PAN AFRICAN AGRICULTURE BALANCED AND AUTHORITATIVE ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 Livestock & aquaculture Q&A Interview: PS’s insights on fisheries Leather in Ethiopia attracts investment South Korean village model transforms farming PROFILE: ILRI Director General Dr Jimmy Smith From Farm to Mouth www.rootooba.com JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 1 ROOTOOBA Highlight topic ROOTOOBA Highlight topic COVER STORY 22 LIVESTOCK & AQUACULTURE In this special report, Rootooba focuses on livestock and aquaculture, both important assets in Africa contributing significantly to nutrition and economic growth, with livestock fulfilling multiple roles, ranging from draught power, to providing manure, milk and meat. Pastoralism is a vital part of the continent’s economy. Aquaculture, introduced 50 years ago, faces many challenges but has the potential to increase fish production to benefit value chain actors through improved food security and income Cover photo: Susan MacMillan, ILRI HIGHLIGHTS 08 FISHERIES’ MAJOR ROLE 31 A UNIQUE DAIRY FARM 51 CRICKETS ANSWERING Fisheries play significant economic, Rootooba tours prize-winning John MALNUTRITION social and nutritional roles in Africa, Njoroge’s Sprout Dairy Farm in With mounting pressure, scientists are contributing to food and nutrition Kiminini near Kitale in western Kenya, searching for alternative and sustainable security, providing jobs, for populations a model success story and prime ways to resolve competing forces in the near water bodies. Kenya’s Principal learning hub for many agricultural ecosystem to avert a crisis of food and Secretary, State Department for institutions, researchers and farmers nutrition insecurity. Rearing crickets for Fisheries, Aquaculture and the Blue whose prime breeds produce over 1,000 food is one such effort. Economy Prof Japheth Micheni Ntiba litres of milk every day. explains how. 61 PROFILE: DR JIMMY SMITH 34 DOUBLE TROUBLE FOR BEAST Rootooba highlights the work and career 13 SOUTH KOREAN LESSONS OF BURDEN Korea Programme for International of Dr Jimmy Smith, the Director General The drastic decline in the population Cooperation in International Agriculture of the International Livestock Research of donkeys in Kenya has raised an (KOPIA) Kenya Centre and the Kenya Institute (ILRI), where he leads a team of 650 outcry locally and internationally. Agricultural and Livestock Research staff made up of 40 nationals, and his views Huge demand for donkey skin in China Organization (KALRO) have conducted on human health, livestock and the global joint agricultural research and has resulted in mass slaughtering and economy. development projects. KOPIA Director insecurity locally for communities that 77 NEW LOCUST INVASION Dr Kim Keejong speaks to Rootooba. rear the animal. Kenya is one of the countries in the greater 29 CLIMATE-SMART FORAGE 36 ETHIOPIA’S LEATHER INDUSTRY Horn of Africa region reeling from a fresh Brachiaria grass is a new forage option In spite of Ethiopia’s leather industry’s desert locust invasion following another, with a high potential to improve remarkable transformation over the threatening food supplies for millions. FAO livestock productivity in sub-Saharan last two decades, the sector is still said the invasion could re-escalate as recent Africa. Although Brachiaria grass underperforming; thanks to setbacks strong winds carried mature swarmlets from originates from Africa, its contribution that can be traced to collection and southern Somalia. to livestock productivity has been processing of hides, complex market negligible channels and low meat consumption patterns. JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 3 Editor’s Note 2021 and hopes of post-COVID-19 recovery We welcome the new We also review the evolution of African year 2021 with cautious indigenous, cattle, donkeys and snail farming, optimism after an the sugar sub-sector and our food security This edition dwells extremely difficult 2020 watch features the high-level ‘Resetting the dominated by the devastating COVID-19 Food System from Farm to Fork’ meeting ahead on the livestock pandemic and a trail of destruction on lives of the 2021 UN Food Security Summit. and economies. and aquaculture With over 65% of households mainly poor, The agricultural sector, the mainstay of the vulnerable smallholder farmers, African sectors, a profile of economies of many African countries and countries must rethink strategies and policies the International sustainer of the livelihoods of the majority for sustainable economic growth. of the continent’s 1.3 billion population, Rootooba attended the recent African Union Livestock Research was hard hit by the virus. (AU) virtual session of the 16th Comprehensive Institute (ILRI) Movement restrictions as part of the African Agricultural Development Programme control measures coincided with the (CAADP) themed ‘Malabo Commitments Five Director-General Dr planting periods for most staple crops, Years on: Translating Lessons Learnt into Jimmy Smith and a exacerbating food security challenges. Accelerated Action towards 2025. To achieve adequate food supplies, The commitments require governments to powerful response on governments must develop better packages allocate at least 10% of public expenditures to Africa's aquaculture to confront the challenge of reducing the agricultural sector and 6% annual growth hunger post-COVID-19. in agricultural GDP. Less than 20% of African sector by Kenya's This edition dwells on the livestock and countries have achieved these commitments, a Principal Secretary in aquaculture sectors, a profile of the situation worsened by the pandemic. International Livestock Research Institute the State Department COVID-19 has left a negative impact on (ILRI) Director-General Dr Jimmy Smith agricultural productivity and the value chain, of Fisheries, and a powerful response on Africa's disrupting farming communities and trade. aquaculture sector by Kenya's Principal Aquaculture and the Calling for resilient policies and action, Secretary in the State Department of the forum expressed concern that African Blue Economy, Prof Fisheries, Aquaculture and the Blue agricultural institutions are deeply fragile Economy, Prof Japheth Ntiba. Japheth Ntiba. and cannot respond effectively to the fall We report on the issues at the heart of armyworm, locusts and COVID-19 shocks. the animal-human health interface and Welcome to the new year! the emergence of new infectious zoonotic diseases such as COVID-19 transmitted from animals to humans. Alberto Leny 4 ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 Publisher Nkima Cianki Managing Editor Alberto Leny Contributors Verenardo Meeme Murimi Gitari Donald Njarui, Elias Gichangi Sita Ghimire John Njeru Wandera Ojianji Marion Wagaki Omulo Okoth Design & Layout Joe-Harris Marere Digital Producer Simon Mukabana Programmes Wilfred Wachira Published by ROOTOOBA COMPANY LTD Suite No. 6, First Floor West Park Towers, Along Mpesi Lane off Muthithi Road Westlands P.O. BOX 856-00600 Nairobi, KENYA. Tel +254 717 782 782, +254 734 782 782 Email: info@rootooba.com © 2020. The entire contents of this publication are protected by copyright. All rights reserved. No parts of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means: electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher. 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They are individuals in their own right. -Jane Goodall JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 5 ROOTOOBA Molluscs The Giant African Snails are natural to the tropical region and they can serve as an alternative to meat protein. Snails emerge as a prime source of fertilizer, food By Murimi Gitari Contrary to many people’s of horticulture and food security, Consumption of snails is considered aversion to their unsightly Kinoti says starting this venture only to be highly beneficial for human slimy nature, researchers requires a little capital but offers health due to the Omega 3 fatty have established that high returns compared to other acids they contain and are assumed snails have many properties that can conventional farming systems. to inhibit the atherosclerosis and benefit humans and livestock. “There is so much value in snails thrombosis diseases. A group of researchers at Jomo cutting across sectors such as food The fertilizer made using the snail Kenyatta University of Agriculture security, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, shells is used to grow crops and and Technology (JKUAT) led by Dr animal feeds and fertilizer making,” plants in a more progressive way Paul Kinoti are conducting a study he says. than conventional methods. that shows snails have phosphorous After conducting research on “Our aim is to develop organic embedded calcium carbonate and snails, the group of researchers fertilizer that will improve soil protein that can be utilized to started a snail farming project at structure, enhance season-long generate fortified animal feed and the institution with the aim of supply of nutrients, and an increased organic fertilizer. introducing it and its value added water-holding capacity resulting The principal researcher of bio snail products as a viable alternative into better crop performance,” Kinoti farming in JKUAT’s department source of income and food. explains the findings from their 6 ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 study in the project, which is entirely suppression of root diseases. It also and soya ingredients,” he says. owned by JKUAT. increases shelf life of potted plants “Many people shy away from snails ‘The use of snails as fertilizer and soil and has a slow release of nutrients, with a stereotype that they are not amendment will aid in the remediation especially potassium, nitrogen and even good to touch but