Simon Winter

Strong support today from Gerald G. Mweli, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Tanzania for upscaling agroecology in Tanzania’s strategy for food security, climate resilience, biodiversity and farmer incomes. “Agroecology is taking high speed in global conversations” “In Tanzania we will upscale ecological organic agriculture, through our NEOAS strategy to achieve our goals of food security, climate resilience, biodiversity, job creation and farm incomes. As noted from the scientific community, agroecology contributes to these goals.” “We have increased our agricultural budget by 5 times compared to three years ago. We must ensuring that whatever we are doing is enhancing sustatinability. “In our transformation agenda represented by our Agriculture Master Plan, we will increase our productivity, improve irrigation and water management, food exports including organic products, increase domestic seed production and reduce mismanagement of agrichemicals. One contributing strategy for these goals will be to increasing the land area with agroecology and climate smart agriculture by 2 million hectares by 2030. “ “We are the fifth largest producer of organic cotton in the world as documented by FiBL. We will be a leader in organic cotton” The messages came today at the opening of the "Cultivating Change Gathering" bringing together leaders in philanthropy, bi-lateral and multilateral donors, governments and civil society organisations working for food systems change through agroecology. The gathering in Arusha Tanzania is organized by the Global Alliance for the Future of Food, the Agroecology Coalition and Biovision Foundation. The Permanent Secretary detailed and supported the 6 core strategy interventions in Tanzania's National Ecological Organic Agriculture Strategy: ✅ Equipping farmers with latest knowledge on agroecology ✅ Increase availability of inputs—strengthening smallholders en access to seed, seedlings and fertilisers as alternatives to conventional fertilisers ✅ Expand market access for smallholder farmer, Participatory Guarantee Systems for local markets and organic grower groups to gain access to global markets, to improve incomes and drive transition to agroecology in farming. ✅ Mainstream village land use planning,  Protecting land for agriculture, and sensitizing local leaders to how agroecology helps them reach their local goals for food securlity, incomes and natural ressources. ✅ Improve access to finance products for smallholder farmers and supply chain actors ✅ Support for coordination and capacity building in civil society organization to drive implementation on the ground.

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One year on from the launch of the Alliance of Champions for Food Systems Transformation, we are celebrating the progress made by member countries, and urging governments and financial institutions at COP29 to prioritise climate finance for food systems. We are delighted that the Government of Tanzania has now announced its intention to join the Alliance, and we very much look forward to seeing what they achieve in partnership with existing members. Here is just a taste of what has been achieved by member countries in the last year: 🇧🇷 In Brazil, the promotion of sustainable agroforestry practices via a National Program for Productive Forests (Programa Nacional de Florestas Produtivas). 🇰🇭 In Cambodia, the deployment of 1,600 agriculture officers in agricultural communes across the country, developing modern agricultural cooperatives to improve access to markets, capital and water. 🇳🇴 In Norway, an annual policy dialogue with farming unions to negotiate policy measures that are tailored to farmers’ needs. 🇷🇼 In Rwanda, a commitment by 2030 to halve per capita food waste at the retail and consumer levels, and to reduce food losses in farm production and along supply chains. 🇸🇱 In Sierra Leone, the implementation of the national flagship ‘Feed Salone’ strategy to drive local food production sustainably. These examples show what’s possible when countries take a ‘whole of government’ approach to food systems transformation. Think of the impact that could be unlocked if more countries signed up to putting food at the centre of their climate action. Learn more at: https://lnkd.in/dmfsWs8j #COP29 #AllianceOfChampions #ActionOnFood CGIAR Chatham House Food and Land Use Coalition (FOLU) Silo Sok Kamila Janczyk Katie McCoshan Henry Musa Kpaka Dr. Alexandre Rutikanga (PhD., MAS., MSc., BSc.)

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This week, Alexander Valeton joined the panel discussion on the newly released report by 60 Decibels and Busara about #digitalpenetration in agriculture in #Kenya. The insights of this report are fresh and remarkable. In the panel discussion, we underlined the importance of #digitalservices to join forces and operate together to make it easier for farmers, harvest better and clean data and create a bigger impact at a lower cost and avoid annoyance at the farmer level for another survey, again another registration process and sharing data without knowing what happens and without clear incentives for them. Kuza One (Kuza Biashara), Dalberg Research SEZ Limited GIZ KenyaAGRAResearch Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBLfarmbetter CGIAR Mercy Corps AgriFin https://lnkd.in/gkXkNEWn

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The narrative around agriculture in Africa is often framed by myths that don’t fully capture the evolving reality on the ground. One common myth is that “The use of modern agricultural inputs, like fertilizers and improved seeds, remains dismally low across Africa.” 🤔 But is this really true? Recent findings reveal that while some modern inputs are underutilized, the adoption of inorganic fertilizers, in particular, is on the rise across Sub-Saharan Africa. Many farmers are now investing in external inputs to boost their productivity and improve crop yields. However, the road to transformation is still marked by challenges. Mechanization, efficient water management, and access to improved seeds remain significant hurdles. This gradual shift signals a positive change and reflects the resilience and adaptability of African farmers in their quest for better yields. Explore more about the myths versus facts in African agriculture here: https://lnkd.in/d8p7xRBn I found this article very interesting...

