Solidaridad West Africa

This week, the #NISCOPS Nigeria Forum (NNF), an advisory body to the National Initiatives for Sustainable and Climate-Smart Oil Palm Smallholders programme, held its quarterly meeting in Abuja to assess the programme's progress across the implementing states. The NNF, established in 2019 during the programme's first phase, comprises directors from federal and state ministries of agriculture and environment, representatives from the Nigeria Oil Palm Research Institute (NIFOR), National Research Partners (NRP), the Oil Palm Growers Association of Nigeria (OPGAN), and the Plantation Owners Forum of Nigeria (POFON). These stakeholders come together quarterly to evaluate the programme’s progress and provide strategic guidance. The National Initiatives for Sustainable and Climate-Smart Oil Palm Smallholders programme is implemented by Solidaridad West Africa and IDH across five states in Nigeria. It is funded by Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken (Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Gabriel Fapojuwo, Ernest Ita, Pita Ochai

Exciting News! To support capacity-building for more #ruralwomen to invest in responsible agriculture in Sierra Leone, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has developed a manual titled, "Empowering Rural Women to Engage in Responsible Agricultural Investments in Sierra Leone". Developed in collaboration with Solidaridad West Africa, this manual will support organizations in empowering rural women across Sierra Leone to engage in responsible #agricultural investments. The manual includes illustrations, videos, and interviews. Download it here 👉 https://lnkd.in/dNf4yP-q

Discover how the Village Savings and Loans Association (#VSLA) scheme helped Shaawa Mohammed turn a 700,000 naira loan into a thriving foodstuffs business now worth 2.6 million naira! Her story highlights the challenges #smallholder #farmers face and the transformative impact of #innovative #financial #inclusion initiatives like the Village Savings and Loans Association scheme. Shaawa was a participant in the Sustainable Development Goal Project (SDGP) funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Uncover the full story here: Kenechukwu Chudi Onukwube, Ernest Ita, Pita Ochai, Ogochukwu Precious Akunna, Owai Egong

For the past 14 years, Mukaba Magaji, a #maize #farmer, faced numerous challenges in his pursuit of a successful #harvest. He struggled with low-quality seeds, poor soil fertility and traditional farming techniques, all of which contributed to low yields. His annual average harvest was just 20 bags of 100 kilogrammes of maize—barely enough to support his family and provide for his children's education. However, his harvest improved when Mukaba became a participant in the Acting Now project in his community, Jenua, Kubau local government area, Kaduna state of Nigeria. The project equipped him with essential skills and knowledge in good agricultural practices such as proper soil management, crop rotation, pest control, and high-quality seed selection. With this newfound knowledge, Mukaba embraced change and adapted his farming methods. The impact was remarkable. For the last farming season, Mukaba harvested an impressive 40 bags of 100 kilogrammes of maize from the same plot of land, doubling his #yield. "The community facilitators under the Acting Now project built our capacity in good agricultural practices; the project also provided us with high-quality seeds. My harvest has doubled from last year’s dry season farming when I adopted these practices," Mukaba shared proudly. Mukaba’s success story is not an isolated case. The Acting Now project has engaged 23,000 smallholder farmers across Nigeria, supporting the #sustainable production of fish, potatoes, maize, fruits, and vegetables in Kaduna, Kano, Plateau, and Ogun states. This project, funded by Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken (Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs), is part of a comprehensive effort to transform the #agricultural landscape in implementing countries. Ogochukwu Precious Akunna, Pita Ochai

🌴Stakeholders’ Dialogue: Day One Ends on a High Note! The first day of the stakeholders’ dialogue on the coconut sector concluded successfully, bringing together key players, including #coconut #farmers, processors, aggregators, and representatives from the Coconut Federation of Ghana, Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), and African Coconut Group. Participants explored various production parameters, identified associated costs, and worked in focus groups for targeted deliberations. Eric Amoako Agyare, Acting Country Representative for Solidaridad in Ghana, in his remarks, emphasized the crop’s potential to significantly contribute to economic development. "The coconut crop holds immense potential, offering a wide range of opportunities and benefits. To fully harness these advantages, it is essential for all stakeholders to collaborate in identifying existing challenges and co-developing sustainable solutions to drive its growth and development," he said. Patrick Ndabiah, President of the Coconut Federation of Ghana (COCOFEG), highlighted the crop's zero-waste nature, underscoring its status as an economic asset that creates employment and hope for many families. William Quaittoo, Chief Executive Officer of the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), conveyed his gratitude to Solidaridad for its ongoing support and spoke about the critical role the workshop plays in advancing the coconut sector. "This workshop represents a significant milestone in our effort to create a more sustainable and equitable coconut supply chain. Through this initiative, the coconut sector—currently the only one among the six tree crop sectors yet to develop a pricing mechanism—will move closer to establishing a fair and transparent system," he said. Day two, scheduled for 27 November, will shift focus to processors, exporters, private sector stakeholders, government agencies, and research institutions. The goal is to build on day one’s discussions, harmonize stakeholder perspectives, and conclude with actionable outcomes. The two-day event aims to establish common parameters, align perspectives, and reach a consensus using a cost-based model. Asdev Consult, a development consulting firm, is facilitating the process to ensure an inclusive decision is reached. The workshop forms part of activities under the RECLAIM Sustainability! programme funded by Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken (Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs). Seth Kankam Nuamah, Dr. Shaibu Baanni Azumah, Edward Yaw Kyere, Eva-Marie Ecklu, Dennis Ahari Ayisi Otu, Eunice Nimo

