G-STIC: Global Sustainable Technology & Innovation Community’s Post

Agroecology and Climate Action: Insights from ACE4ES Africa Program This past Tuesday, I had the privilege of attending a program on Agroecology and Circular Economy, organized under the ACE4ES Africa Africa project at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) . As an eco-conscious advocate leading a small group focused on tackling climate change, I found the event incredibly enlightening and impactful. Here are some of the key takeaways: 1️⃣ Sustaining Soil Fertility through Organic Farming The importance of organic farming was underscored, particularly in maintaining the fertility of our lands. Practical sessions provided hands-on skills for creating organic fertilizers and pesticides—both environmentally and economically friendly solutions. 2️⃣ Circular Economy: Turning Waste into Resources A captivating presentation on circular economy emphasized the principle that waste is a resource. We learned innovative ways to repurpose waste instead of discarding or burning it, thereby reducing harm to the environment while unlocking new value streams. 3️⃣ Reducing Methane Emissions in Rice Farming A comprehensive discussion shed light on strategies to minimize methane gas emissions from rice farms—an essential step in mitigating climate change. This program was a treasure trove of knowledge and practical skills. It reinforced the critical role of agroecology and sustainable practices in addressing environmental challenges. If you're passionate about climate action, agroecology, or circular economy, I'd love to connect and exchange ideas. Let's work together to drive impactful change! #Agroecology #CircularEconomy #ClimateAction #Sustainability #ACE4ESAfrica #CSIR

Promoting the adoption of the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) framework is a cornerstone of our global rice programme, both #ontheground and at the #policytable. 🌍🌾 #Uganda📍This year with stakeholders from the government, farmer groups, NGOs and the private sector, we reviewed progress on sustainable rice and discussed how these lessons can inform policy, including Uganda's #wetlandspolicy, which is currently under review. 📑 The results from working with over 2,000 farmers who adopted SRP practices are promising: a 17% increase in profitability, a 33% rise in grain productivity, and significant reductions in both input costs and pesticide use. 👩🌾 Building on these results and other evidence shared during the discussions #recommendations were made on key areas such as quality seeds, water management, green financing, and more. 💡 Check out the full list here 👉 https://lnkd.in/dsUtrgTb A heartfelt thank you to the Ministry of Water and Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industries, and Fisheries (MAAIF), the National Agricultural Research Organisation (#NARO), the National Environment Management Authority Uganda, Local district governments, retailers like Uganda Hotel Owners Association, Rice Millers Council, Rice Association of Uganda, farmer organisations and Water User Associations, consumer organisations like CONSENT Uganda, The Microfinance Support Centre, International Rice Research Institute, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and all local and international associations involved. #SustainableRice #SRP #RiceFarming #Uganda #SustainableRiceRikolto #Sustainability

🌍 4 Essential Strategies for Enhancing Sustainability in African Agriculture 🌱 As the world faces the pressing challenges of climate change and food security, it is imperative that companies operating in Africa take decisive steps towards sustainable agricultural practices. Here are four critical strategies that can significantly improve sustainability in the sector: 1. **Invest in Sustainable Technologies**: Embrace innovations such as precision farming, agroecology, and sustainable irrigation systems. These technologies not only enhance productivity but also minimize environmental impact, ensuring that agricultural practices are both efficient and eco-friendly. 2. **Promote Crop Diversification**: Encouraging farmers to diversify their crops can lead to more resilient agricultural systems. By shifting away from monoculture, we can improve soil health, reduce pest outbreaks, and enhance biodiversity, ultimately leading to greater food security. 3. **Strengthen Supply Chain Transparency**: Establishing transparent supply chains is crucial for accountability and sustainability. Companies should invest in technologies that track and verify sustainable practices from farm to table, ensuring responsible sourcing and fair trade. 4. **Foster Community Engagement**: Collaborating with local communities is vital for the success of sustainable initiatives. By engaging farmers in decision-making processes and providing education on sustainable practices, companies can empower communities and create lasting positive change. By implementing these strategies, companies can play a pivotal role in transforming agriculture in Africa, contributing to a sustainable future for all. Let’s work together to cultivate a greener, more sustainable agricultural landscape! 🌱🤝 #Sustainability #Agriculture #Africa #CorporateResponsibility #Innovation #FoodSecurity #SustainableDevelopment