we want to of barren and acidic soils, making it magnesium elements. encourage farmers to embrace this valuable and a useful option in the The fertilizer will be commercially farming as it has many benefits. It is control of the invasive snails’, he adds. available in large quantities for cost-effective and offers high returns According to Kinoti, this method has use at the beginning of 2021 and with no regrets,” Kinoti says. proven to offer better results and benefits depending on how the snail Snail farming is not capital- and compared to conventional products. product performs, potential private management- intensive compared The nutrient content contained in the engagement in commercialization to poultry and other conventional bio snail organic fertilizer is quickly would be undertaken. livestock farming. The feeds are readily absorbed by plants. The product is expected to retail at available and can be produced easily “The use of bio snail organic fertilizer Sh150 per litre, which guarantees using locally-available materials. from field observations has shown that better returns to farmers and Kinoti The researchers contend that the the fertilizer restores and improves is confident the compost is a high- economic benefits resulting from the soil fertility as the soil regains its lost performance product that will use of snail value added products such fertility, becoming looser with enhanced satisfy a farmer’s all round quality as increased crop production due to development of worms and other requirements. the use of bio snail organic fertilizer, beneficial microorganisms found in the In their sustainability plan to ensure and the high nutrition with healthy soil,” he adds. they have enough snails and raw benefits is likely to minimize the The fertilizer is fortified compost made materials for making the product, stigma associated with snails. by mixing snail shells and ordinary the researchers have embarked Kinoti says that when farmers learn vegetable compost where the two on training and recruiting 10,000 of these benefits, the mindset change components are subjected to a special to 15,000 potential snail farmers on the negative perception and fermentation process. The fermentation clustered in groups and spread stereotyping will result to acceptability stabilizes the nitrogen content, across the country. of snails as useful creatures. transforms added organic nutrients and “We will supply the farmers with results in an optimized compost base breeding stock and provide them material with low salt and nutrient with technical support to farm content. snails and in that way, adequate “The bio snail shells fortified compost and sustainable snail production for is ideal for the horticulture sector, use in the fertilizer making process Most recent especially growers directly involved among other value added products in the cultivation of fruit tree crops, will be guaranteed,” he adds. research has also vegetables, flowers, ornamental plants, Most recent research has also shown shown that snail herbs, spices, medicinal plants and can that snail meat has low fat and also be used in growing the rice crop,” cholesterol levels, which makes it meat has low fat notes Kinoti. useful in the management of heart- and cholesterol The fertilizer is a liquid fertilizer applied related diseases. It is also gradually to plants through roots, leaves, stems finding its use in skin care products levels and branches. Plants absorb essential and the pharmaceutical industry. elements through the stomata and the “Snail meat provides an excellent epidermis. source of protein that is considered During the start of cultivation, the bio much higher than that of snail shells fortified compost significantly conventional food animals. Due enhances the crop security of sensitive to the high protein content, they plants as a result of its distinctive are utilized as an alternative features like being biologically active in source of protein for livestock feed fortification to substitute use of fish JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 7 ROOTOOBA Q&A Interview Kenya’s Principal Secretary Fisheries, Aquaculture and Blue Economy, Prof Japheth Ntiba Food, jobs and growth, fisheries sustain Africa Fisheries play significant economic, social and nutritional roles in Africa, contributing to food and nutrition security, providing jobs, in particular for populations near water bodies. Fisheries and aquaculture directly contribute $24 billion to the African economy, (1.5% of the total African GDP), employs over 12 million people (while fishing jobs are almost entirely taken by men, 59% of the processing work is done by women). In this Q&A interview, Rootooba speaks with Kenya’s Principal Secretary, State Department for Fisheries, Aquaculture and the Blue Economy Prof Japheth Micheni Ntiba on why this sector remains significant to the continent. Kenya in November 2018 co-hosted with Canada and Japan the first-ever international Sustainable Blue Economy Conference. 8 ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 QUESTION: What is domestic animals such as chicken, If so, by how much and how is the aquaculture and why is goats and cows that are associated deficit being met? it important for African with wealth and prestige. In Kenya, The annual national fish production livelihoods? for the longest time, fish was viewed in Kenya in the year 2019 was 146,543 as a reserve of traditional fish-eating metric tons valued at Sh24.546 ANSWER: Aquaculture is the farming communities around the Lake billion. Inland capture fisheries of aquatic organisms such as fish, Victoria region and with a small produced 102,331 metric tons, which crustaceans, artemia mollusks and minority around the Indian Ocean. contributed 69.8% of Kenya’s total plants such as seaweeds, seagrass, There are also some social- fish production. Marine artisanal fish algae and mangroves in a controlled cultural beliefs that prohibit some production was 25,670 metric tonnes or semi-controlled environment. communities from consuming equivalent of 17.5% of the national Aquaculture is important for catfish due to lack of scales on production while aquaculture African livelihoods as it provides the body. Furthermore, there are production amounted to 18,542 metric a cheap source of animal protein a number of communities in East tons contributing 12.6% of the total (food) packed with rich nutrients Africa that imagine that fish production. Notably, inland fisheries and omega-3 fatty acids, which were actually “short snakes”. The recorded a decline, while marine are good for brain development Government of Kenya has and is artisanal fisheries stagnated and and cardiovascular functions putting deliberate efforts to promote aquaculture recorded a 3% increase. besides providing raw material for fish consumption through fish manufacturing industries. It also Yes, currently there exists an annual fare events dubbed Eat More Fish creates employment and source of supply deficit of 350,000 metric Campaigns that showcase practical income especially for the rural poor. tons of fish if every Kenyan were to demonstrations for fish preparation, consume 10kg/person/year of fish, Why have there been stereotypes value addition, cooking and eating for which is the African continent per about fish consumption amongst purposes of increasing the national capita fish consumption. While the some African communities, per capita fish consumption amongst current per capita fish consumption including Kenya? What is being our people since, as we said earlier, in Kenya is about 5kg/person/year, in done to reverse this trend? fish are amongst the most nutritious some countries such as Portugal, the The stereotype about fish food on earth. per capita fish consumption is very consumption revolves around the How much is Kenya producing vis- high at about 57kg/person/year. To fish smell and high regards of other a-vis its demand? Is there a deficit? bridge the fish deficit in Kenya, the Africa has extensive and extremely valuable fish resources, which are exploited by the marine, inland and aquaculture sub-sectors. Photo: Mirko Tobia Schaffer JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 9 ROOTOOBA Q&A Interview The CGIAR Research Program on Fish in Agri-Food Systems-led youth study is adopting the post COVID-19 concept of “building back better” aquaculture, fisheries and fish value chains in a youth inclusive manner. government has enacted the Fisheries Management and water nations fishing in the offshore deep waters. Similarly, Development Act, 2016 that is geared towards ensuring there has been a general lack of training and concerted effort sustainable exploitation and production of the fisheries on blue economy literacy in our education curriculum from and aquaculture resources in the country. Some of the primary school level. deficit in fish supply in the local market has been met by There seems to be little attention to scopes such as traders importing fish from neighbouring countries and crustaceans and molluscs and a concentration in efforts to from abroad. improve finfish production. Why is this so? How does overfishing affect the blue economy in Africa? This situation has been due to firstly, market preferences. Overfishing leads to depletion of fisheries stocks and in Secondly, as a result of social-cultural backgrounds and related some cases a total collapse of these important natural issues about shellfishes such as crustaceans and molluscs resource altogether, with subsequent loss of an important and, last but not least, a limited capacity and technology food base, source of income, jobs and livelihoods for development for production as well as farming for bottom riparian and coastal communities. living shellfish species. What plans are there to ensure a sustained fish Kenya is