KEVIN CHIKA URAMA

The Humphrey Global Leadership Forum (GLF) 2024 which took place from the 21st to the 25th of October at Hamilton Hotel in Washington DC, USA brought together all Humphrey 2024/25 cohort doing their Professional Development with 13 universities in the USA. A total of 142 fellows of which 55% are women, 44% men highlighting a deliberate effort towards advancing Women Empowerment at a Global Level. Fellows were drawn from developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The summit was a packed event deliberating on global challenges and solutions with presentations by the USA Department of State's various departments, private sector, civic sector, academia and also alumni of the Hubert Humphrey fellowship. My key takeaways from the week include: 1. International collaboration for impact depends upon national and individual capacities. Above all, it depends upon getting out of one's comfort zone. 2. Do what you love! Love what you do 3. The ability to listen, compromise and collaborate with opponents is very important for a leader (a lesson shared from the life of late statesman Hubert Horatio Humphrey) 4. There is indeed a global drive towards "going back to basics' in agriculture, pushed by the inevitable pain of Climate Change. It was interesting to learn about the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils being championed by the United States Agency for International Development in partnership with the African Union (AU), the Food and Agriculture organization of the United Nations (FAO), academia and other stakeholders. The program seeks to advance investment, research and multi sector action to promote Indigenous and Traditional Food Crops (ITFCs) for better climate resilience and food security by African countries. The networking and experiential learning was intense and indeed empowering. Cornell University Cornell Global Development Institute of International Education Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Women in Farming and Entrepreneurship (WIFE) Women's University in Africa Nkosikhona Dibiti SNV Penelope Nyaradzo Musundire Blessing Magonziwa (PhD) Obert Jiri Veronica N. Gundu- Jakarasi Dorothy Rutendo Mushayavanhu Dorothy Hove UN Women Ministry of Women Affairs, Community Small and Medium Enterprises Development

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The challenges of educational planning in Nigeria include inadequate funding, shortage of educational planners, lack of data/information, shortage of planning materials, political influence, political instability, and poor capacity development of educational planners.

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🌱 Innovations in Agrifood Systems: Cultivating a Sustainable Future for Africa🌱 Africa's booming population demands innovative solutions to feed its growing cities. Thankfully, a wave of agrifood advancements is transforming the continent's agricultural landscape! From Tech-Savvy Farmers to Youthful Entrepreneurs Digital Revolution in Fields: Forget back-breaking labour - mobile apps and drones are empowering farmers with real-time data and precision techniques, boosting yields and optimizing resource use. Imagine a farmer using a smartphone app to get instant weather forecasts or a drone to monitor crop health! Climate Warriors Climate change is a threat, but Africa is fighting back! Innovative practices like conservation agriculture and water-saving irrigation are helping farmers adapt and thrive in a changing climate. From Farm to Shelf Value-added processing is creating new opportunities. Small businesses are transforming local produce into high-value products like packaged snacks and beverages, generating jobs and boosting local economies. Blockchain Revolution This technology is bringing transparency to food chains. By tracking products from farm to fork, blockchain ensures food safety, reduces fraud, and builds consumer trust. Youth as Changemakers Africa's young population isn't just a challenge - it's a wellspring of innovation! Young entrepreneurs are harnessing technology to create e-commerce platforms connecting farmers to markets and developing urban farming solutions like hydroponics. Cultivating a Brighter Future Together These agrifood innovations are not just about food security, they're about a sustainable future. By collaborating, investing, and supporting these initiatives, we can scale them up and ensure widespread adoption. Together, let's build a thriving, resilient agrifood sector that nourishes Africa's communities and protects our planet. 🌱What are your thoughts on these exciting advancements?🌱 Share your ideas on how we can further unlock the transformative power of agrifood innovation in Africa! #AgrifoodInnovation #SustainableAgriculture #AfricaRising

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🫡Women continue to be the backbone of agriculture and food systems in Ghana. ☀️The past couple of days have been inspiring for me as we go round visiting demonstration trials that the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement has established in communities in the Northern sector of Ghana. 👨‍🌾 I can say for a fact that farmers know the technology, and are ready to utilize them but I have come to realize the three key elements that prevent farmers from adopting them. These include : 📍Accessibility 📍Affordability 📍Sustainability 🚜The work being done continues to enhance accessibility, with a focus on improved maize varieties, such as those released by WACCI. This we are doing through the demonstration trials which allows us to show the potential of our hybrid, Aburo Legon 🌽, and also train them on required protocols for high yields. USAID AGRA

