AGRA

The journey to food security begins with good seeds. AGRA supported Rwanda Ministry of Agriculture & Animal Resources through a grant, whose aim was to build strong seed systems through research Rwanda National Seed Testing Laboratory. Before 2018, Rwanda was importing around 3,000 tonnes of hybrid maize seed, 800 of wheat and 700 tonnes of soybean. Four years into the project, local production of maize seeds increased to above 50 per cent of the demand. Jeanine Umfuyisoni, is a trained Plant Virologist and a Laboratory Manager at Rwanda National Seed Testing Laboratory. A Plant Virologist focuses on determining the epidemiology and population dynamics of known viruses as well as the discovery of novel plant viruses and implementation of appropriate diagnostic assays for their detection. Ms Umfuyisoni role is to ensure that RNST is churning high yield seeds to increase productions. There are only 1500 plant virologist from 86 countries in the world. Read More | www.agra.org | #YouthinAgriculture | #FoodSystems AGNES KALIBATA Sophie Nabuliri Henry Lagat

AGRA Tanzania Team in collaboration with USAID visited smallholder farmers in Mbeya Region, of Tanzania to assess the progress of the Africa Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative (AID-I). AID-I is part of the U.S. government’s global hunger and poverty initiative. The team visited the Hub of agro-dealer and rice processor, Kilawa Enterprise Ltd in Mbeya region. The company work on maize and rice value chains, through contract farming. Kilawa is working with a network of 70 retail agro-dealers, who are serving 20,000 smallholder farmers with an annual supply of 10,000MT of fertilizer. Kilawa created permanent employment of 10 people with 50 seasonal work opportunities, especially for women. The processing facility has at least 3,650MT annual supply for rice marketed domestically and is now expanding to Congo, Zambia, Botswana. This project is transforming livelihood in Mbeya. International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) Vianey Rweyendela CGIAR AGNES KALIBATA Aggie Asiimwe Konde Jonathan Said

Learning Session | Strengthening Regenerative Agriculture in Kenya (STRAK) ✅The project is funded by the IKEA Foundation & implemented by the #AGRA, in partnership with the Cereal Growers Association and Farm Africa, in four counties; Tharaka Nithi, Makueni, Kitui & Embu. ✅In the planting season, between October-December (OND) 2023; small holder farmers adopted two #regenerativeagriculture practices Manure + Microdosing and Manure + Mulching + Microdose combinations in the farms. ✅ The two approaches have consistently demonstrated the highest yields across multiple crop value chains and counties. ✅ Maize on-farm trials in Embu County, revealed that Manure + Mulch + Microdose treatment consistently yielded the highest Maize grain yield ✅ In Tharaka-Nithi County, Sorghum on-farm trials showcased the efficacy of RA practices, particularly with the application of Manure + Microdosing across various sub- counties. ✅ In Embu County, Soybean on-farm trials demonstrated that Manure + Mulch + Microdose treatment resulted in the highest yields in both Mbeere North and Mbeere South sub-counties. Specifically, Mbeere North achieved a yield of 0.37 t/ha, while Mbeere South recorded 0.26 t/ha. Read More | www.agra.org Dr. Mavuthu Kiwia Abednego John Macharia Mary N. Nyale Anthony Kioko Qureish Noordin Hamadi Boga Jean Jacques Mbonigaba Muhinda

Africa, with its immense potential, stands at a crucial juncture. Despite fertile lands and abundant resources, the continent grapples with food insecurity, malnutrition, and climate-related challenges. AGRA recognizes that sustainable solutions lie in strategic interventions that address both immediate needs and long-term resilience. In this issue, we delve into the work we are doing, to enhance food security across the continent; through multifaceted approaches such as tree planting, agricultural mechanization, and data-driven strategies to empower smallholder farmers and revolutionize Africa’s food systems. John Macharia The Rockefeller Foundation Davis Muthini Hello Tractor Jehiel Oliver