looking to increasing its share of GDP annually by production in Africa? investing in the fisheries sector. How does the government The African countries are adopting different mechanisms to of Kenya propose to do this? exploit oceans, seas and lakes sustainably while at the same It is true that Kenya is very keen to implement some key time promoting development of aquaculture. These include development initiatives aimed at growing her fisheries sector developing Blue Economy Master Plans and Strategic Plans, including: Marine Spatial Plans (MSP), fishery specific management (a) The development of a national deep-sea fishing fleet to plans, promotion of co-management of fisheries resources tap into the deep-sea fisheries resources in its Exclusive between the government and the fishers, development Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Indian Ocean. Fisheries in of monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) protocols our EEZ has largely remained unexploited by ourselves for the protection and management of capture (natural) because of lack of capacity and concerted planning. For fisheries and promoting aquaculture development. many years, therefore, they were left to be exploited by What has impeded growth in aquaculture and the blue foreign nations who had enormous fishing capacity and economy since independence in many African nations, power and hence mostly robbing these important Kenya included? natural resources from us through illegal, unreported and Low levels of funding in the blue economy sector by unregulated (IUU) fishing. African governments led to leaving, particularly fisheries, to (b) The gazettement and development of the Liwatoni fish the whims of hunting, gathering, piracy, and overfishing by port for enforcement and implementation of port state local communities in shallow waters and by foreign distant measures to deter IUU, get reliable fisheries catch data and 10 ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 statistics and retain 30% of fish caught by fishing vessels owned by distant water fishing nations to assist the development of the fishing industry in Kenya and contribute to the national food and nutrition security. (c) Enforcing sustainable fisheries management measures to prevent overfishing of natural fish populations in lakes Victoria, Turkana, Naivasha, rivers and in the Indian Ocean. (d) Co-funded the Aquaculture Business Development Programme (ABDP) with the International Fund for Kenya’s State Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and the Blue Economy issues Agricultural Development pond liners and predator control nets through the Aquaculture Business Development (IFAD) whose aim is to Programme. commercialize aquaculture, increase food and nutrition Fishing is controlled at a national fishers and fish farmers. security, and enhance better level. However, fisheries and Where do you see the role of the livelihoods of rural communities aquaculture production are a youth in the blue economy? involved in aquaculture in the devolved function, which means that The youth are involved in all nodes target communities. the success of the fisheries sector along the blue economy framework. (e) Supported the Aquaculture depends on responsible undertakings The government has embarked on Technology and Innovations of the various devolved governments. a deliberate effort to train youth in Transfer Programme to promote The national government is deep-sea fishing and marine safety uptake of climate-smart responsible for coordination of how and provision of fishing boats for aquaculture technologies and these activities are undertaken. The coastal communities. In aquaculture, ensure fish production in the State Department for Fisheries, the government is keen to support face of climate change. Aquaculture and the Blue Economy aquaculture support enterprises that is principally responsible for (f) Enforced the East Africa specifically target the youth. The provision of policy guidelines, for Guidelines on fish cage culture MasterCard is working closely with the management and development in Lake Victoria to promote the State Department to develop of the fishery by controlling entry sustainable exploitation of the a programme for the youth to be and access to fishing, development resource. adequately engaged in growing the of aquaculture, setting quality (g) Supported the national stocking blue economy in Kenya.and safety standards for fish and restocking of community as food for humans, regulating Which technologies, best practices, dams to enhance aquaculture the quality of fish feed, and and development models can production base among other coordinating with the Ministry of advance sustainable blue economy interventions. Environment the protection of the investments in the continent? (h) Kenya is also establishing a aquatic environment. However, in Fisheries and Aquaculture state-of-the-art Mariculture undertaking these tasks the national Technologies, Innovations, Centre in Kwale County at the government works very closely Management and Practices (TIMPs) coast to mainstream fish and with the 47 county governments that are climate-smart, resilient and plants farming in our part of the to formulate and enact these profitable will advance sustainability Indian Ocean. policies. The national government of Blue Economy Investments. How is the national government also designs and funds projects for Examples of the TIMPs include and especially your docket planning implementation at the county level the Aquaponics, Recirculatory to incorporate and work with as well as supporting the counties Aquaculture Systems (RAS), county governments to ensure that to build their capacity to implement raised ponds for flood mitigations, the blue economy succeeds? fisheries programmes and activities harvesting of rainwater and use of through training of technical officers, greenhouses. JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 11 ROOTOOBA Q&A Interview Aquaculture is the only viable alternative source of fish Yes, the Fisheries Management and Development Act provides a especially at this time when the natural stocks of fish are clear policy direction and regulations, standards, guidelines and declining. What are some of the initiatives being advanced to standard operating procedures (SOPs) have been developed to maintain natural stocks? operationalize the Act. To maintain natural fish stock to stay healthy from year to Could you please speak on expansion in global consumption of year, various fisheries management strategies are employed. fish? These include closed seasons and closed areas to protect Kenya is making deliberate efforts to promote fish consumption young immature fish and breeding fish from being caught. alongside dietary diversity with the development of fish post- Controlling the fishing capacity and effort by maintaining harvest technologies to reduce post-harvest losses, and value the optimum number of fishing boats and fishing nets based addition to enhance consumer preference. We target to achieve on the known stock size of fish available for fishing that year over 10kg/person/year per capita fish consumption by 2030. On or season scientifically determined through well-coordinated the global arena, Kenya will be contributing to the global fish fish stock assessment by the Kenya Marine and Fisheries consumption having received certification to export to EU markets Research Institute, forging fisheries co-management principles after implementation of the Residue Monitoring Plans for farmed between government and the beach management units fish. As regards our natural, capture fisheries, Kenya developed (BMUs), developing fisheries management plans and stocking a sanitary and phytosanitary certification system to allow our and restocking of the water bodies to replenish the overfished fish to enter the European Union and other overseas markets fish stocks. And many more management measures aimed at in Category 1 of fish quality standards. We have also established ensuring that the whole aquatic environment is protected from international accredited laboratories (in Kisumu, Mombasa and pollution so it stays healthy. Healthy lakes, rivers and oceans Nairobi) that are currently being operationalized to not only serve are critical for sustainable fisheries on Earth as espoused in the Kenya, but also offer referral services in the region. FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF). What would you advice smallholder farmers interested in In your opinion, is fish farming profitable in Africa? venturing into fish farming in Africa? Absolutely. Fish farming is very profitable if undertaken in Small-scale fish farmers should strive, as much as it were, to get an efficient, effective, responsible and a sustainable manner. information about fish farming from the competent authority Let us remember this, that fish farming is the fastest growing (CA) in fish and fisheries matters in Kenya, and this is the Kenya subsector in the wide agricultural sector globally now at a rate Fisheries Service and fisheries officers in the county governments. of almost 20% per annum. They should also focus on commercial fish farming for good profit What opportunities are there for private sector engagement margins. in fisheries and blue economy? Any last comments you may have to our readers? There are opportunities in offshore gas and oil exploration, My last comment is this: “Let us all remember that fish is good, tourism, mining, transport, fishing, fish farming on land nutritious food for mankind that also creates business for wealth (aquaculture) or in the ocean (mariculture), water transport, and jobs. Let us embrace fish farming since it is the only sure various water sports including the celebrated and globally means we have to produce future additional fish for our tables loved sport fishing, wind and tidal energy, bioprospecting and and kitchens as well as for trade and more businesses. Natural all manner of trade and businesses associated with water fish stocks are going to remain stagnant and probably decline as economies. climate change and environmental degradation clouds our earth Is the policy environment adequate to accommodate any in unpredictable ways. recommendations for improving the aquaculture sector in Kenya and Africa? 