Juliána Hešková’s Post

What an eventful day it was. As one of the 17 judges (Plus a Chief Judge) we were tasked with huge responsibility to select the top innovator of the AgYouth and Tech AYuTe Africa challenge 2024 of Heifer International The top 5 finalists convinced the judges on how they have the best solutions that address the pressing challenges faced by smallholder farmers. Their solutions ranged from market access (Agri Farmer's Market), Uber like digital extension (Extension Africa); post harvest technologies (Silo Africa), mechanization (Agri Adopter) to biofertilizers (Thur Biotech). It was encouraging to see how Heifer is deliberate and intentional about investing in those solutions that specifically reaching that last mile. It was also interesting to see hundreds of youth who chose agriculture as their career of choice and continue to think outside the box 📦 to be part of the solutions. One of the major highlights was how robust and rigorous the selection process was. Led by the Chief Judge (very experienced I must say); the 17 judges had to first take open oath. An auditing firm provided oversight to ensure free, fair and transparent process. Well done to the Heifer Africa team and the Innovators Cherry 🍒 on top was that Rwanda 🇷🇼 Kigali was just the perfect host country #PERFECTOpportunities #AYuTe2024

🌿 What an Incredible Experience at the Agro Workshop During the Diaspora Africa Conference in Ghana! 🌍 Wow! The energy, passion, and innovation at our recent Agro Workshop were simply off the charts! 💥 It was amazing to see so many brilliant minds come together to explore the future of agriculture in Africa and beyond. 🌾 We dived deep into game-changing farming techniques, discussed sustainable practices, and witnessed firsthand some of the most exciting agtech innovations. 🚀 The room was filled with fresh ideas and powerful insights from farmers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders alike. A massive shoutout to everyone who joined us and contributed to these inspiring conversations! 🙌 Your ideas, experiences, and feedback were invaluable in making this workshop a true success. Together, we’re building a stronger, more sustainable future for agriculture! 🌱 Practical takeaway: Start implementing sustainable practices like crop rotation and intercropping to improve soil health and increase yields. 🌽🤝 Consider incorporating agtech solutions such as mobile apps for real-time data on soil moisture and weather patterns to optimize your farming practices. 📱🌦️ Missed out? Don’t worry—we’re just getting started. Stay tuned for more events, opportunities, and ways to get involved! Let’s keep this momentum going! 💪 Evans Kyere-Mensah Nkechi Akunyili Angelique Bartholomew, JD EZE CHUKWU Victor Odame Dele K. Oye #DiasporaAfricaConference #AgroWorkshop #AgricultureRevolution #FutureOfFarming #InnovationInAg #SustainableGrowth #AfricaRising #Networking #CommunityBuilding

Are you dedicated to transforming #foodsystems with positive social, economic, and environmental impacts? This is your chance to shine! The Biovision Foundation is calling all #agrifood SMEs to apply for the Agroecological Food Futures Prize 2024! 🏆 The Agroecological Food Futures Prize aims to spotlight the need for #sustainable investments in agri-food businesses and showcase the power of #agroecology. 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲? 💸𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬: Win up to USD 20,000, with additional support including USD 10,000 and tailored technical assistance for the 2nd prize, and USD 10,000 for the 3rd prize. 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠: Receive expert pitching, business development, and marketing consultations. 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠: Engage with a network of agroecological entrepreneurs from East Africa. 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲: Showcase your business to a jury of experts and potential investors. 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲? Looking for businesses from Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Kenya that are dedicated to environmental sustainability, social equity, and fostering local economic growth. Don’t miss this chance to advance your innovative agroecological business. Fill out the application form here: https://t.ly/r8gx6 𝑫𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆: 𝑱𝒖𝒍𝒚 26𝒕𝒉

Today, women-owned businesses from WCCIMA and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) visited Namib Mills Namibia one of the largest producers of wheat, pasta, and animal feed in Southern Africa. This visit was an eye-opening and highly educational experience for our women entrepreneurs who specialize in agro-processing. It provided valuable insights into large-scale agricultural production and supply chain management, offering inspiration on how to scale and innovate their businesses back home. The tour showcased the cutting-edge technology and processes used by Namib Mills, giving our members a deeper understanding of how to boost efficiency and enhance the quality of their own agro-processed products. Empowering women in agro-processing is key to driving sustainable food systems and strengthening Africa’s agricultural sector. We are excited to take these learnings and apply them to the growth of our members’ businesses, fostering collaboration and trade within the continent. Together, we are unlocking the potential of women in agro-processing and pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve in the agricultural value chain! #AgroProcessing #EmpoweringWomen #WCCIMA #NACCIMA #UNDP #NamibMills #Trade #AUMSME #HerAfCFTA #FoodSystems #WomenInAgriculture #NACCIMA #BusinessExpansion

