Why the elite should stop imposing their expectations on smallholder farmers

Posted on by eMKambo

Bankers expect smallholder farmers to repay loans at a particular interest. For economists, African smallholder farmers are supposed to master return on investment. Nutritionists expect smallholder farmers to be food scientists just as agronomists and livestock specialists expect smallholder farmers to think and act like scientists. NGOs promoting farmer field schools see farmers as learners Read more about Why the elite should stop imposing their expectations on smallholder farmers[…]

How to move from ordinary to best agricultural practices

Posted on by eMKambo

‘Best practice’ is not even a mouthful but what it means in practice remains unclear to many people who use the phrase. In African agriculture, it takes a lot for a farmer or trader to become a best practitioner.  Most value chain actors face challenges in identifying sufficient quality evidence that can be translated into Read more about How to move from ordinary to best agricultural practices[…]

When it’s counter-productive for development agencies to insert their banners in rural communities

Posted on by eMKambo

After taking their good intentions to the grassroots and supporting rural communities to build dams, irrigation schemes, clinics, dip tanks and market sheds, many development agencies are fond of putting their banners at such community assets. While there might be nothing wrong with external organizations announcing their presence in particular communities, inserting banners complete with Read more about When it’s counter-productive for development agencies to insert their banners in rural communities[…]

The role of baseline studies in anchoring local solutions and resilience

Posted on by eMKambo

In addition to unearthing community resilience and coping mechanisms, baseline studies can be good at identifying relevant partners and local expertise. A lot of market infrastructure in many African countries has remained unused because construction has not been adequately informed by baseline studies. Absence of baseline data also leads to mismatches between production and market Read more about The role of baseline studies in anchoring local solutions and resilience[…]

To what extent can a few beneficiaries transform a whole community?

Posted on by eMKambo

To what extent can a few beneficiaries transform a whole community? Due to limited resources, among other reasons, development interventions often work with a few targeted beneficiaries hoping that knew knowledge or practices can trickle to the entire community. For instance, in a community of more than 1000 households, an intervention can support 50 households Read more about To what extent can a few beneficiaries transform a whole community?[…]

Understanding African food systems through public transport

Posted on by tanyaradzwa

Understanding African food systems through public transport African public transport systems such as long-distance buses can be the best way of appreciating components of an African food basket as well as different pathways through which African food moves from production areas to consumption zones.  For instance, food that moves from rural areas to urban markets Read more about Understanding African food systems through public transport[…]

Developing countries that depend on external inputs are still colonized

Posted on by tanyaradzwa

Developing countries that depend on external inputs are still colonized Countries whose environment is not ideal for food production but have resources like minerals and oil can afford use those resources in importing food and living a healthy life. Such countries are not as colonized as those that depend on external inputs to produce their Read more about Developing countries that depend on external inputs are still colonized[…]

Travelling to rural areas by bus can transform the mindsets of African leaders

Posted on by tanyaradzwa

Travelling from capital cities to rural areas using public transport like long distance buses could go a long way in inculcating servant leadership in African presidents and ministers. Such experiences would also lead to better people-oriented policies. Imagine the President of Zimbabwe boarding Zvishandwa Bus Service at Mbare Bus Terminus in Harare on the way Read more about Travelling to rural areas by bus can transform the mindsets of African leaders[…]

Of agroecology and related terminologies that hogged the limelight in 2023

Posted on by tanyaradzwa

Of agroecology and related terminologies that hogged the limelight in 2023 The year 2023 saw agroecology receiving a lot of attention as one of the main proposed solutions for combating climate change in harmony with nature. However, like many other buzzwords, agroecology continues to be diluted, generalized and coopted before its full potential can be Read more about Of agroecology and related terminologies that hogged the limelight in 2023[…]

Financial systems must be sensitive to local contexts and local knowledge

Posted on by tanyaradzwa

Financial systems must be sensitive to local contexts and local knowledge There are several reasons why development-oriented financial systems should adapt to local contexts and local knowledge systems especially in African countries. When used in a sensitive manner, financial systems have power to redistribute, recognize and represent power in ways that enhance human dignity. They Read more about Financial systems must be sensitive to local contexts and local knowledge[…]

How African markets are defining and expanding Nature Based Food Systems

Posted on by tanyaradzwa

How African markets are defining and expanding Nature Based Food Systems Among several climate mitigation approaches under discussion at this year’s United Nations Climate Summit (COP28) in Dubai from 30 November to 12 December 2023 is Nature-Based Solutions (NBS). While the notion of NBS focuses mostly on the food production side including forest management, African Read more about How African markets are defining and expanding Nature Based Food Systems[…]