🌍 A New Publication on Empowering Communities Through Agroecology: Lessons from Regreening Africa 🌱 Excited to share findings from our latest research titled: "Scaling Models for Regreening Africa: Enhancing Agroecological Integration through Smallholders’ Assets and Agency in Kenya" DOI:      https://lnkd.in/dfq9SZVJ   This study examines the environmental and livelihood effects of the Regreening Africa Project (2017–2023), implemented across eight African countries. In Kenya, the project aimed to reverse land degradation on 150,000 hectares of farmland and engage 50,000 smallholder farmers in sustainable restoration practices. The project utilised an Asset-Based Community-Driven Development (ABCD) approach, focusing on communities’ existing strengths and fostering local agency. 📊 We developed more "realistic" and localised versions of the F-ACT tool, namely the F-ACT+ and F-ACT+ Minus 5 frameworks to help measure how well agroecological practices adoption and integration aligned with project goals after a series of interventions. 📌 Key Insights:  💡 ABCD sessions in Kenya led to significant adoption of agroecological principles, particularly in economic diversification, knowledge sharing, and pest management.  💡 Participants demonstrated significant improvements in sustainable farming practices and social equity. 📌 Why This Matters? Our results demonstrate the power of intrinsic and community-driven approaches to scale land restoration efforts that integrate ecological, social, and economic benefits. With climate change and biodiversity loss accelerating, models like these could provide blueprints for impactful, scalable solutions, with the ABCD approach revealing its intrinsic value for scaling sustainability efforts. A big shoutout to my able co-authors Lisa Elena Fuchs, Levi Alfred Orero, Langat Kipkorir, and Victoria Apondi. #RegreeningAfrica #Agroecology #LandRestoration #Sustainability #CommunityDevelopment #ClimateAction

🌱A new Fertilizer and Soil Health Hub was launched at the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit, aiming to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability across West Africa and the Sahel. With a $10 million investment over the next five years from OCP AFRICA and The World Bank's Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA) project, this initiative will focus on soil health, sustainable fertilizer use, and climate resilience. "This initiative will significantly enhance food security and support sustainable agricultural practices in the region," says Simeon Ehui, Director General for the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and CGIAR Regional Director for Africa. Read more: https://lnkd.in/daMnCwaE #ClimateandFood

Transforming Africa's Agriculture through Innovation: Cassava Peels Briquettes. As an AgriTechpreneur, I'm passionate about unlocking sustainable solutions for Africa's agricultural sector. Today, I want to share an innovative approach to reducing waste and promoting eco-friendly practices: cassava peels briquettes. The Challenge Cassava peels, a by-product of cassava processing, often end up in landfills, contributing to environmental degradation. Meanwhile, many communities rely on fossil fuels for energy, exacerbating climate change. The Solution Converting cassava peels into briquettes offers a sustainable alternative fuel source. This simple, cost-effective process: 1. Reduces waste disposal costs 2. Provides a reliable energy source 3. Creates economic opportunities for farmers and rural communities 4. Mitigates climate change Here's a simplified 5-step process: 1. Collect: Gather dried cassava peels from local markets or farms. 2. Crush: Grind peels into fine particles. 3. Mix: Combine crushed peels with water and cassava starch. 4. Shape: Use a briquette mold or manual press. 5. Dry: Sun-dry or use a food dehydrator. Benefits 1. Renewable energy source: Reduces dependence on fossil fuels. 2. Job creation: Empowers rural communities through briquette production. 3. Waste reduction: Minimizes environmental impact. 4. Cost-effective: Lowers energy costs. Join me in revolutionizing Africa's agriculture through sustainable innovations! Share your thoughts, experiences, or questions in the comments. Follow me for more insightful articles on AgriTech, sustainability, and innovative solutions. #AgriTech #Sustainability #Innovation #CassavaPeelsBriquettes #RenewableEnergy #AfricaAgriculture #WasteReduction #ClimateAction

TRADE Hub scientists find cocoa farming in the Tridom landscape within the Congo Basin is associated with higher rates of deforestation than comparable production-based livelihoods. However, many families rely on income from cocoa production. How do you support their livelihoods while preventing deforestation? 🌲 This journal article promotes sustainable and inclusive land management practices to balance these objectives. Read key messages 👉 https://bit.ly/3zVSOQc Jonas NGOUHOUO POUFOUN, Dr. Kevin Njabo