🌱 Celebrating Innovation and Empowerment at PlowAfrika! 🌍 At PlowAfrika, we're not just transforming agriculture – we're cultivating a future where every farmer thrives sustainably. Today, we're excited to spotlight some of the incredible innovations and initiatives driving positive change across rural communities. 🚀 Empowering Smallholder Farmers: Through our innovative extension services and advisory support, we're empowering smallholder farmers with the knowledge, tools, and resources they need to unlock their full potential. From personalized agricultural recommendations to cutting-edge technology solutions, we're revolutionizing the way farmers cultivate their land and manage their businesses. 🌟 Fostering Community Collaboration: At the heart of our mission is a commitment to collaboration and partnership. By working hand-in-hand with Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), local communities, and strategic stakeholders, we're creating inclusive ecosystems where collective action and shared prosperity thrive. 🌍 Driving Sustainable Growth: Sustainability isn't just a buzzword – it's a guiding principle embedded in everything we do. From promoting climate-smart farming practices to fostering environmental stewardship, we're dedicated to building resilient agricultural systems that can withstand the challenges of today and tomorrow. 👩🌾 Celebrating Women and Youth in Agriculture: We believe in the power of diversity and inclusion to drive innovation and progress. That's why we're committed to empowering women and youth in agriculture through targeted capacity-building initiatives, mentorship programs, and leadership opportunities. 🙌 Join Us on Our Journey: Whether you're a farmer, a partner organization, or simply someone passionate about creating positive change in the world, we invite you to join us on our journey. Together, we can cultivate a brighter future for agriculture and build thriving communities across Africa and beyond. Stay tuned for more updates, stories, and success stories from the PlowAfrika family. Together, let's sow the seeds of innovation, empowerment, and sustainability! #PlowAfrika #AgriculturalInnovation #Empowerment #Sustainability #CommunityDevelopment #TogetherWeGrow 🌱🌍

🌱 AgriTude Venture Hub: Empowering the Next Generation of Agricultural Leaders in East Africa 🌱 At AgriTude Venture Hub, we're committed to transforming the agricultural landscape in East Africa by empowering youth and women through innovative and sustainable farming practices. Our mission is to connect young & women farmers with the right resources, training, and market opportunities to thrive in the agribusiness sector. Through partnerships, education, and direct support, we are building resilient, sustainable food systems that contribute to economic growth and food security in the region. We are proud of the progress we've made and the strong partnerships we have developed along the way. As we continue to scale and expand our impact, we invite collaboration with institutions that are equally passionate about agriculture, youth & women empowerment, and sustainable development. 🤝 Let’s work together to drive positive change! 🤝 We are particularly interested in connecting with organizations and institutions that are supporting youth and women in agriculture, enhancing food security, and promoting sustainable farming practices. Below are just a few organizations we believe could be great partners: The International Small Group and Tree Planting Program (TIST), Lendable, Heifer International, responsAbility Investments AG, Proparco, Shared Interest, Grassroots Business Fund, BlueOrchard Finance Ltd, Enabel, EquaLife Capital, Vital Capital, Althelia Funds, IDH, Zebu Investment Partners, CrossBoundary Group, Doreo Partners, FMO - Dutch entrepreneurial development bank, UNDP, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), The World Bank, International Labour Organization, Mastercard Foundation, SMALL ENTERPRISE ASSISTANCE FUNDS, Aga Khan Foundation, VC4A, ABAN, Hindsight Ventures, African Angel Academy, FMO Investment Management, KfW Stiftung, Renew Capital, CAPITAL DRILLING, INC., Segal Family Foundation, Livelihood Impact Fund, Norec, FSD Africa, International Trade Centre, Capital One, African Venture Philanthropy Alliance (AVPA). Together, we can create a future where agriculture is a thriving, sustainable career for the next generation of farmers in East Africa. 🌍💚 #AgriTudeVentureHub #YouthInAgriculture #SustainableFarming #AgricultureInnovation #EastAfrica #Agribusiness #FoodSecurity #YouthEmpowerment #AgriTech #Partnerships #SustainableDevelopment

