PULA’s Post

An incredibly inspiring panel discussion highlighted the importance of regional collaboration among IGAD countries in building climate resilience for smallholder farmers. Unpredictable and extreme weather events continue to devastate livelihoods across the region. In Kenya, droughts and floods leave 1 to 4 million people facing food insecurity annually. In Ethiopia, recurring droughts driven by climate change have placed an estimated 20 million people in need of food assistance in 2023. Meanwhile, Somalia’s 2023 Deyr floods caused damages totaling $176.1 million, affecting nearly 2.5 million people. Despite the growing relevance of agricultural insurance as a critical tool for climate adaptation, its uptake remains low across IGAD countries. Strengthening regional collaboration is essential to build the resilience of smallholder farmers, and the role of insurtechs like PULA in this effort will be transformative.

At our recent Emergency Summit on Climate Change and Agriculture, the voices of farmers and advocates rang out - each story a vivid reminder of the harsh, unrelenting reality we’re up against. Climate change is no longer a distant specter on the horizon; it has arrived in our fields, our soil, in the very air we breathe. South African farmers are feeling the weight of it all - floods, droughts and fires; seasons that betray them, crops that wither under skies once promising. And so, we made a decision. From this point forward, climate change will not sit quietly on the sidelines of our editorial agenda. The stakes are far too high, not just for the agricultural sector but for every soul connected to the land. This is not just another news item; it’s a story of survival, a call to adapt, to innovate, to work together. Our commitment at Food For Mzansi is to tell this story with the urgency and depth it demands, to bring light to the hard truths and hard-won solutions our audience embody every day. This is the moment we stand beside them, with pen, with purpose. Climate change is now the story. And it’s a story that we are prepared to tell. Here are some of this week’s highlights: 💚 𝗠𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵: ‘𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀’ https://lnkd.in/dasHSkRT 💛 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘂𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 https://lnkd.in/dpFu5J65 💙 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗽𝘁 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝘃𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 https://lnkd.in/d3Gm4tap 🧡 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗯𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 https://lnkd.in/dv378xRs Kudos to our summit partners Zero Carbon Charge, Anthesis Group, Rainforest Alliance, CropLife South Africa, and Hennies Drone Repair and Training.

Just wrapped up an eye-opening 3-day workshop on Scaling Methane Mitigation in Sustainable Tropical Agrifood Systems in Brasilia! 🌿🐄   I was honoured to contribute alongside experts from government, research, and finance sectors. We explored innovative livestock practices, policy roadmaps, and climate finance mechanisms for tropical agriculture.   Thrilled to have had a chance to share our latest work with LD4D's Climate Finance & Livestock Development Solutions Group. Our new evidence briefs, launched this week, provide crucial insights on quantifying emissions and building compelling investment cases for livestock projects.   Highlights: ·        Cutting-edge methane abatement techniques in livestock ·        Collaborative development of actionable methane roadmaps ·        Tools to unlock climate finance for sustainable livestock development   We hope these resources will open new opportunities for public finance institutions, project applicants, and policymakers looking to secure funding for livestock mitigation and adaptation. Excited to see our workshop recommendations and LD4D's work presented to the G20 Agriculture Working Group. Together, we're paving the way for climate-resilient and financially viable tropical agrifood systems.   Thanks to our hosts Ministerio da Agricultura, Climate & Clean Air Coalition , Clim-Eat, The World Bank, G20 Brasil 2004 and Instituto 17 for this important discussion. #climatefinance #sustainableLivestock #MethaneMitigation #G20

As Lucrezia Tincani, PhD, Keenya H. and I note in this FAIRR Initiative insight piece: "Feeding the world’s growing population in a way that aligns with global commitments to the Paris Agreement and keeps within planetary boundaries is critical. The mandate is clear. How to achieve it, and the role of policymakers, corporates and investors is less clear." The FAO has been tasked with this mission. A huge, once-in-a-life opportunity. One with which everyone should wish the FAO luck, and one which nobody should expect the FAO to solve quickly nor to tackle in isolation. The FAO’s three-year Roadmap process of iterative examination of the issues allows for growth in understanding and re-evaluation in the face of new learnings, which frankly seems the only possible way to arrive at a list of recommendations of true value given the complexities involved. Input from experts in other United Nations agencies, academics across the spectrum of inter-related fields that feed into these issues, and stakeholders with diverse perspectives and from all regions around the world will be key to success. As a last note on complexity and range of issues, I lift this from the FAIRR-led investor coalition statement which led the global call for the FAO to develop a Roadmap: “As investors, we recognise the financially material risks to which the food system is exposed, from #climate change, #biodiversity loss, #malnutrition, and #antimicrobial resistance, as well as the material impacts that food system activities have on the #environment. Accordingly, we urge the FAO to produce a global roadmap to 2050 that mitigates these risks and sets a standard for the industry. It is crucial that this roadmap aligns with the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5˚C while ensuring the protection and restoration of nature, and achieving food and nutrition security goals.” #planetaryboundaries #onehealth #foodsystems #COP30 #COP28 #sustainableagriculture #amr #antimicrobialresistance #sustainablefinance #ParisAgreement