12 ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 KOPIA Centre Director Dr Kim Keejong explains South Korea’s agricultural system lessons inspiring Kenyan farming communities. South Korean village model helps reform African agriculture By Verenardo Meeme The Korea Programme for International Cooperation in International Agriculture (KOPIA) Kenya Centre was launched on 23 August 2009 under an MoU between the Rural Development Administration (RDA) of South Korea and the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO). Since then, KOPIA and KALRO have conducted joint agricultural research and development projects countrywide. In an exclusive interview, KOPIA Kenya Director Dr Kim Keejong narrates to Rootooba how South Korea’s agricultural transformation journey can help inspire Kenyan farming communities to emulate the remarkable success attained in his country. One of Africa’s leading Writing in the Journal of African examples from, among other countries, development economists, Transformation, Volume 1 No. 1 of 2015 the Republic of South Korea, whose currently High Representative when he was Executive Secretary of the experience in agricultural development of the African Union United Nations Economic Commission for and structural transformation were Commission Chairperson for AU-EU Africa, Lopes notes that countries across achieved with the rapid growth of the Relations Post-2020, Prof Carlos Lopes, the globe that have increased productivity country’s economy in the late 1960s and says a pillar and, indeed driving force of benefited from economic growth 1970s. the continent’s structural transformation sustained by agricultural transformation. From the insights gained, South Korea is agriculture. Lopes could have been referring to is willing to share this experience in JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 13 ROOTOOBA Development agricultural development with cooperation is focused on improving village was the first centre to be developing countries in Africa the national agricultural research and established on the continent and has beyond basic programmes to achieve extension system, including capacity since inspired other African countries food security and help people escape building of human resources to including Algeria, Ethiopia, Ghana, from prolonged hunger and poverty develop and disseminate agricultural Senegal, Uganda and Zimbabwe to in a short time. technology. join the knowledge exchange model Lopes notes that African countries South Korea is working in Africa transforming agricultural practice in have an opportunity to change their through its key ministries and the Africa. lives through increased agricultural Korea International Cooperation Sustainable Development Goal 2, activity and enhanced agribusiness Agency together with technology which aims at ending all forms of that connects smallholders to development agencies, and research hunger and malnutrition by 2030 and national, regional and global value and educational institutions. Korea’s farming journey have been chains such as that provided by the At the partner country level it is boosted by research and education South Korean model. implementing two programmes: after the Second World War. “It is important to renew the building the Korea Project on International The Korea government pushed for blocks for a deeper discussion of the Agriculture (KOPIA) and the the development of high agricultural connection between agriculture and multilateral cooperation initiatives production techniques for cultivating industrialization,” he adds. composed of the Asia Food and high yielding varieties in the 1970s, To achieve food security and rapid Agriculture Cooperative Initiative enabling the country to achieve self- agricultural transformation, South (AFACI) and the Korea-Africa sufficiency in rice production, while Korea recognized the need for the Food and Agriculture Cooperation improving the country’s GDP. development of infrastructure, Initiative (KAFACI). ‘‘Kenya is on the same trajectory agricultural technology and It is a vital learning experience for as it has embraced research and institutional establishment. Kenya’s agricultural transformation education in agriculture. That is why South Korea has prioritized effort at a time farming has been we are sharing our experiences so agricultural technology transfer to battered by production challenges that we can learn from each other,’’ developing countries in Africa to such as low crop productivity, market says KOPIA Kenya Centre Director support country-led agricultural access, low quality produce, pests and Dr Kim Keejong. development programmes. diseases. Before the onset of the agricultural The technology development The Kenya KOPIA agricultural model Dr Kim says local farmers have increased poultry production from the South Korean experience. 14 ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 KOPIA and KALRO work on projects demonstrating sustainable agricultural technologies. village model project, the centre village idea so well. Farmers have farmers through poultry and potato carries out a baseline survey of a gone ahead to register groups with farming while the third project chosen area to check the viability of the help of researchers from KALRO focuses on model villages, agricultural the project in the region. and county governments,’’ Kim says. technologies, and interaction with KOPIA customizes the technical The project’s main objective skilled agricultural professionals. needs of each country as the is to disseminate the localized Succesful ouputs from this initiative agricultural landscape differs on technologies and practices to local are beginning to take effect. KALRO aspects such as climate. Through a farmers through demonstrations, Muguga researchers have come up collaborative work agreement with and build better research capacity with pocket-friendly poultry feeds and the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock through exchange programmes for farmers from Embu and Tharaka Nithi Research Organization (KALRO), scientists and experts. are now mixing their own feed rations the KOPIA project has published KOPIA’s first project focused on using KOPIA-KALRO technology. maize production, chicken farming, poultry production -- through Grace Njeri, a poultry farmer in rice cultivation, tomato production, the development of new feed Kerugoya, keeps indigenous chicken, cabbage cultivation and potato formulation for smallholder poultry which laid 20-30 eggs per year, but production manuals. farmers and support for maize with the improved KALRO Kienyeji, These handbooks are being used by production through the development she is now getting 200-250 eggs per farmers, schools, universities and of new Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN)- chicken every year. other agricultural institutions at the resistant varieties, and a handbook The Kenya government and the World rural model village level. for standard cultivation methods for Bank have adopted the model village ‘‘Poultry farmers have increased sweet potatoes and rice. system and chosen KALRO-KOPIA their income from $15.2 before the The second project focused on the projects to train farmers from other project to $126.7 after three years. development of a model village for parts of the country to implement The farmers have adopted the model increased income for small-scale the National Agricultural and Rural JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 15 ROOTOOBA Development Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP) KOPIA has helped communities However, with exposure to village with county governments. develop improved potato stores models, they are able to learn about The KOPIA project also sends for a longer shelf life and better various sources of food,’’ Kim says. Kenyan farmers and researchers for conditions for the seed. Motorbikes To ensure sustainability, KOPIA has agricultural training in Korea every were purchased to help extension a follow-up programme of at least year to gain first-hand knowledge and communication services among two years after the end of every of Korean agricultural technologies. community members. project where farmers follow all steps On return, they transfer the aquired The project also supports taught during the project period. The knowledge to other farmers. KOPIA neighbouring primary schools by researchers have linked farmers with also invites Korean experts in educating students on farming markets where they sell their produce. various agricultural fields to train the techniques. ‘‘We don’t expect all As the Korean KOPIA village farm farmers. students to become farmers, but model gradually takes root, Kenya Initially, communities used to when we share techniques on could witness progression towards a store seed potatoes and potatoes farming, they form groups of 50 similar tragectory as that of Korea, for consumption in a manner that students and acquire knowledge on a move that will spur economic allowed potatoes to develop sprout food sources. growth, triggered by agricultural and produce toxins, which were “In Korea, some students living in transformation. harmful for human consumption. big cities know what a potato is, but do not know where it comes from. High-yielding potatoes in rural farms have been one of the success stories of the KOPIA model. 