At the heart of CTA programmes lies the promotion of the enterprising spirit of youth and the creation of jobs in rural environments, which have benefitted from ICTs. Other opportunities arise as a result, including the use of digital apps and the promotion of climate-smart farming practices.
In addition, the data compiled in the report demonstrates that these actions are successfully reaching their target audience; entrepreneurs from 14 countries have benefitted from training in the use of drones and no less than 50 cooperatives from Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo have had their members trained in good governance. In Eastern and Southern Africa, CTA’s Data4Ag project has had 86,298 registrations and in Ethiopia and Kenya, 10,827 farmers signed up for livestock insurance.
The annual Pitch AgriHack competition, organised by CTA since 2013, has also enabled more than 1 million farmers to benefit from the services of the participating start-ups. This year, female entrepreneurs were particularly successful: 14 of the 26 starts-ups that reached the final – and half of the companies that went on to receive awards – were managed by women. The annual report provides details of landmark projects, from job creation amongst West African rice growers, and empowerment of young workers (especially women) to transform Kenyan agriculture, to increasing yields and benefits in Uganda, or the revitalisation of island farming in Samoa. In the context of climate change, CTA has promoted the use of weather updates, livestock and crop insurance, as well as the use of more resistant seeds in order to improve smallholder resilience.
The lessons learnt from these different projects
have enabled participants to reap long-term benefits. Improved post-harvest
practices for maize in Rwanda, improved market access for fruit and vegetable
growers in Zanzibar, and the promotion of soya production in Uganda are just a
few of the projects that have benefited from workshops where experiences have
been shared, and which cost little to organise.
Yanne Boloh
CTA 2018, A Year in Review:
transformation for high performance agriculture.
By C Pye-Smith (coordinator), A Legroscollard &
M Vandreck
CTA, 2019; 48 pp.
ISBN: 978-92-9081-649-2
In this issue
Michael Hailu: “Digitalisation: a game changer in transforming smallholder agriculture”
As CTA launch a landmark report on digitalisation in agriculture in Africa, Michael Hailu, director of CTA highlights his hopes that the report will help inform other actors and inspire and engage investors by identifying impact and investment opportunities in this critical sector.
Digitalisation: an important lever for agricultural transformation
by Anne Legroscollard and Murielle Vandreck
In the 48 pages of their annual report, CTA demonstrates the extent to which their actions in support of digitalisation contribute to agricultural transformation in ACP countries. “It is becoming increasingly evident that a strong focus on digitalisation as a means to drive agricultural transformation is bearing dividends in the forms of increased production, better livelihoods, more efficient value chains and ultimately greater food and nutrition security,” is the message from Michael Hailu, CTA Director.
Zimbabwe commercialises its indigenous crops
A specialised research organisation in Zimbabwe is identifying and developing locally available and underutilised plant species into marketable products.
Renewable technology confronts Kenya’s food waste
Mobile refrigerated units, powered using solar energy, are providing farmers with an opportunity to preserve their produce at a convenient time and place.
Opportunities in Agriculture: Stemming youth migration
Africa’s growing youth workforce presents enormous potential for agricultural transformation, but to capitalise on this promising resource the sector must become a more attractive employment option for the continent’s young people.
Fixing food systems for environmental sustainability
by James Thorp
Two reports and a new book highlight how food can be used to meet the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Face au climat, l’Afrique saisit sa chance
Confronté à de nombreux défis, le continent peut capitaliser une décennie de progrès et de croissance économique pour transformer son agriculture.
The Solomon Islands rediscover the taste of honey
Following destruction of the entire bee population by parasites in the 2000s, the Solomon Islands has now restarted its honey production, and has its sights set on the export market.
A zonal approach stimulates Madagascar’s organic sector
The development of zones dedicated to organic farming in Madagascar is increasing local adoption of the technique and generating higher incomes for small-scale farmers.
Analysing global hunger
The 2019 Global Report on Food Crises: Joint Analysis for Better Decisions is a product of the Global Network against Food Crises. It is the result of a collaborative effort involving 15 leading global and regional institutions – including the EU, FAO and WFP – to share data, analyses, knowledge and expertise regarding people facing food crises.
“We need to put food systems high on the political agenda”
Leonard Mizzi, Head of Unit at the European Commission, Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development, highlights the critical role of integrated action and collaboration in order to address the challenges raised by the latest global report on food crises.
Job creation: Agriculture’s potential to mitigate youth migration
As waves of young people leave their rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa in search of better work, can the agricultural sector provide the employment opportunities that they’re looking for?
Stemming youth migration: Improving agriculture’s employment opportunities
Africa’s growing youth workforce presents enormous potential for agricultural transformation, but to capitalise on this promising resource the sector must become a more attractive employment option for the continent’s young people.
Reality TV shapes up young farming in Eastern Africa
Agricultural TV shows that provide information on how to start an agribusiness are encouraging youths in Kenya and Tanzania to consider farming as a lucrative career choice.
Good farming practices help turn the tide on youth migration
A cereal production and marketing programme is substantially boosting smallholders’ incomes, making the agricultural sector much more attractive to young people. As a consequence, youth migration has decreased.
Sithembile Ndema Mwamakamba: Prioritising youth engagement in technology and innovation
by James Thorp
A programme manager for climate-smart agriculture at the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN), Sithembile Ndema Mwamakamba has a passion for working with and supporting African youth.
Blended finance funds impact African agriculture
Impact investment funds are fast becoming the vehicle of choice for governments and donors looking to invest in African agriculture and encourage private sector investors to do the same.
“Digitalisation of agriculture will leapfrog challenges women farmers face”
Deputy director for Agricultural Development, Global Growth & Opportunity at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Enock Chikava, highlights the key role of the public and private sectors to deliver agricultural digitalisation to connect smallholder farmers at scale.
Chilli exports challenge Rwanda’s post-harvest losses
by Aimable Twahirwa and Sophie Reeve
Young entrepreneur Diego Dieudonné Twahirwa is supplying global markets with his dry chilli and chilli oil products, whilst providing a ready market for local farmers.
Cycling for organic cocoa in Côte d’Ivoire
by Sophie Reeve and Cléophas Mosala
Innovative technologies in West Africa are reducing the environmental impacts of cocoa processing, and increasing farmer resilience to climate change.
In the 48 pages of their annual report, CTA demonstrates the extent to which their actions in support of digitalisation contribute to agricultural transformation in ACP countries. “It is becoming increasingly evident that a strong focus on digitalisation as a means to drive agricultural transformation is bearing dividends in the forms of increased production, better livelihoods, more efficient value chains and ultimately greater food and nutrition security,” is the message from Michael Hailu, CTA Director.
