Jilishe Africa

In food production, aka production of life, there are 4 key players; soil, weather, seed and the farmer who ensures the process is started and completed. The farmer can control the soil composition, moisture levels and even fertility just by the way he/ she takes care of it. The farmer can determine the best seeds by picking the best of the previous seasons' yield and replanting that. There are also options to purchase high-quality seeds as well to ensure a bumper harvest. Now comes the tricky one; the weather. Over the years we have seen weather patterns change drastically and for the worst. Climate change is taking place and the farmer needs to understand his/her role in causing it as well as how to maneuver during these weather events and still remain on top! https://lnkd.in/d7UW9EZm

The world as we know it is changing..... for the worst. Agriculture is the last frontier and once we lose control of the seeds, we have lost the war. #jilishe #Agriculture

Today, we celebrate Labor Day by honoring the backbone of our society: farmers. 🌾 Their tireless dedication and hard work ensure our tables are filled and our communities thrive. Thank you, farmers, for all that you do! #jilisheafrica #LaborDay #Gratitude #FarmersRock

KALRO is providing seed companies with new crop varieties, including rice. During the release of KALRO's second Strategic Plan, Agriculture Principal Secretary Dr. Paul Ronoh praised its research prowess, calling it a leading center in Africa. He emphasized the importance of quality, climate-resilient seeds. KALRO Director General Eliud Kireger urged the private sector to commercialize their technologies for farmers' benefit. KALRO's plan focuses on enhancing crop and livestock productivity, sustainable practices, and technology adoption, requiring Kshs 55 billion for implementation. Notable achievements include the development and release of crop varieties, distribution of clean planting materials, and empowerment of farmers with climate-smart technologies. In livestock, achievements include breed distribution, improved management practices, and vaccine development. #JilisheAfrica #KARLO #AgricultureResearch #CropVarieties #SeedCompanies #RiceVarieties #StrategicPlan #AgriculturalDevelopment #ClimateResilience #TechnologyAdoption #LivestockManagement #SustainablePractices #ClimateSmartTechnologies #FarmingInnovation #KenyaAgriculture

Agriculture sector financing takes center stage at the conference Agricultural stakeholders begin a two-day conference in Kenya today to discuss financing models for the sector amidst concerns over its contribution to GDP versus investment. Despite being the largest GDP contributor and employer, agriculture receives minimal funding, leading to a funding gap of sh.2.94Trillion. The FINAS 2024 conference, organized by Rootooba and the Ministry of Agriculture, aims to assess current financing options, propose solutions, and provide a platform for enterprises to interact with financiers. Key speakers including Dr. Kawira Mutegi emphasize the need for innovative financing mechanisms and policy frameworks to address challenges like climate change and food security. Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi anticipates the conference outcomes will guide government and private sector initiatives. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi advocates for a revamped financing mechanism to support the agricultural sector, aligning with the government's medium-term plan for 2023-2028. Various partners, including GIZ, FSD-Kenya, and AGRA, are also participating in the conference. #jilisheafrica #agriculturefinancing #agriculturedevelopment

The Kenya National Farmers’ Federation (KENAFF) and iCRA have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide top-notch agribusiness training to Kenyan farmers. iCRA, a Netherlands-based foundation with over 35 years of expertise in agriculture, joins forces with KENAFF to strengthen agricultural value chains. The MoU, signed on March 21 at KENAFF Headquarters, aims to professionalize KENAFF County Associations, enhance members' business skills, and bolster advocacy efforts at the county level. Youth empowerment is a key focus, with plans to revive 4K Clubs in schools to instill practical skills and entrepreneurship. Affordable training services tailored to specific member categories will be developed to equip farmers with essential skills. The partnership will also offer leadership and staff development programs to enhance engagement at the county level. Additionally, joint fundraising initiatives will address climate-smart agriculture, gender programming, and agricultural innovations. Overall, the partnership between KENAFF and iCRA signals a commitment to advancing agribusiness education and empowerment in Kenya. #jilisheafrica #KENAFF #ICRA #Agriculturetraining

