkd.in/epqdDWXi For those joining our forum use this link: https://lnkd.in/dbp78dkt Share the link widely and join our weekly forum sessions. Let's revolutionize African agriculture together! #Agricultureexperts #sustainablefarming #knowledgesharing #mziziagriculture #smallholderFarmers #collaboration #agriInnovation #africaagriculture #mzizi #africa #climate #foodsecurity #agriculture

We are poorer and weaker in health than our forefathers because we have forgotten the food and crops that made them healthier and stronger. Many nutritious crops we know as children in Nigeria can no longer be found in today's market. We need to find those crops and research more about them as one of the ways to improve African food systems. I am interested and passionate about this course!

Only a third of the farms in Africa use modern crop varieties. This limited adoption can be attributed to the failure of plant breeders to develop varieties aligned with consumer demands. The Demand-Led Breeding (DLB) program, of which we are a part, is transforming crop production in Africa by prioritizing consumer demands. This approach empowers plant breeders to create varieties that meet the requirements of both farmers and markets. In a recent study in #Uganda, we discovered that: -         The top priorities for consumers are taste, cooking time, bean swelling, and grain color. -         72% of urban consumers are willing to pay more for reduced cooking time. -         Consumers growing beans for food and sale prioritize yield and climate resilience. -         Reducing cooking time leads to significant social savings in fuel, water, and time. -         Targeting women with promotional campaigns can stimulate demand for new varieties. Our focus on delivering varieties preferred by farmers and consumers is crucial for driving positive change in agriculture and adapting to evolving markets and production environments. #AgriculturalInnovation Learn more here: www.demandledbreeding.org Authors: Robert Asiimwe | enid katungi | Pricilla Marimo, Ph. D | Mukankusi Clare | Jean Claude (CIAT- A Rubyogo | vivienne anthony Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) | The Crawford Fund | The University of Queensland | African Centre for Crop Improvement | West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement | Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT | Pan African Bean Research Alliance

Million Belay, coordinator of Agroecology Fund's long-term partner Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa, offers a different vision for African farming in the face of a $61bn one size fits all Feed Africa Initiative that may undermine biodiversity and Indigenous agricultural practices in a recent op-ed for African Arguments. "Agroecology champions an agricultural development path that is ecologically sound, socially just, and rooted in participatory, place-based approaches. It is an effective alternative to the industrial model proposed by Dakar II that prioritises the preservation of our agricultural biodiversity, the empowerment of our communities, and the protection of smallholder farmers’ rights and livelihoods. Our call for a shift in the African Development Bank’s approach is not merely a critique but a constructive proposal towards a sustainable future for African agriculture. In this vision, our continent’s agricultural potential is realised not through the homogenization of our landscapes and practices, but through the celebration and nurturing of our diversity. "

In solving the persistent food crisis, it is important for governments, development banks and donors to not be blindsided by perverse agroindustrial corporate agendas, and instead focus on promoting sustainable pathways to a better future for all. Repetition of environmentally unsustainable large scale industrialised approaches that involve heavy reliance on corporate hybrid seed systems, imported inputs, GMOs, and large-scale monocropping, while ignoring the rich diversity of indigenous practices and needs is NOT the solution. Read about better pathways towards sustainable agrifood systems transformation in this excellent Op-Ed by Million Belay

West Africa is about to experience a revolution in #agriculture. A groundbreaking new initiative is tackling soil health across the region, paving the way for a brighter future for #farmers and the #economy. This programme focuses on improving the quality of #soil, the foundation of all healthy #crops. By focusing on this crucial factor, the initiative aims to: 🌽 Increase crop yields to feed local communities and generate surpluses for #export. 🌽Boost the quality of crops so they meet the high standards of international #markets. 🌽 Empower farmers to grow high-value specialty crops. This will not only improve food security but also create jobs, boost exports, and unlock the full potential of West African agriculture on the global stage. Want to learn more? Read our latest article for an exploration into this exciting initiative. https://lnkd.in/dQV89Cqc #WestAfrica #Agriculture #Sustainability #FoodSecurity #EconomicGrowth