16 ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 www.innovafrica.eu Innovations in Technology, Institutional and Extension Approaches towards Sustainable Agriculture and enhanced Food and Nutrition Security in Africa (InnovAfrica) The main goal of InnovAfrica is to improve Food and Nutrition Security by integrating Sustainable Agriculture Intensification systems (SAIs) InnovAfrica is a multi disciplinary and multi actor project implmementedi in 6 African case countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania and South Africa) Main Outputs and Outcomes Brachiaria - reintroduction of has reached nearly 20,000 farmers Crop diversification through maize/millet-legume has provided multiple benefits to 40,000 farmers in Malawi, Ethiopia, South Africa and Tanzania Village Knowledge Centre in Kenya case has enabled farmer networking and significantly increased farmer to farmer exchange of knowledge and adaptation Stakeholder interaction through MAPs has strengthened science-stakeholder-policy linkage Value Chain mapping has identified in key food actors, gaps and barriers and helped in linking the value chain actors, especially the markets InnovAfrica coordinator: Udaya Sekhar Nago- This project has received funding from the Euro- thu, NIBIO Nagothu.UdayaSekhar@nibio.no pean Union’s H2020 Research and Innovation Co-coordinator: Cathrine Ziyomo, BecA-ILRI program under Grant Agreement No. 727201 Hub, C.Ziyomo@cgiar.org JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 17 ROOTOOBA Development SU movement transformed agriculture in South Korea By Verenardo Meeme South Korea’s community- and introduction of high-yielding Indica Issue 8 of 2016 titled ‘Korean Experiences driven development and Japonica hybrid rice varieties, by the in Agricultural Development and Policy movement Saemaul end of the 1970s, the Republic of Korea Proposals for Structural Transformation Undong (SU) was had overcome its chronic shortfall in the of African Agriculture and Rural Space instrumental in driving agricultural domestic supply of food. (STAARS)’. reforms in the country pursued Enhanced participation by women in “The acceleration of urbanization due to during the 1970s. the planning, execution, monitoring, economic growth led to an increase in The movement, based on diligence, and evaluation of community-driven the demand for agricultural products, self-help, and cooperation, aimed at development projects greatly helped in and the farmers awakened witnessing overcoming endemic rural poverty the country’s agricultural transformation. the development of manufacturing and with food security given priority. The Korean rural village movement other industrial sectors, and the relevant According to the Asian Development concept is now being implemented in advanced technologies were spread to the Bank, the SU movement was anchored Kenya through the KOPIA agricultural agriculture sector. on the Six-Year Rural Development model village as it seeks to learn from “Investment in social overhead capital Plan (1966-1971) that included a series South Korea’s remarkable journey of such as roads, in the process of economic of projects designed to increase rural agricultural transformation. development, led to easier transportation household incomes. The African Development Bank (AfDB) of agricultural products, and the supply of SU movement’s achievements is encouraging African countries to farming materials such as fertilizers, thanks included rehabilitation of village adopt lessons from the structural to the development of industry, contributed infrastructure, improvement in the transformation of Korea’s agriculture to the enhancement of agricultural overall rural living environment, and pursued with the rapid growth in productivity,” states AfDB. a significant increase in household the economy and industrialization in Korea’s agricultural and rural development income in three stages - basic the late 1960s, and also through the went through a three-staged development infrastructure, development and interaction between the agricultural and process (Table 1 below). From the 1960s to dissemination. manufacturing sectors. the 1970s, in the early stage of development Thanks to the upgrading of the The AfDB’s recommendation is contained during the pursuit of sustainable agricultural production infrastructure in its African Economic Brief, Volume 7, growth, the government directed policy Rice paddy field in Gieongju, South Korea, which overcome chronic hunger by upgrading infrastructure and introducing high-yielding Indica and Japonica rice varieties. 18 ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 concentrating on food production and self-sufficiency in staple grains to Table 1. Agricultural developmentof Korea by period address food shortages and poverty. From the 1980s to mid-1990s, in the latter Earlier Later Globalization stage of development, the government Development Development Era (2000s) focused on the enhancement of (1960s-1970s) (1980s-1990s) agricultural productivity, increasing agricultural household incomes and Economic Poverty reduction the improvement of the agricultural Economic Economic growth maturation Self-reliance structure. After 2000, Korea’s policy Industrial development Knowledge-based agriculture entered the ‘global era’ and economy society faced the new environment of market opening and trade liberalization in Strengthening Agricultural agricultural products. Goal of Enhancing agricultural agricultural production Self- Korea’s agriculture experienced a agricultural productivity Creating competitiveness sufficiency in staple rural exodus due to rapid economic development farmers’ income Enhancing quality food-grains development in the 1970s, but of rural life managed to respond to the reduction in the rural workforce by increasing Seed improvement, Promoting capital investment. Strategy of Technology Fostering commercial sustainable Without major changes in land input, agricultural development and farms Increasing off- agriculture the government increased the input of development extension Food farm income Integrated rural intermediary goods along with input production development of capital. From 1970 to 2012, total agricultural Source: KSP team based on the literature. output increased annually with the slow relative increase rate of Table 2. Trend of agricultural productivity in Korea output. As a result, Korea’s actual labour productivity per household 1970 1980 1994 1995 2000 2010 2012 in agriculture was Korean Republic won (KRW) 2,465 per hour in 1970 and Labor KRW 13,972 per hour in 2012, showing productivity 2,465 3,506 10,540 9,593 11,017 15,480 13,972 an increase index with 5.67 times in per household Table 2. (KRW/hour) In comparison to some countries in Africa, recently, Tanzania’s and (index) (100) (142) (427) (389) (446) (628) (567) Uganda’s agricultural productivity has remained at a very low level due to Source: NH Economic Research Institute 2013. lack of inputs, technological extension, and so on. Table 3. Recent agricultural productivity (constant 2005 US dollars) The agricultural productivity of sub- Saharan Africa in constant 2005 US 2000 (A) 2013 (B) B/A (%) dollars had increased from an average World 1,066 1,377 129.2 of USD 474 to 705. However, in the Sub-Saharan Africa 474 705 148.3 case of Uganda and Tanzania, it was stagnant at a low level that ranged Tanzania 275 355 129.1 from USD 275 to 355 in Tanzania and from USD 220 to 217 in Uganda as Uganda 220 217 98.6 shown in Table 3 (World Bank, 2015). Korea 11,116 26,415 237.6 Over the same period, agricultural Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators productivity in Korea increased from USD 11,116 to 26,415.. JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 19 The study of fish in the sea may be the most necessary of all our oceanographic researches because we shall increasingly be made to turn to the sea as a vast food producer by the increase in the population of the world.— T.F. Gaskell 20 ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 Eastern African leader in laboratory solutions. 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JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 21 ROOTOOBA Health ILRI's One Health method to study zoonotic diseases By Alberto Leny As 2020 ended, the respiratory syndrome (SARS- the chain of transmission launched COVID-19 pandemic had Cov-2) has left profound damages last July, the UN Environment directly infected over 70 to societies, economies, and Programme (UNEP) and the million people, with over environment in every corner of the International Livestock Research 1,700,000 deaths globally. world. Institute (ILRI) identified seven Experts contend that unidentified Now as the global community trends driving the increasing cases, unrecorded deaths, and a still seeks to build back better after emergence of zoonotic diseases - poorly understood and characterised COVID-19, scientists say it is crucial those which jump between animal “tail” of chronic (ongoing) health to understand the transmission of and human populations. effects resulting from COVID-19 zoonoses, the threats they pose to UNEP and ILRI through the report mean that the direct burden of the human health, and how to minimise offered ten practical steps that disease is far higher than the figures the risk of further devastating governments can take to prevent suggest. outbreaks. future zoonotic outbreaks. The destruction caused by In their joint scientific report, The report highlights key the infectious disease known Preventing the Next Pandemic: anthropogenic drivers for the scientifically as severe acute Zoonotic diseases and how to break emergence of zoonoses, from 22 ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 Livestock market in