𝐈𝐂𝐏'𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝟓-𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲: We focus on the megatrends 🌍 climate change and 🔝 youth. In 2024-2028 we will 📍 continue working in Honduras, Brazil, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, and Indonesia 👩👩👧👧 reach 15,800 smallholder farming families 🌿 reach 5,000 youth keep supporting the participants of our projects in: 💯 improving their livelihoods 💵 increasing the competitiveness of farmer organizations 🌽 applying farm diversification strategies 🌱 implementing regenerative agriculture and agroforestry. To accomplish this, all seven ICP shareholders committed to this new 5-year strategy: Delta Cafés, Franck , Joh. Johannson Kaffe, Lavazza Group, Löfbergs, Neumann Kaffee Gruppe (NKG), Tchibo. Furthermore, we are cooperating with Sida and Austrian Development Agency as public partners and The J.M. Smucker Co. as a private partner in addition to various local organizations and institutions in the project countries. 🙏 #DevelopmentCooperation #TropicalAgriculture #ImprovingLivelihoods #CoffeeFarming #CoffeeProduction #Honduras

On Panel 5 at the World Cocoa Conference PRO-PLANTEURS project lead Sonia Lehmann exchanged among others with #GISCO members Rainforest Alliance and Mars on the role of #womenincocoa.  #CocoaBrussels2024   From their diverse perspectives, the panelists agreed on the main #challenges of women in cocoa being the access to #land (titles) and the access to #finance. These challenges are directly intertwined with gaining access to #cooperatives and to the market, as well as accessing services and #trainings. Drawing from 9 year-experience of PRO-PLANTEURS in Côte d'Ivoire, a country where women headed households receive only as small fraction of the Living Income Benchmark, Sonia highlighted the importance of first building the #resilience of women towards external shocks. This, she argued, lays the foundation for subsequent investments aimed at generating a #livingincome. #PROPLANTEURS is the joint #project of GISCO, the Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft (#BMEL), the Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) and the Conseil du Café-Cacao (#CCC). PRO-PLANTEURS works with more than 30.000 #cocoa farming families in Côte d’Ivoire towards improving their incomes and professionalising the organisations they belong to. The project works with farmers' organisations in the regions of Abengourou, Aboisso, Agboville, Yamoussoukro and Divo.  👉 Learn more about PRO-PLANTEURS here: https://lnkd.in/ekxvjgX  

Hey #nextgeneration, dear world, you might wonder: now what are all these NGIN Ambassadors all about? Their energy is great but then what? Well, you won't be disappointed!!! 💡 ➡ Check out the brandnew reel with their first key takeaways from AFS Forum here https://lnkd.in/dBYM9ect ⏭ "We demand for real actions." (Mawejje Harbert, Uganda) 💳 "We demand for bold and big investments!" (Crescentia Mushobozi, Tanzania) 🍽 "We youth, we are not the side dishes. And we deserve strategic collaborations to scale up our innovations!" (Nanahauwa Abdulrahman, Nigeria) 🌐 "We are here to connect with fellow youth experts in agriculture and we voice our perspectives, concerns, and solutions with policy makers." (Femi Adekoya, Nigeria) All of them and Winnie Wambugu share: "We are not projects!" They are experts and influencers and movers of their peers into viable and sustainable futures. #agvocates #NGINeers #youthinag #sustainableagriculture

🎉 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐚 𝐖𝐫𝐚𝐩: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐲𝐜𝐡𝐚 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 & 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐩 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐠! What a transformative week it's been for our agroecology entrepreneurs (AEEs)! 🌱 💰 Diving into the finance side: @SHONACapital unveiled the components of the Neycha Revolving Fund. AEEs got the inside scoop on selection criteria, policies, and procedures. 🎤 Pitching time: AEEs put their newly-honed skills to the test. From financial acumen to agroecology integration, every lesson came into play. Who else loves seeing theory transform into action? 🏆 Celebrating Growth: A heartwarming certificate ceremony recognised each entrepreneur and their business. Each certificate represents a week of intense learning, collaboration, and growth. Huge thanks to Biovision Foundation, SHONA, SHONA Capital Ltd, and all our partners who made this possible. Agroecology Coalition Agroecology Fund PELUM Uganda PELUM Kenya Association Transformational Investing in Food Systems Global Alliance for the Future of Food #AgroecologyWorks #Agroecology #Kenya #Uganda #Business #Food #NeychaAccelerator #AgroecologyInnovation #SustainableAgriculture