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This piece: "To address challenges like recent floods and soil degradation, focusing on improving soil health is key. Initiating soil testing and profiling can guide targeted interventions effectively." Sometimes, we must accept nature's course, as floods cannot be entirely controlled by soil improvements. Instead, forecasting heavy rains and implementing water management techniques can help prevent the damage caused by flooding. Techniques to combat land degradation, such as trenches and terracing, can also reduce the severity of floods. It is important to remember that floods, aside from those originating from lakes or oceans, primarily stem from high mountains, providing a clue to addressing many flooding issues.

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Change is coming to food systems near you! In a major step today for climate, food security, farmer livelihoods and biodiversity, the global Agroecology Coalition launched a new strategy to rapidly accelerate the transition of food systems through agroecology. In just three years, the Coalition has united over 50 nations, UN institutions and regional unions (EU, African Union), scientific and philanthropic leaders as well as 130 NGOs, Civil society-, farmer-led and indigenous peoples’ organizations to build momentum for transforming food systems through agroecology. The strategy builds on the deepest, worldwide consultative process I have ever been involved in. Together with the strong team at the Coalition secretariat, Faris Ahmed and I had the task of harvesting and consolidating massive input from the incredibly diverse and insightful membership, and testing strategic elements with all actors. The task was a “licence to learn” and the result reflects decades of hands-on experience on all continents. Now the strategy is approved by the membership and launched today! An important milestone and tool for the global movement for agroecology, uniting the actors needed to drive transformative change. Find links to the strategy, more info about the coalition and who its members are in the comments below. The work is bolstered by global good news: scientific recognition by the UN climate panel IPCC, FAO, IFAD and the World Food Security Committee of agroecology as a driver for climate resilience, food and nutrition security and gains for equity and biodiversity The Strategy’s five core objectives are to: ✔  Foster increased investments in agroecology: a ten-fold increase is needed. ✔  Advocate for and amplify supportive policies at the national and global levels ✔   Support and promote fair and equitable market pathways for agroecological products. ✔  Facilitate co-creation and sharing of knowledge and best practices ✔   Support, engage and strengthen members capacities and opportunities to accelerate change The strategy also includes a concise situational analysis of the opportunities and challenges for upscaling agroecology today. Among them: 💡    Growing momentum and space for agroecology 💡    Food Systems and multidimensionel solutions like agroecology are being elevated 💡   Funding for Agroecology is on the rise, but new models are needed. 💡   Hard competition between transformative and more incremental approaches that are locked into current degenerative systems 💡    Underutilized market opportunities and models 💡    Increasing recognition of the catalytic role of local food system actors, and the need to invest in strengthening their capacities to drive change in fields, policy and markets. 💡    Growing experience and focus on the catalytic role of national policies for agroecology #agroecology #organicfarming #AgroecologyWorks #AgroecologyNow #FoodSystems

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🚛 Post-Harvest Challenges: A critical yet often overlooked threat to #FoodSecurity. 1️⃣ Poor storage and inadequate transport cause food loss, impacting food bank donations. 2️⃣ Particularly in regions lacking cold chain systems, fresh food is lost. At Food Banking Kenya, we’re raising awareness to reduce waste and ensure every meal counts. Stay tuned to www.foodbankingkenya.org as we explore more stages of the food supply chain in the coming days! #FoodForChange #ZeroFoodWaste #PostHarvest #SustainableSupplyChain

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Congratulations to all stakeholders engaged for the launch of the National Agroecology Strategy and Food System Transformation . Let's all work together to implement the strategy to transform Kenya's food production systems in view of challenges related to hazards and risks related to climate change, declining soil fertility and low knowledge and skill in sustainable agriculture #geepkenya.#slowfookenya#L4CKenya#gatunyuconvivium#AgroecologyNow#nurturefirst

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IFPRI's Randomized Control Trial proves that TechnoServe's Coffee Farm College increased coffee tree yields by 18% for 33,000 smallholder farming families in Uganda. A good result considering the 2-year training started in August 2019 and was badly affected by covid-19 restrictions that stopped group training for 9 months. A few interesting learnings: 1. There was no evidence that the improvement in coffee yield was offset by a decline in households’ cash income from other sources or less food crop production; 2. Sending farmers recorded phone messages that reinforced training content had no impact on coffee yields of farmers trained by TechnoServe; and, 3. The RCT evaluation cost over $3 million, more than the budget to train 33,000 households. That may seem shocking, but demonstrates the investment required for a high-quality RCT of this kind, and why such evaluations are so rare.