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UWI Pelicans - As regional Director for the One UWI Responsible Futures Programme (OURFP) which is integrating Sustainability (with an SDG focus) across all 5 campuses in a phased, one institution approach, I am pleased to highlight that the UWI Global Institute for Climate-Smart and Resilient Development (GICSRD) is inviting proposals for the Just Rural Transition Support programme by 28 January 2025, to create and support a global community of practice of non-state actors to engage on issues related to sustainable agriculture and the food systems transition. Negative climate change impacts will make Food Security more crucial in coming years and this grant is a component of the FCDO’s Just Rural Transition Support programme, which is a £65 million 5-year programme that will support the design and implementation of public policies and support (including through subsidy reforms) that scale sustainable agriculture approaches in developing countries. It will benefit: 1. people (healthy diets, incomes) 2. climate (mitigation, adaptation) 3. nature (protect and restore biodiversity) For details visit: https://lnkd.in/efn8TEex Dr. John Charlery and Ms. Neisha Manickchand drive GISCRD, a university ecosystem committed to excellence in teaching, research and collaboration that informs policy formulation, advances advocacy and facilitates a Caribbean climate resilient zone. For more information visit: https://uwi.edu/gicsrd/ #pelicanpride #uwisustainability #climateadvocacy David Smith Dale Webber Anna Perkins Justin Robinson Francis SeverinShavar Maloney Curtis Clennon Rol-J W. Shakeem Howell Erica Clother Sonya Peres Oliver Yu H.

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Urban and Peri-Urban Governance for Food Security and Nutrition in Windhoek: The recent report from the Committee on World Food Security and the High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition (HLPE-FSN) underscores the significance of inclusive and multi-level governance in addressing urban and peri-urban food security and nutrition. This is particularly relevant to my research on examining governance structures and stakeholder collaboration in urban agriculture within Windhoek through a polycentric governance framework. The report emphasises the importance of inclusive and multi-level governance for urban and peri-urban food security and nutrition. Inclusive governance involving government, civil society, research institutions, and the private sector can diversify perspectives and enhance the resilience of the food system. National governments are urged to increase financing and capacity for local and urban governments to address urban food system challenges. Coherent and coordinated policies across different levels of government and sectors are crucial for an effective urban food strategy. These insights reinforce the importance of a polycentric governance approach in urban agriculture and provide a robust framework for research in Windhoek.  #foodsecurity #foodsystemstransformation #polycentricgovernance https://lnkd.in/dku6y3rw

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Environmental justice and climate Change Policies for Developing Green Economy for Africa's Growth and Sustainability can be a game changer Africa. Climate change has placed a huge extra burden on the development of an already disadvantaged continent and its people. Climate change affects the whole world and can only be addressed successfully by transforming the global development agenda – economic, social and environment– with the active participation of all countries and people in the world. Investment for green growth needs to be scaled-up significantly–Green Economy's growth therefore means fostering growth and development while preserving natural assets, and ensuring that they continue to provide the resources and environmental services on which our well-being relies. Youthup Global Advocacy Workshop 2024 is intended to contribute to this effort to raise awareness and nurture the discussion on sustainable development paths for Africa like the green economy in the face of a changing climate. Join the biggest conversation on zoom. https://lnkd.in/dFA7qnXc Meeting ID: 867 6854 9130 Passcode: 628291 18th June, 2024, 5:00 pm - 7.00 pm WAT

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Contribution to the future of sustainable agriculture in Africa will remain a priority for the continent. This recquires scientific based initiatives such as this.