Wajir, Kenya. People can acquire zoonoses through direct or indirect contact with animals or from livestock products. Photo: Riccardo Gangale, ILRI agricultural intensification and some of the key policy options that The virus is believed to have emerged in a increased demand for animal protein can be taken to reduce the risk of wet market in Central China, but it is not to the conversion of land and climate the emerging zoonoses and future the first to pass from animals to humans. change. pandemics. People can acquire zoonoses from direct Zoonosis is an infectious disease The options include regulating and or indirect contact with animals and that has jumped from a non- monitoring traditional food markets, from livestock products. In some cases, human animal to humans. Zoonotic incentivizing the legal wildlife trade when a disease jumps from animals to pathogens may be bacterial, and animal husbandry to adopt humans it becomes adapted to humans viral or parasitic, or may involve zoonotic control measures, and as it spreads as a human-only disease. unconventional agents and can further promoting the One Health Experts say HIV was originally a zoonotic spread to humans through direct approach. disease which mutated to become a contact or through food, water or the First, a historical background of the human-to-human disease. In other cases, environment. emergence of this disease that has such as rabies, animals remain the source Past zoonoses have included bird flu, caused so much misery and untold of infection. SARS, MERS-CoV and Ebola. damage on humanity across the Scientists have also observed that The UNEP-ILRI report also outlined globe. zoonoses are more common than most JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 23 ROOTOOBA Health people realize, stating that on average is that the broad scientific consensus 2020 initiative, states that the COVID-19 a new zoonosis emerges every four around the concept has not led to a pandemic and climate change represent months, although few in recent history corresponding institutional response – converging challenges to which no have been as globally threatening as at least not on the scale that is necessary. continent, country or community is COVID-19. Medical and veterinary authorities too immune. The emergence of COVID-19 underlines often still operate in separate domains. “Aligning the global COVID-19 recovery the importance of taking a One Health “Our health systems still divide the world with our response to climate change offers approach based on the premise that into neat categories: doctors take care the chance to protect health, promote a animal and human health and the of humans, veterinarians of animals, sustainable economy and preserve our ecosystems they share are inextricably environmentalists of ecosystems,” wrote planet,” state the experts. linked and must be addressed together. Smith. Their key message is that no country – Animal health systems remain poorly He proposed various remedies such as whether rich or poor – is immune from resourced to contribute effectively to more surveillance and monitoring of the health impacts of climate change. One Health interventions. animal diseases, better vaccination and Failure to tackle these converging issues “Until we start thinking of human food safety programmes, and more work in tandem would move the world’s 1.5C and animal health as linked, another on the broad array of issues that arise target out of reach, damaging the health coronavirus is inevitable,” ILRI Director- out of the interactions between people of the world’s 7.8 billion citizens in the General Jimmy Smith warned in an and animals, such as antimicrobial short- and long-term. op-ed published in the Independent on resistance, foodborne diseases and poor “Right now, people around the world face February 26, around the time the World animal health. increasing extremes of heat, food and Health Organization (WHO) declared “It’s odd that when it comes to zoonotic water insecurity, and changing patterns of COVID-19 a pandemic. diseases, humans seem to be serving the infectious diseases. “There is a better way, he continued. sentinel species - the canary alerting us “Unless urgent action is taken, the health “Instead of seeing zoonotic disease to the dangers in the mine,” he cautioned. impacts of climate change will bring outbreaks as discrete, unpredictable Scientists note that animal health further disruption, threaten lives and events – the microbial equivalents systems remain poorly resourced to livelihoods and compromise the hospitals of hurricanes or earthquakes – contribute effectively to One Health and clinics we depend on.” governments and health authorities interventions. For the system to work, should start thinking about them more the ILRI-UNEP report states that we systematically.” need to understand that society and He says zoonotics do not emerge people are at the centre. from nowhere, but are predictable “Our choices about human, animal and consequences of the ever-intensifying ecosystems health drive the present interactions between humans, animals system.” COVID-19 has wrought severe It’s odd that and the natural world, many of them the health and economic consequences result of positive global developments worldwide, with severe repercussions. when it comes to such as growing wealth, urbanization It has placed extraordinary stress on zoonotic diseases, and mobility in the developing world. food and nutrition security, agriculture, However, those developments have humans seem to gender equality and global food systems. not always translated into better Traditional markets that sell fresh meat, be serving the policymaking. That is why Smith argues fish and other goods that can spoil, as that we should adopt what scientists sentinel species well as consuming of wild animal or call a ‘One Health’ approach, based on bushmeat, have come under increased the simple premise that human health - Jimmy Smith scrutiny. and the ecosystems they share are inextricably linked. However, a global policy overreaction such as an outright ban on wet markets The idea originated in the 1960s and could jeopardize livelihoods and food received renewed attention in the 2000s, security and, perversely, lead to greater with the emergence of SARS and a highly long-term health risks. pathogenic variety of bird flu. A new report by the Lancet Countdown The problem, the experts point out, 24 ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 USA USA SPECIAL OFFERS Elisa Aatoxin Testing Kits - Helica Biosytems FOR THE NEW YEAR 2021 Elisa Plate Reader 96 Wells Automatic Elisa Plate Analyser 96 wells Elisa Test Kits 96 wells Ksh. 201,000 +V.A.T Helica Biosystems USA Ksh. 34,200 +V.A.T Dairy Products - Helica Aatoxin M1 Ksh. 34,200 +V.A.T Unga Maize Flour and Cereals Total Aatoxin - Helica Elisa Test Kits Ksh. 34,200 +V.A.T SORELA SUPPLIES Vision plaza 2nd flr. suite 37, Mombasa road Animal Feeds - Helica +254 728 976 035 Total Aatoxin +254 702 328 064Food Safety +254 7 99 982 874 Elisa Test Kits is +254 202 001 657/58 Ksh. 34,200 +V.A.T our business sorelasupplies@yahoo.com orders@sorela.co.ke Website: www.sorelascientic.com JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 25 ROOTOOBA Health Antibiotics misuse haunting livestock farmers in Africa By John Njeru Antibiotics have been used found a weird-looking mold growing in the treatment of a in a dish he had left by an open wide range of infections window. This discovery led to the in animals and humans. discovery of the ‘magical drug’, an Before antibiotics, a small wound antibiotic called penicillin. Since infection, diarrhoea, chest infection, then researchers have discovered skin infection, sexually transmitted numerous antibiotics, many of which disease often ended in a life- are a modification/improvement of Figure 1 showing killing of microbe threatening condition. the parent. (Staphylococcus) by Fungus Penicillium (due to the antibiotic penicillin there- in) as The antibiotic revolution was kicked While several antibiotics continue to discovered by Alexander Fleming off in 1928 when Alexander Fleming save lives the age of the ‘magical drug’ is fast approaching the end. Source: MUIB made up in Britain 26 ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 How antibiotic misuse/overuse is a animals. For instance, when one animal problem for human and animal health gets an infection, prophylactic antibiotics Data from several African studies show are given to the entire herd. that between 2000 and 2017, most of the Other farmers use antibiotics as growth world’s antibiotics were readily available promoters in food animal breeding. In A growing evidence over the counter without prescription. As a many developing countries, prophylactic from African studies consequence, a 65% rise in antibiotic use was use of antibiotics in farming is banned, reported in 2019. but this practice is still common in Africa. shows that CRB One study found that 90% of households Microbes such as Staphylococcus, are likely to be in Kibera, Kenya had used antibiotics in the Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas, previous year, compared to about 17% for a streptococcus and Clostridium among distributed across typical American family. others have been widely reported to the continent. Some of the factors driving antibiotic develop resistance to commonly used/ access and misuse include use without misused/overused antibiotics. proper diagnosis of infection, inappropriate Bacteria are able to mutate promptly prescription practices by health and non- to acquire genes horizontally and to health personnel, unregulated supply chains ‘mobilize’ the necessary mechanisms for medical drugs, self-medication, sharing for their survival if subjected to an of antibiotics among family members, and unconducive environment