A Nairobi-based secondary school achieved the remarkable feat of clinching the first runner-up position in a recent Pan African competition celebrating innovation, creativity, and excellence in education, held in Nigeria. Representing St Georges Girls Secondary School of Nairobi, Kenya, Team Smart Blind Walking Stick stood out as the first runner-up in the Sahara STEAMers Grand Demo Competition 2. This annual competition, now in its second year, is jointly organized by the Sahara Group Foundation and Asharami Synergy, Kenya, in collaboration with STEMCafe. These entities are subsidiaries of Sahara Group, a renowned international conglomerate operating across 42 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Launched in 2022, the Sahara STEAMers program is a collaborative initiative with STEMCafe, aimed at nurturing innovation, creativity, and excellence in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education among secondary school students across Africa. Ejiro Gray, Director of the Sahara Group Foundation, highlighted the program's impact, which directly benefited over 200 students across the continent. He emphasized its role in providing deep-dive classroom learning experiences, equipping students with practical skills to innovate solutions for real-world challenges, and fostering a new generation of confident social innovators in Africa. During the Grand Demo Competition, twelve teams from Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, and Tanzania showcased their ingenious prototype designs spanning sectors such as home automation, agriculture, security, energy, health, and transportation. The winning team, Imperial Tech from Rise and Shine Secondary School in Uganda, impressed the judges with their Soil Moisture Detector innovation, aimed at enhancing soil quality and agricultural productivity. Following closely behind, Team Smart Blind Walking Stick from St Georges Girls Secondary School, Nairobi, Kenya, secured the second position. Comprising Amina Hussein, Isabella Otieno, Halima Ibrahim, Stella Kabui, and Vennesa Kerubo, the team devised a groundbreaking solution to aid visually impaired individuals in navigation. Their product, incorporating Arduino technology, distance sensors, and a buzzer, reflects their innovative capabilities and commitment to positively impacting the visually impaired community. The event also recognized the Young Genius team from Oshodi High School in Lagos, Nigeria, for their innovative Domestic Drainage System, aimed at addressing drainage blockage issues. Both Gray and Adebola Adesanya, Country Manager at Asharami Synergy Kenya, praised the ingenuity and dedication displayed by the Kenyan teams, highlighting the significance of such programs in nurturing future leaders and problem solvers. #Jilisheafrica #innovationinagriculture #futureleaders

In the agricultural season of 2022/23, Tanzania achieved a record maize production surpassing 8.1 million tons. Agriculture Minister Hussein Bashe disclosed that Tanzania's domestic maize demand stands at approximately 6 million tons. Traditionally, Tanzania has been exporting surplus maize to neighboring countries like Kenya, Congo, and Rwanda. Presently, harvesting has commenced, leading to a decline in maize prices. The government is actively involved in purchasing maize at a fixed rate of Tshs 750 per ton through the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA). Bashe assures that this procurement strategy will be upheld to support farmers while ensuring minimal impact on consumers. Additionally, the government plans to sustain the fertilizer subsidy program. Bashe directed the Tanzania Fertilizer Regulatory Authority (TFRA) to keep the system open for farmers needing fertilizer, even if they've utilized their allocation for the season and are returning to their farms. In the regional context, Tanzania stands as one of the leading maize producers alongside South Africa, Zambia, and Uganda. However, Zambia and South Africa are currently facing maize shortages due to the impact of El Niño. Bashe noted that Malawi and Mozambique are also experiencing a shortfall in maize production this year, presenting lucrative opportunities for Tanzania. Anticipating an even more substantial harvest, Bashe projects maize production to reach 10 million tons and rice to hit 5 million tons in the 2023/24 season. He mentions receiving communication from countries facing shortages, expressing interest in Tanzanian produce. Bashe advised Tanzanian traders to capitalize on the maize scarcity in Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique by leveraging diplomatic channels through embassies in these countries to secure customers. The Kenyan market, on the other hand, is expected to pick up later in July-August, where Tanzania will vie with Uganda for market share. Furthermore, Bashe encourages maize farmers who planted in November and December to commence harvesting and utilize forthcoming rains to plant Open-Pollinated Varieties and Hybrid seeds, such as sunflower, distributed by the government as subsidies. He emphasizes the importance of preserving maize quality and avoiding hasty sales at reduced prices, as prices are expected to improve from June onward. Bashe underscores the importance of understanding the legal frameworks of target countries for trade. He advocates for increased private sector involvement in cross-border trade, aligning with the government's objective of transitioning away from government-led initiatives to facilitate smoother business operations. #jilisheafrica #maizeproduction #tanzania #agriculture #maize

Today, and every day, let's celebrate the remarkable women who nurture our fields, tend to our crops, and fuel the world's agriculture. 🌾✨ From dawn till dusk, their dedication and expertise make farming possible. Here's to the backbone of our agricultural community—thank you for cultivating our future. Happy International Women's Day! 💪🚜 #WomenInAg #InternationalWomensDay #FarmHer

Nakuru County and Kenya Flower Council Forge Partnerships Leonard Bor, Nakuru County's Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Veterinary Services, recently met with Clement Tulezi, CEO of the Kenya Flower Council, to explore collaboration opportunities aimed at boosting the flower industry in the county. The discussions focused on forming partnerships to strengthen the flower industry, capitalizing on Nakuru County's favorable environment and strategic location within Kenya's horticultural landscape. This initiative highlights a joint effort to leverage the region's strengths and advance its role in Kenya's horticultural sector. The meeting in Nakuru saw the participation of key figures in the horticultural sector, including Hosea Machuki, CEO of the Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya (FPEAK), along with Simon Konzolo and Edmond Lang’at from TradeMark Africa. Nakuru County has established itself as a prominent producer of cut flowers in Kenya, demonstrating significant potential within the horticulture value chain and fostering a conducive environment for horticultural businesses to thrive.