Happening Now Solidaridad West Africa is organizing a two-day workshop, from 26 to 27 November, for key stakeholders in the coconut value chain to discuss the development of a pricing mechanism for the sector in Ghana. Participants include representatives from the Coconut Federation of Ghana (COCOFEG), the Tree Crop Development Authority, and Coconut farmers. Many #oilpalm #farmers also grow #coconuts as a secondary crop to support their livelihoods. Ensuring fair pricing across commodities is crucial for improving farmer incomes. The Ghanaian coconut market often experiences price fluctuations due to supply and demand dynamics. Increased demand for coconuts and their products can lead to price surges, while decreased demand results in price drops. Additionally, the location of farms affects pricing, as larger companies often set prices based on proximity and infrastructure access, leaving rural farmers at a disadvantage. Nigeria, as a major importer, significantly influences prices in Ghana through its demand variations. Farmers face challenges in securing fair prices, especially when dealing with larger buyers. Through the RECLAIM Sustainability! programme for oil palm, we aim to promote fair value distribution in commodities like coconut to enhance farmers' livelihoods. The RECLAIM Sustainability! programme is funded by Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken (Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs). Eric Amoako Agyare, Seth Kankam Nuamah, Eva-Marie Ecklu, Edward Yaw Kyere

Talatu Idris, a widow and mother of six from the Kano state in Nigeria, has redefined resilience. For years, she worked tirelessly on her 5-hectare tomato farm, striving to support her family but earning just enough to get by. Her turning point came through the Acting Now programme, which introduced her to #sustainable #farming techniques and provided access to high-quality seeds via a rotating credit scheme. With this support, Talatu has quintupled her farm income, ensuring a brighter future for herself and her children. Acting Now is funded by Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken. Read about her inspiring journey here: https://lnkd.in/gRFQnAVC Kenechukwu Chudi Onukwube, Ogochukwu Precious Akunna, Pita Ochai

Solidaridad West Africa and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have commenced the final phase of the Responsible Investments in Agriculture and Food Systems (RAI) training programme, focusing on empowering #rural #women in Bonthe, southern Sierra Leone. Scheduled from 25 to 28 November 2024, this third phase builds on the successes of the first and second phases, organized by the FAO and Solidaridad in 2022 and 2023 across nine districts in Sierra Leone. The Food and Agriculture Organization aims to support the government of Sierra Leone in reducing poverty, improving #foodsecurity and #nutrition, and fostering #sustainable development, contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (#SDGs). Through these trainings, FAO and Solidaridad are equipping rural women with the skills and knowledge to actively participate in decision-making processes related to responsible agricultural investments. This empowerment helps women advocate for gender-responsive investments, ensuring their voices are heard in shaping the agricultural sector.

On Tuesday 19 November, Solidaridad West Africa, in partnership with the Minerals Commission of Ghana, successfully inaugurated the National Partners Forum—a high-level stakeholder platform aimed at addressing #childlabour in Ghana’s mining sector. The Forum provides a collaborative platform for stakeholders to advocate for policy reforms and mobilize resources to support the implementation of the Child Labour Eradication Framework (CLEF). The Child Labour Eradication Framework provides strategies and guidelines for eliminating child labour in the #mining sector. The partnership is under the RECLAIM Sustainability! programme funded by Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken (Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs). Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/drkK4uKh Rosemary Addico, Seth Kankam Nuamah, Ransford Barnie, Memunatu Salifu

Solidaridad West Africa et les autorités ivoiriennes : Unis pour la Paix et le Reboisement à Bangolo À l’occasion de la Journée Nationale de la Paix, Solidaridad a participé aux côtés du corps des Eaux et Forêts à une activité de reboisement à Bangolo. Cette initiative reflète notre engagement en faveur de la restauration du couvert forestier ivoirien, un levier clé pour renforcer la durabilité environnementale et la paix dans nos communautés. Dans l’ouest de la Côte d’Ivoire, à travers le projet « Climate-Smart Cocoa Production » en partenariat avec Albrecht & Dill GmbH (A&D), nous collaborons avec les communautés agricoles et les autorités locales pour promouvoir des moyens de subsistance améliorés et des pratiques climato-intelligentes dans la filière cacao. Ce projet s’inscrit dans notre vision d’une agriculture durable, résiliente et respectueuse de l’environnement. Nous exprimons notre gratitude à tous les partenaires qui partagent notre ambition d’un avenir plus vert et paisible. #Solidaridad #Reboisement #Paix #FilièreCacao #ClimatIntelligent #Durabilité #JournéeDeLaPaix #CôteDIvoire Olive M'Bahia, Lea Thinan, Thonon Zacharie, Dimitri Kohoussa