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Make Informed decisions

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As an environmentalist that’s concerned about food security I attended the national agricultural climate change summit on agriculture and food security This summit was really enlightening, we learnt about the work the ministry of agriculture, the research institute of Nigeria and the Nigeria meteorological agency were doing to help improve food security in Nigeria This event was put together by GIZ and it was rich, we had other guest speaker where we learnt about climate finance and how it can be assessed and also the voluntary carbon market in Nigeria and how beneficial it can also be to farmers, we also studied the historical rainfall pattern in Nigeria and future predictions if we don’t take action I really do hope suggestions made at this conference will be implemented to help Nigeria to be food secured #foodsecurity #climatechange #conference #summit

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Agriculture thrives where water flows: how Ghana is failing to utiise irrigation for food production By Wisdom JONNY-NUEKPE Adequate agricultural production for food & nutrition security and better incomes for farmers and rural inhabitants represents key development objectives for many nations – and they are most crucial in Africa. Water is critical for food production and its use now and in the future, being a major determinant of whether the […] https://lnkd.in/dSQRuqDj

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from the fields where we implement climate smart farming to the board room where we take a seat at the decision making table on policy issues on climate change adaptation and resilience at the county level

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The year of Political Brand Architecture (PBA) theory (Mensah, 2011; 2017). NPP unleashes Kufour as an endorser brand to target the apathy in the party’s base and the Ashanti vote. The NDC rallies the Umbrella, the party’s symbol, as a descriptor brand to fight perceived ballot paper position issues amongst OAP voter segments. #PoliticalMarketing #PoliticalBranding #PBA #Pumpup 💪🏿

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DIGITAL AGRICULTURE: FARMING THE FUTURE OF SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN Sub-Saharan Africa is on the cusp of an agricultural revolution, and technology is its driving force. With a burgeoning population and the pressing need for food security, digital innovations are transforming traditional farming practices into high-tech, sustainable operations. Mobile Magic Smartphones are no longer just for social media; they're becoming essential tools for farmers. Apps and platforms are providing real-time weather updates, market prices, and expert advice, empowering farmers to make data-driven decisions that boost yields and income. Precision Farming: A Pixel-Perfect Harvest Imagine farming with the accuracy of a surgeon. That’s precision agriculture. By harnessing satellites, drones, and data analytics, farmers can optimize every inch of their land. From monitoring soil health to predicting pest outbreaks, this technology is revolutionizing how we grow food. Drones: The Farmer’s New Best Friend These aerial workhorses are transforming farm management. Drones can survey vast fields in minutes, detect crop diseases, and even deliver essential supplies. With real-time data at their fingertips, farmers can make informed decisions faster than ever before. Blockchain: Trust and Transparency in Every Bite From farm to table, blockchain is ensuring transparency and trust in the food supply chain. By tracking products through every step, consumers can be confident in the origin and quality of their food. This also empowers farmers to access premium markets and fair prices. IoT: Farming Smarter, Not Harder With sensors monitoring everything from soil moisture to temperature, farmers can optimize resource use and reduce waste. IoT technology is turning farms into data-rich environments, allowing for precise irrigation, fertilization, and pest control. Agri-Fintech: Cultivating Financial Growth Access to finance is a major hurdle for many farmers. Agri-fintech solutions are changing that by providing loans, insurance, and savings products tailored to the agricultural sector. This financial empowerment is helping farmers invest in their businesses and build resilience. AI: The Future of Farming is Here Artificial intelligence is bringing unprecedented intelligence to the farm. By analyzing vast amounts of data, AI can predict weather patterns, identify diseases, and optimize crop yields. It's the ultimate farming assistant, helping farmers make smarter decisions and increase profitability. The digital transformation of agriculture in SSA is not just about technology; it's about empowering farmers, improving food security, and building a sustainable future. By embracing these innovations, the region can unlock its full agricultural potential and feed its growing population. Are you ready to join the digital agriculture revolution? Share your thoughts and experiences below. #digitalagriculture #agritech #SSA #agriculture #farming #foodsecurity #innovation #technology

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We made it !! Our roundtable discussions at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) and State University of Zanzibar (SUZA) in Tanzania. Thanks to our hosts Prof Esron Karimuribo and Dr Abdalla I. Ali, and co-authors Prof Spies and Ms Nxumalo!!!! The article is now on Taylor & Francis Online, published in Open Access. Full article: The importance of litigating the right to access sufficient food: Equal Education v Minister of Basic Education (tandfonline.com)

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Food for thought. We are all feeding the global future in one way or another. Our world is one community and evaluating the intention vs impact our local strategies will have across the global community should be included for analysis. This will help to ensure we are feeding the future to health for all and not adding unnecessary pressure on community organizations in the years to come. Great work USAID & partners via the RRA program in countering the economic impact of inflation fueled by the Ukraine-Russia conflict, the intervention supported marginalized communities in rural Nigeria. Seeing through a global impact lens is seeing the big picture it’s inclusivity without borders.

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