We're honored to share that Oorja has been awarded the Climate-Positive and Equitable Food Systems Prize, supported by the Seeding The Future Foundation. This award recognises our deep commitment to reshaping food systems for climate resilience and social equity. At Oorja, we’re driven by the vision of a food-secure world where climate-smart solutions reach the most marginalised farmers. Through our climate-smart advisory services, we provide smallholders with regular training and crucial guidance on sustainable practices, climate-resilient seeds, and optimised soil health management. Alongside solar-powered irrigation, these solutions empower farmers to improve crop yields, diversify their produce, and thrive despite the uncertainties of a changing climate. Our work is challenging the systemic inequities that leave small farmers vulnerable to environmental shocks. By equipping these farmers with affordable services and scientific knowledge, we’re fostering independence and resilience, paving the way for food systems that are not only sustainable but accessible and fair. With every new milestone, we step closer to a world where food security isn’t a privilege, but a right for all. 🌍💚 #ClimateEquity #FoodForAll #SustainableAgriculture #ResilientFarming #ClimateSmartAgriculture #OorjaImpact Acumen Ashden The DOEN Foundation Water and Energy for Food Grand Challenge elea Partners Group Echoing Green Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH Aga Khan Foundation International Institute for Sustainable Development Power for All Artha Impact (Rianta Capital) USAID GOGLA MassChallenge The Global Good Fund MIT Solve

We celebrated World Farmers Day yesterday and no buzz about it 😔! We need to do better when it comes to Farmers, they do a lot! Here are 10 points highlighting the importance of farmers in a society: 1. Food Security: Farmers provide food for the population, ensuring a steady supply of fresh produce, meat, and dairy products. 2. Economic Growth: Agriculture contributes significantly to a country's GDP, creating employment opportunities and stimulating local economies. 3. Environmental Stewardship: Farmers play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem balance, conserving natural resources, and promoting sustainable practices. 4. Rural Development: Farmers are the backbone of rural communities, supporting local businesses and services. 5. Food Sovereignty: Farmers help maintain food independence, reducing reliance on imports and ensuring national food security. 6. Innovation and Technology: Farmers drive agricultural innovation, adopting new techniques and technologies to improve yields and efficiency. 7. Biodiversity Preservation: Farmers help preserve crop and animal diversity, protecting genetic resources for future generations. 8. Climate Change Mitigation: Farmers implement sustainable practices, reducing carbon emissions and promoting carbon sequestration. 9. Social Fabric: Farmers are often the foundation of community social structures, supporting local events and cultural heritage. 10. National Security: A strong agricultural sector ensures food availability, reducing reliance on foreign aid and enhancing national security.

Food insecurity affects more than 30% of the world, and it will worsen if we don't take bold actions on climate change. Businesses in #agriculture will bear the brunt, and inevitably, so will consumers. That's why at the #WTOMC13AbuDhabi, we are working with partners to promote the use of technology in agriculture to increase productivity, reduce waste, and enhance returns for farmers. Together with the #Netherlands, we organized a roundtable with agri-tech founders from #Ghana and #Uganda to discuss tried-and-true applications that have benefited thousands of farmers and end consumers. We will continue this conversation and foster partnerships across countries to scale up our efforts. Learn more about our Netherlands Trust Fund V: https://lnkd.in/eCAyEX6d Vanessa Toré | Ruisandro Cijntje

As the FAO prepares to release the latest instalment of its 2050 Roadmap for the agri-food sector, FAIRR’s Insight explores areas for improvement that must be addressed to meet the needs of investors and other key stakeholders. The report comes as one of multiple instalments of the 2050 Roadmap, and aims to map out how Sustainable Development Goal 2 (eliminating hunger globally) can be achieved without breaching the 1.5C #ClimateChange threshold. As authors Megan Waters, Lucrezia Tincani, PhD, and Keenya H. write, so far, what has been produced by the FAO on the Roadmap has tended to focus on issues like agricultural productivity and has dealt with climate largely in isolation. However, it is crucial for the upcoming instalment to take a holistic approach that balances efficiency of production with risk factors including not only climate, but equally #Biodiversity, #AnimalWelfare, and human #Health. Investors keen to understand the role they can play in supporting the necessary change in current livestock production systems can learn more in the full Insight ⬇ https://lnkd.in/eVrhjs2m

Embracing Excellence: Celebrating World Farmers Day - May 14th" Tribute to the Backbone: Today, we honor the relentless efforts of farmers worldwide, the backbone of our global food system. Sustainable Stewards: Farmers champion sustainability, nurturing the land for future generations. Innovation in Agriculture: From traditional methods to cutting-edge technology, farmers drive innovation in agriculture. Resilience Amid Challenges: Despite challenges like climate change and market fluctuations, farmers persevere, ensuring food security. Economic Contribution: Recognize the vital economic contribution of farmers, supporting livelihoods and communities. Collaboration for Progress: On this day, let's acknowledge the importance of collaboration across sectors to empower farmers and build a resilient food future. Gratitude and Support: Express gratitude to farmers and pledge support for their crucial role in feeding the world. #WorldFarmersDay #FoodSecurity #Sustainability #Farmers #SupportFarmers #InnovationInAgriculture #ClimateResilience #FeedingTheWorld #Agribusiness #AgTech #EmpowerFarmers #FutureOfFood #Gratitude

Instituto Interamericano de Cooperación para la Agricultura (IICA) and the United States have over 80-years of strengthening national agrifood systems, preventing and eradicating diseases, and addressing climate affects across the Western Hemisphere. We will collaborate with Guatemalan stakeholders to develop a Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS) strategy that builds a more resilient food system through a focus on diverse, climate-adapted crops and healthy, fertile soils. The partnership will identify areas for future investment and mobilize resources from across the public and private sectors benefitting Guatemalan, the region, and the Western Hemisphere. USDA, Feed the Future, U.S. Department of State