such as a from the current 700,000 per year to 10 use of substandard/counterfeit or drugs ‘harmful antibiotic environment’. million by 2050. with questionable pharmacological quality. Unfortunately, when a drug resistant bug With no measure, these deaths will Dispensing of incomplete dosage based emerges, the resistant bacteria can then surpass those attributed to cancer, upon the patient’s ability to pay and storing be transferred across the animal-human- heart disease and diabetes to become a the antibiotics for use during future environment interface, mainly through major cause of death in humans. infections when signs and symptoms the consumption of food or through Advice on which antibiotics to use begin to subside after an initial favorable direct contact with food-producing for common infections and which therapeutic response are also common. animals or through environmental to preserve for the most serious These lead to the patients taking suboptimal spread (e.g. sewage and runoff water conditions is regularly updated taking dosage of the drug thus exerting selective from agricultural sites). into account the resistance trends. pressure on microorganisms, which in turn The World Health Organization (WHO) Delving further into the present develop antibiotic resistance to the drug recently predicted that worldwide death Carbapenem antibiotics are broad- used. rates from drug-resistant bugs will rise spectrum antibiotics with antibacterial Rearing animals for food takes time and hard work to maintain their health and well-being. Just as in humans, farm animals sometimes get sick and require drugs to treat infections. Misuse and overuse of antibiotics is similarly rampant among livestock farmers in Africa in the treatment of the ever-widening spectra of livestock tropical infectious diseases. Previous studies have frequently reported empirical use of antibiotics in treatment of viral and parasitic diseases among livestock farmers in Africa. Under such circumstances, the antibiotics have minimal efficacy if any, in treatment of such diseases. Moreover, there is growing evidence of Misuse and overuse of antibiotic is rampant among livestock farmers in Africa in immense prophylactic use of antibiotics in the treatment of the ever-widening spectra of livestock tropical infectious diseases. order to prevent future infections in food Photo: Germán Miranda/IPS JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 27 ROOTOOBA Health Figure showing a Salmonella typhi (A microbe that causes Typhoid fever). The Microbe is resistant to seven out of eight commonly used antibiotic for the treatment of the disease activity against a wide variety of bacterial Similarly, a growing evidence from African For these reasons, the emergence and agents known to infect humans and studies shows that CRB are likely to be rapid spread through all continents of animals. distributed across the continent. Recently, carbapenem resistance mainly among They are more stable against inactivation gram negative CRB have been reported Gram-negative bacteria constitutes a by many-lactamases and are relatively in Chad, Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, global public-health challenge of major well tolerated with comparatively Tunisia and Uganda. However, up to the importance. fewer adverse effects. Alternatives to time of writing this article, the cases have There is need to generate quality data treatment with carbapenems for multi- mainly been detected at low to moderate in the continent about the molecular drug resistant (MDR) infections are levels in African countries. epidemiology of CRB and its burden on most often less effective and/or more It is unclear if the reported CRB - caused the health care system, document drivers toxic. Carbapenems are thus among the infections were as result of an outbreak of CRB development and spread and the reserved last resort class of antibiotics. or a sporadic occurrence. Nevertheless, prevalence in livestock and their products Presently, carbapenems are reservedly these data clearly shows that carbapenem along the value chains. used in the treatment of MDR infections resistance (CR) is fast emerging and Such knowledge will be key in formulating in many developed countries. However, spreading in Africa despite its limited targeted policies on the rational use of high prevalence of resistance to access. carbapenems and strategies to control the carbapenem is frequently being reported Several studies from developed countries emergence and spread of CRB. in those countries, while emerging have already characterized the prevalence This will be important because carbapenems evidence of global spread of carbapenem and distribution and genetic variants of are expected to become cheaper and readily resistant bacteria (CRB) is apparent. each genetic determinant of carbapenem available after their respective patents In particular, the findings from previous resistance in humans and to some extent expire. studies demonstrate a rapid and in livestock. John Njeru is a scientist at the Kenya geographically extended dissemination Worryingly, these variants and their Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) of CRB, causing serious outbreaks and molecular epidemiology are yet to be dramatically limiting treatment options. comprehensively documented in Africa. 28 ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 Climate-smart Brachiaria grass boosts productivity By Donald Njarui, Elias Gichangi and Sita Ghimire Livestock production Many initiatives to exploit improved changes in composition of vegetation and currently accounts on genetics and better veterinary services overall herbage quality. average about 35% of for increasing livestock productivity in In the regions where commercial dairy agricultural gross domestic SSA have been less effective because of farming is predominant, farmers have product (GDP) in Sub-Saharan Africa seasonal scarcity and poor-quality feed limited options of productive and climate (SSA). resources. resilient forages. Livestock is strategically important to Overgrazing and poor pasture For example, in Kenya, over 90% of dairy the continent’s food and nutritional management have led to decline farmers depends on Napier grass for their security, income generation, in palatable forage plant species, cattle but during the dry season, crop employment and livelihood of increased shrub land and degraded residues form the major component of the millions of people including habitat. feed. stallholder farmers. Livestock Lack of suitable forage options that Due to overreliance on Napier grass for a long productivity in SSA is among the are better adapted and resilient to period, it has become susceptible to pest and lowest in the world due to several abiotic (edaphic and climate) and biotic diseases, which cause yield reduction of up challenges related to nutrition, (pests and diseases) stress factors also to 90%. health, and genetics. The most contribute to low productivity. important constraint is a low quality On the other hand, crop residues are generally The escalating impact of climate and seasonal scarcity of feeds, which of low quality with crude protein of less change has exacerbated the feed become severe during the dry season. than 4 percent, which is not even adequate situation leading to reduced yield, Brachiaria grass growing in Kenya JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 29 ROOTOOBA Fodder (InnovAfrica)’ has been testing and integrating Brachiaria technology among smallholder farmers in SSA. Using innovative institutional approaches and extension and advisory services, the InnovAfrica project involves six African countries, with Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania participating in the up-scaling of Brachiaria grass – dairy value chain component. The project is promoting four Brachiaria grass cultivars, Basilisk, MG-4, Piata and Xaraes. These cultivars have broad agro- ecological adaptation, from sea level to 2300 metres above sea level and can Cows grazing on Bracharia Grass be cultivated in areas which receive an average minimum annual rainfall of 700 to meet the animal maintenance This demonstrates its important mm and dry spell of no longer than four requirements. roles in food and nutritional security, months. Improved forages generation of income and improved livelihoods. In Kenya and Tanzania, InnovAfrica has Improved forages constitute adopted innovative extension advisory promising innovative technology This study also revealed that due services, the Village Knowledge Centre that offers a pathway to minimalize to its deep and abundant root (VKC) to upscale the Brachiaria grass feed scarcity and boost livestock systems it has ability to fix large among livestock farmers. productivity. Brachiaria grass is a new amount of organic carbon in soil forage option with a high potential and thus contribute to reduction The VKC uses information and to improve livestock productivity in of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission communication technology (ICT) digital and provide other environmental based platforms, which make use of smart SSA. benefits. phone and social media for efficient and It is commercialized in Australia, effective information and knowledge Asia and South America where it Moreover, because it easy to digest, exchange. has greatly transformed the beef animals produce less amount of and dairy industries. Although GHG, making it superior to most of The social media platforms, WhatsApp other native grasses. and SMS have been created for networking Brachiaria grass originates from among farmers, extension agents and Africa, its contribution to livestock Brachiaria is less hairy and stemmy researchers and for capacity building. productivity has been negligible. than Napier grass and