We're committed to supporting institutions in planting trees. Integrating nature and agriculture into education can significantly benefit both students’ health and the environment. Through our program, Nature Based Food and Land use in partnership with the Rockefeller Foundation, we conducted a tree planting exercise at G.K Kitengela Prison Primary School in Kenya. During the event, students actively participated in planting 400 fruit trees, including apples, mangoes and pixies. This initiative aims to improve nutrition by enhancing the students’ diets. The tree planting program, which advocates for environmental stewardship, aims to enhance the school grounds while instilling a sense of responsibility and care for our planet in the students. Betty Kibaara “School feeding programs have not only reduced malnutrition rates among learners by 15%, but they have also increased school attendance and improved learners’ cognitive abilities. These programs also promote access to markets for farmers who grow and sell produce to the schools.” John Macharia, “We have noted that the dropout rate when we provide meals in schools is zero. The program is also very beneficial to the children through its offering of high-iron beans and vitamin A maize. These nutrient-rich foods are especially important when you consider young adolescent girls and their need for iron and zinc-rich meals in their diets." Nancy Ledama Deputy Headteacher said, “This program has improved academic performance as well as enrollment and retainment of learners. Students have also become more active in class and are now quick to learn. We are humbled to have AGRA and the The Rockefeller Foundation Cup Of Uji Dr. Mavuthu Kiwia Abednego Sammy Okita

Meet one of our #VALUE4HER Women Agripreneurs of the Year Awards (#WAYA2024) finalist in the Female Ag-Tech category, Tumi Frazier from South Africa. Tumi is CEO and Co-founder at Fourth Wave Technology, a cleantech company that enables smallfarmers to implement data-driven and regenerative farming for precision, increased throughput, environmental longevity, profitability, and food secure communities. Join Frazier and the rest of our finalists as the winners are presented at this year’s @AFS Forum in Rwanda, from 2nd to 6th September. Register to join us in person at the Kigali Convention Centre https://agrf-inperson.com/

Day 3 | International Centre for Evaluation and Development (ICED) Evidence to Action Conference Join our climate experts at #E2A2024 conference in #Ghana. - Assan Ng'ombe will be moderating several sessions, & share critical nuggets on combating climate crisis - Tilahun Amede will be a panelist at the climate adaptation strategy session - Betty Simawua Annan, PhD #AGRAGhana will be giving local context on climate resilient strategies Join the conversation https://lnkd.in/dEkBtqMk Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa - FARA

Meet Christine Ager from Kenya, a finalist in the Women Empowerment Champion category of the #VALUE4HER Women Agripreneurs of the Year Awards #WAYA2024 Her company, vermi Farm  Initiative, tackles challenges faced by smallholder farmers, especially in rural Kenya. Christine and her team have developed a low-cost smart greenhouse technology that protects crops from extreme weather. Equipped with sensors and powered by machine learning, it also ensures optimal growing conditions for better crop yield. Register and join Christine and the rest of our finalists at this year’s AFS Forum  in Kigali Rwanda, from 2nd to 6th September. https://agrf-inperson.com/ 

Youth Climate Convening ✅Our collective goal is to see young entrepreneurs in Africa build sustainable businesses for themselves and generate viable green jobs ✅So that our young ones are not left behind in the inevitable green economy that the world will transitioning to ✅Climate change is not just a threat to our future, it is also a threat to our present and there is no time to wait for climate action in Africa Betty Simawua Annan, PhD A. Onyango Dr. Jeremiah Rogito Assan Ng'ombe #E2A2024

We are thrilled to announce the Top 15 finalists for this year’s #VALUE4HER Women Agripreneurs of the Year Awards #WAYA2024 Our finalists are drawn from Benin, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda. These women have showcased exceptional leadership, innovation, and commitment to community development through their impactful agribusiness ventures. The winners will be presented at this year’s @AFS Forum in Kigali Rwanda, from 2nd to 6th September. Register to join us in person at the Kigali Convention Centre https://agrf-inperson.com/