Louis Pulzone’s Post

At UrbanFarm Africa, innovation converges with food security, without water, there's no agriculture; without agriculture, there's no food. Our mission extends beyond just ensuring food security – we're proud about our Hydro Harvest projects, complementing our Hydro Coops initiatives and creating food and water security for communities. Our Hydro Harvest Mission: • Maximize resource efficiency • Uplift livelihoods • Ensure a steady water supply • Minimize water wastage • Operate on a zero-waste principle • Promote safe water for all • Tackle water security challenges amidst climate change and population growth • Empower marginalized groups • Support zero hunger and clean water initiatives • Follow sustainability principles • Enhance resilience to climate-related disruptions • Empower women and youth • Promote peace in vulnerable communities • Collaborate for collective action • Teach sustainable water practices • Instill the importance of water conservation

UPL Corp is thrilled to announce the publication of its third annual Africa Sustainability Impact Report. This report is a testament to the collective hard work, innovation, and dedication to fostering sustainable agricultural practices across Africa. Highlights from this year's report include: 🌱Training & Environmental Stewardship: We trained an impressive 97,131 individuals in Good Agricultural Practices and 12,332 in Environmental Stewardship, paving the way for a greener and safer future. 🌱Technological Innovation: We obtained 103 new input products registrations and commercialized 132 seed varieties, showcasing our commitment to advancing agricultural technology. 🌱Food Chain Enhancement: We reached a phenomenal 480,147 farmers through integrated projects, providing vital services such as input kits, extension services, input finance, and market access to smallholder farmers. 🌱Partnership Development: Our collaborations with 72 partners from public, private and civil society organizations impacted 535,571 farmers across the continent, illustrating the power of teamwork and synergy. 🌱Community Engagement & Social Impact: Our charity programs benefitted 93,750 people, making a significant difference in local communities. The full UPL Africa Sustainability Impact Report 2023-2024 can be downloaded here - https://lnkd.in/d5WHGs53 Please take a moment to read it and learn more about how UPL is changing the game for African famers and food systems.

Every 5th of June has been dedicated as Environment day. A day to appreciate and recognise the environment that we all live in and also a moment to reflect on how to bring balance between human activites and environmental sustainability. Last year the theme was Turn off the Tap, Beat Plastic Waste. The theme was set to challenge us in our plastic consumption and the hazard its waste produces. This year the theme is Land Restoration, Dessertification and Drought resilience. I will use this medium to briefly discuss on the theme for us to be enlightened and challenged to action. World Environment Day 2024 Theme: Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience Definitions and Meaning Desertification: Land degradation in dry areas due to climatic changes and human activities. About 35% of Nigeria's land is at risk, affecting 40 million people. Land Degradation: Processes like soil erosion and deforestation reduce land productivity. Drought: Prolonged low rainfall leading to water shortages. Causes and Impacts Causes -Climate Change: Higher temperatures and altered weather patterns cause reduced rainfall and longer droughts, affecting up to 70% of northern Nigeria's land. -Overgrazing: Leads to 50-70% productivity loss. - Deforestation: Reduces the land's moisture retention. -Unsustainable Farming: Over-cultivation and poor soil management degrade soil quality. Impacts: - Agriculture: Yields can drop by 60-80%, threatening food security. - Livelihoods: Increased poverty and migration. - Water Resources: Scarcity affects drinking water, irrigation, and sanitation. Solutions - Agroforestry: Planting trees alongside crops. -Soil Conservation: Terracing, contour plowing, and cover cropping. -Sustainable Farming: Organic farming, crop rotation, conservation tillage. -Community Projects:** Local efforts in afforestation and water management. International Partnerships: -Collaborations with UNCCD and World Bank. Conclusion Addressing land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience is vital for Nigeria's future. Sustainable practices, community involvement, and international partnerships are key to building resilience. Thank you all.

 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗧𝗲𝗮 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 – 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝘼𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙖 𝙄𝙨 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙒𝙖𝙮 𝙞𝙣 𝙎𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙏𝙚𝙖. Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword in Africa—it’s a way of life. In a world where climate change threatens traditional tea-growing regions, Africa’s tea farmers are pioneering practices that protect both the planet and their craft. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗲𝗮? Because for African tea farmers, the land is their legacy. Generations have worked in these fields, and they know the importance of preserving them for the future. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗞𝗲𝗻𝘆𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗺: On the slopes of the Aberdare Range, one farmer named Mwangi uses natural irrigation techniques to conserve water. His tea fields thrive even during dry seasons, proving that small changes can make a big difference. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗲𝗮 𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆? ↳ Eco-Friendly Practices: Farmers are reducing chemical use and embracing organic methods. ↳ Community Investments: Many tea estates fund schools, clinics, and housing for workers, ensuring a holistic approach to sustainability. ↳ Climate Adaptation: From drought-resistant crops to innovative water management, African tea is built to withstand the challenges of tomorrow. In every sip of African tea, there’s a story of care—for the land, the people, and the future. 👉 Follow to learn more about how tea connects us to sustainability. 💬 How does sustainability influence your tea choices? 𝙇𝙚𝙩’𝙨 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙪𝙨𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨—𝙞𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙨𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙠 𝙖 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚!

Could mushrooms be the key to transforming the building industry while also improving the environment In Kenya? A social enterprise called MycoTile is innovating insulation materials made from agricultural waste bonded with mushroom mycelium. Its carbon-negative product delivers stronger insulative properties at a lower price than traditional building materials. To learn more about MycoTile, a member of the 2023 Morgan Stanley Sustainable Solutions Collaborative, visit https://mgstn.ly/4bnFnp4

Good building and sustainable eco friendly move.towards environmental solutions. While using locally ingredients 

Listen to our Story and how the mushroom movement is just scratching the surface of mycelium potential in the built environment. #mycelium #mycelia #carbon #greeearchitecture #sustainabledesign

BACK PRESSURE TURBINES DRIVING SUSTAINABILITY IN UGANDA'S DAIRY SECTOR In Uganda's growing dairy sector, the inte- gration of back pressure steam turbines is revolutionising sustainability practices. These advanced turbines play a crucial role in enhancing energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact within dairy opera- tions. By harnessing the power of back pres- sure steam turbines, Ugandan dairy industry can significantly lower their carbon foot- print while optimizing production processes. For More Visit : turtleturbines.com

🌍 Food Systems at the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development 🌍 The Regional Fora on Sustainable Development are really interesting for us food systems folks this year, because SDGs 2 (Zero Hunger) and 13 (Climate Action) are under review, and food systems have been identified as a key accelerator of change. I previously shared a few notes on the Asia-Pacific Forum. Here are some highlights from the African Forum. Includes: 📝 Notes on the background paper on achieving SDG2. Spoiler: it's not good news. 📣 Calls to members of the ECA to act on food systems 💰 Calls from members of the ECA to the global community to reform finance to achieve the SDGs ⏩ Presentation on the transformation of food systems as an accelerator challenges 💡 Recommendations and opportunities to achieve such a transformation I was especially interested to read the call to "design, adopt and roll out use of metrics that supplement or go beyond GDP and recognise the human well-being, ecosystem assets and their health, and the role of the informal economy and the environmental destruction caused by certain social and economic activities". Hope this is helpful.