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🇺🇬 Call for all Seed Experts in Uganda 🇺🇬 With Eden Seeds, Rootical is co-founding a farmer-owned, decentralised indigenous seed company. Luwemba Emmanuel, Isaac Muhofa and I are looking to talk to Uganda's most renowned technical and legal seed experts. 🌾 Indigenous seeds: we position local heirloom seeds as a viable, more adapted and performant alternative next to hybrid, imported varieties. 🌱 Decentralised: we source Eden seeds from seed producers affiliated to community seed banks and supply them directly to agro-input shops in the area. 👩🏾‍🌾 Farmer-owned: Emma is a farmer himself, and wants to gradually transfer ownership and decision making power to the seed producers that are the heart of Eden Seeds already. While we want to comply with all legal frameworks, our model is also set to re-invent how seed is produced and commercialised in Uganda. Our main questions: How do we fit into all regulations and legal frameworks? Without loosing our innovative set-up and simply becoming another centralised seed company? What is the best road to certification? And how do we circumvent the apparent need for centralisation? ➡ ➡ If you know the answer or think you can help, please reach out! By the way, Rootical is recruiting a new Cohort of Future Founders, apply now via our website: rootical dot org.

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🌍 Fairtrade Week Some unsettling News from Ivory Coast during the Fairtrade International week. 🔍 Key Development: The Fairtrade cocoa program in Ivory Coast has been temporarily suspended. This measure comes in response to suspicions that the supply chain might be contaminated with non-certified beans. The Ivorian regulator's decision was triggered by an abnormally high volume of Fairtrade-certified cocoa transactions, which hinted at possible irregularities. 💔 Impact on Fairtrade: This incident underscores significant challenges within third-party sustainability certification schemes. 👥 Discussion Point: However, before jumping to conclusions it is of great importance to understand what has been going on. Echoing the thoughts of Sanne Steemers, we must consider whether this situation arose from genuine fraudulent activity or if it reflects an unmet demand in the Fairtrade market previously unnoticed. It has been noted before that a significant portion of Fairtrade certified products, including cocoa, do not always end up being sold on Fairtrade terms due to a demand-supply mismatch.... #Fairtrade #Sustainability #CocoaIndustry #Agriculture #EthicalTrading

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WACCI has been selected as one of three hubs for the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS) Capacity Building Program. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dhfW2gJC

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🌿 SNV Rwanda and Kenya hosted a three-day learning event to reflect on the achievements and lessons learned from the Regenerative Agricultural Practices for Improved Livelihoods and Markets (REALMS) project. This collaborative effort brought together farmers, SMEs, researchers, government agencies and donors to discuss the project's impact on farmers' livelihoods, markets and the policy environment. Since 2021, REALMS has focused on transforming agricultural practices in Kenya and Rwanda through three key pathways: practices, markets and enabling environment. The event reviewed achievements, challenges and opportunities for scaling and sustaining regenerative agriculture (RA) practices. 💡 As a learning organisation, SNV fosters a culture that emphasises knowledge sharing and continuous improvement, essential for driving systems transformation. 🎯 Key takeaways from the learning event: ✅ Collecting long-term data will help demonstrate the positive impacts of regenerative agricultural practices and drive their adoption. ✅ Supporting farmer advocacy is key to influencing policy changes that create an enabling environment for regenerative practices. ✅ Strengthening collaboration between public and private partners is essential to develop robust certification standards for regenerative agricultural inputs and services. Nico Janssen's reflection on the REALMS project- 'When we started REALMS, we aimed to transform food systems through regenerative, circular and inclusive principles. Over four years we've worked with farmers and stakeholders to create a process that benefits people, nature and the environment. REALMS continues to pave the way for a better future for food systems.' Patrick KARANGWA (PhD), added - 'RA is critical to Rwanda's sustainable food systems, especially given our hilly terrain that is prone to erosion. RA principles offer a sustainable solution to reverse soil degradation and build a resilient agricultural future.' Click here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eTdmxm-H to learn more about the REALMS project.   IKEA Foundation Bopinc INKOMOKO Fridah Gacheri Flor de María Prado Rivera

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