🎉 🌍 Great News from the Heart of Kenya! 🌱 🎉 We're thrilled to share that YAFNET, under the dynamic leadership of Kennedy Auma and in collaboration with Lifeworks Global, has launched its commercial operations with the biofertilizer Eden, revolutionizing agricultural practices with their innovative and affordable organic fertilisers. 👨🌾 *Why This is a Milestone:* YAFNET’s journey into commercialization is not just a business achievement; it’s a trailblazing move for sustainable agriculture. Catering to diverse clientele like educational institutions, a renowned flower export company, and a committed farming community, YAFNET is introducing solutions that are economically and environmentally transformative. The result 💚 *The Superior Benefits of Organic Fertiliser:* 1. *Cost-Effective:* Significantly cheaper than chemical alternatives, these organic options are a game changer for budget-conscious farmers. 2. *Soil Health:* Organic fertilisers enhance soil fertility and structure, promoting beneficial microbe activity that helps plants absorb nutrients more efficiently. 3. *Environmental Protection:* Free from harsh chemicals, these fertilisers reduce the risk of water contamination and soil degradation, safeguarding our ecosystems. 4. *Boosts Crop Health and Yield:* Healthier soil leads to stronger plants, potentially increasing yields and improving the resilience of crops against pests and diseases. 5. *Sustainable Farming Future:* Embracing #NatureBasedSolutions helps maintain the land’s productivity for future generations, a cornerstone of #ClimateSmartTechnology. 🌿 By integrating #OrganicFertiliser into their operations, YAFNET's clients are championing a green revolution, ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for agriculture in Africa. 👏 Let’s celebrate this significant leap forward in #AgroBusiness, driven by innovation and a commitment to ecological and economic sustainability. Here's to continuing our support for YAFNET as they set the benchmark for future farming practices! 🌾💪 YAFNET: https://yafnet.co.ke/ #SustainableAgriculture #InnovativeFarming #EcoFriendly #HealthySoilHealthyLife 🌻🌳

🌳 This year’s theme for the International Day of Forests is, ‘Forests and Innovation: New Solutions for a Better World’.   Naturally, a crucial aspect of this is developing and promoting innovative solutions to protect our forests and tackle deforestation. KIT is, and has been, working on several projects that support such innovative interventions.   For one of these projects, our colleagues Stefan Petrutiu and Selma van der Haar are working with Fairtrade International, The Chain Collaborative, Expressing Origin, and local researchers to analyse the effects of the Fairtrade system on deforestation at the producer level. The objective of this study is to assess if and how Fairtrade International incentivises or de-incentivises deforestation using its standards and tools including the Fairtrade Pricing and Premium Regulations its engagement with producer organisations and farmers. “We discovered that standards, pricing mechanisms, and advocacy on behalf of producers and workers, are very relevant and impactful in some contexts. There are many examples of agroforestry or regenerative agriculture projects supported by premiums. And preliminary evidence from a couple of Fairtrade cooperatives in Cote d’Ivoire shows members’ advanced knowledge of the benefits of cocoa agroforestry,” explains Stefan.   📑 To learn more about this project, see: https://lnkd.in/ecgVBspj #ForestDay #IntlForestDay #GenerationRestoration, FAO, #agroforestry, #cocoa, #agriculture

At BOLD IMPACT AFRICA, the art of making Grow Biointensive compost is crucial for sustainable agriculture as it maximizes soil health and productivity while minimizing farm resource use. By incorporating a balance of carbon-rich and nitrogen-rich materials, it creates nutrient-dense compost that replenishes the soil, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers. Use of compost enhances soil structure, improves water retention, and promotes microbial activity, all of which are essential for long-term agricultural sustainability. Grow Biointensive composting also helps sequester carbon, playing a vital role in mitigating climate change while supporting biodiversity and resilient farming practices. #ClimateAction #Composting #Carbonsequestration GIZ Kenya USAID Mideva Labs Blue Firms DiAnne Graham Kit Goldfarb YALI Regional Leadership Center East Africa George Kosimbei