making it Through the VKC, there has been increased Benefits of Brachiaria grass attractive for cut-and-carry feeding access of information and knowledge system. Brachiaria grass is high yielding on Brachiaria grass management, with annual yield potential of 30 However, it is suitable for grazing conservation and on livestock feeding and tonnes dry matter/hectare under directly by livestock or can be improved access of seeds to farmers. good management. Cultivars with harvested and conserved as either Within three years of project perennial growth habit have a hay or silage for dry season feeding. It implementation, Brachiaria grass productive life of up to 20 years. highly persistent thus recovery and technology has benefitted over 20,000 regrowth after each grazing/cutting Brachiaria is well adapted to drought smallholder livestock farmers in Kenya, is vigorous. and low fertility acid soils. It contains Tanzania, and Rwanda. more crude protein than Napier Up-scaling Brachiaria grass Donald Njarui and Elias Gichangi are grass, is highly palatable and gives To achieve sustainable food and researchers at -Kenya Agricultural higher livestock productivity. nutrition security in Africa, the & Livestock Research Organization Research conducted by Kenya European Union-funded project (KALRO) Agricultural and Livestock ‘Innovations in Technology, Ghimire Sita is a researcher at - Research Organization (KALRO) Institutional and Extension International Livestock Research with smallholder farmers showed Approaches towards Sustainable Institute (ILRI) that Brachiaria grass increased milk Agriculture and Enhanced Food, production by up to 40%. and Nutrition Security in Africa 30 ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 John Njoroge with one of his prized cows Milking fruitful lessons from unique dairy farm Rootooba Managing Editor Alberto Leny and Photographer Kinoti Manyara tour prize-winning farmer John Njoroge’s Sprout Dairy Farm in Kiminini near Kitale in Kenya, a model success story and prime learning hub of urban farming for many agricultural institutions, researchers and farmers. Njoroge’s farm produces over 1,000 litres of milk a day, supplied to a leading Kenyan dairy firm. JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 31 ROOTOOBA Dairy enough stocks. Next he took us to the food supplements store and if you thought that human beings need a balanced diet, sample what goes into the cows’ menu: carbohydrates, maize germ, wheat bran, maize protein supplement, soya seeds, canola, cotton seed cake, fish meal, mineral supplements, Diamond V, dairy premix, natizyne, DCB, Twiga Max, Maziwa and Mepron Yeast. All these must be in the formation of the animal feed that includes a toxin binder to neutralize the aflatoxin in the dairy meal when it overstays due to the fluctuation of cold and humidity. Each cow consumes 18kg of feed daily, calves 2kg and bulls, which spend a lot time resting, 9kg. The feed also contains maize from the cob together with the seed Farm manager Nelson Wafula during one of the milking sessions. grinded with a grain crusher. The sheep consume 14kg in the morning and another From a humble background as a government officials. 14kg in the evening. petrol station pump attendant, On the day Njoroge granted us The maize silage includes the stem, leaves, John Njoroge has grown an interview, he had just hosted a and the sugar from the young maize from modest dairy farming powerful delegation of agriculture cob. There are three types of storage – beginnings to transform his Sprout officials on a tour of his one-acre farm underground silage, own surface dupes Dairy Farm into a top cream model that is today an established centre of silage and drum silage. centre of excellence in Kenya. learning for farmers across the region After being compressed for one week and No one would have imagined when he and neighbouring countries. soil placed on top and properly covered started in 2012 with one cow and one calf The farm manager, Nelson Wafula, with polythene, it can even stay for ten bought from a successful dairy farmer in gave us a brief introduction as we years without going bad. Kiminini on the outskirts of Kitale, that marveled at how they have achieved The maize silage and hay is fed to the just six years later he would become a such a high level of output within lactating cows, while the dry cows are fed celebrated dairy farmer rearing prime a farm occupying a one-acre space on silage, hay and meal concentrate. The breeds. where Njoroge also lives. calving cows on silage, hay and low calcium/ Njoroge shot into celebrity status in Njoroge attaches a personal identity phosphorous dairy meal. Calves below December 2018 when Kenya’s President to each of his cows, whose names Uhuru Kenyatta bought a champion bull include notable figures Uhuru, Raila, from his Sprout Dairy Farm for Sh1.15 Ruto, Chebukati, Chiloba and Kura. million during the inaugural Narok When we visited, Sprout Dairy Farm County Livestock Show and Auction. had 100 Ayrshire and Friesian cows Four lactators at So impressed was the President, himself and 58 Doper sheep. Wafula reveals Sprout Dairies a livestock breeder, with the quality of the secret of the success of the farm Njoroge’s bull that he was keen to find – the feeding programme for the (Gathoni, Queen, Riziki out how he had managed to achieve such cows. This elaborate process begins a remarkable feat. “The President was so and Solai) are high from the shamba where acres of impressed with the bull that weighed maize are planted and harvested yielders, producing 50- 1.5 tons,” Njoroge recalls beaming with when green before maturing and pride, “he said he had never seen such a 55 litres a day.delivered to Sprout Dairies where it is big bull!” transformed into silage. Njoroge’s success had already caught the At no one time should the cows lack attention of the local farming fraternity, feed, the manager says, adding that including the Trans Nzoia County they have to make sure they have department of agriculture and national 32 ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 Four lactators including this one are high yielders, producing 50-55 litres a day. three months (one to three months) meticulously recorded in a register, Njoroge recalls how he started with one feed on milk, silage and calf meal (high milking records for lactators from cow and one calf. After six months he proteins, carbohydrates and reduced birth to dry cows and in-calf heifers’ bought four more, bringing this to six, his mineral levels). record of breeding and treatment. initial herd. . The sheep are separated in partitions for A veterinary doctor is on standby His business acumen and instinct for feeding, with lactators, expectant sheep 24/7 to treat the animals. The most quality breeding saw Njoroge breed his and dry sheep staying with the calves. common ailment is a cold/sneeze. herd to 30 cows. Three males stay in each partitioning. Steaming cows six to nine months Today Sprout Dairies has become one of They are fed on hay, sheep meal, maize pregnant are confined to a maternity the most successful urban dairy farms germ, wheat bran, maize meal and ward. Calving down cows going into in Kenya, a center of excellence, a model protein supplement, seed cake, soya pregnancy have their udders hanging learning hub for national and county seeds, sunflower seed cake, mineral or attached to prevent mastitis. Raila government agricultural institutions, supplements, beef salt (copper amount in was eight months pregnant when we researchers and farmers. the minerals is not high). visited. “We receive many researchers and Sprout Dairy is a truly mixed farm with The semen for breeding is imported students keen to learn about modern geese, turkey, chicken, and guinea fowl from USA and Germany. Four lactators dairy farming methods,” said Njoroge serving an important duty of raking the (Gathoni, Queen, Riziki and Solai) are shortly after meeting some farmers from cows’ beddings after feeding to aerate high yielders, producing 50-55 litres a Uganda who wanted to buy cows from his them. day. Another 16 average 40 litres and farm. Cowsheds are sprayed once a month with ten produce 35 litres for a total of 1,060 Njoroge assures potential dairy farmers a knapsack or car wash ordinary crush. litres a day output. of a good return on investments. “Apart The cows’ dropping (dung) has a ready Machine milking is done three times – from my passion for dairy farming, it is a market after every 24 hours and the farm 4am, noon and 5.30pm and the milking good investment and I encourage Kenyans produces 10 tons every day. parlour is limited to four cows per pen. to take it seriously as an agribusiness There is a mastitis detection strip for There is a clean supply of water venture. It is also an important avenue every milking. If there is clotting in a harvested in gutters and pipes fed into for job creation.” drop of milk, mastitis is suspected and an underground tank and treated with He tells prospective dairy farmers to start treated with a disinfection mastrite. rock alarm and chlorine. During the dry small and build up slowly, reminding The milk is then weighed and recorded season, water is drawn from the river them that the number one requirement for each cow before being transferred pumped into the underground tank and is animal feed, followed by housing and to cans, draughts and coolers, ready for treated before watering the livestock. cleanliness. dispatch. All the cows’ details and history are JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 33 ROOTOOBA Livestock Double trouble for beast of burden killed for food By Marion Wagaki The drastic decline in the donkeys were slaughtered between Munya in February 2020 banned population of donkeys 2016 and 2018 by the four licensed abattoirs from slaughtering donkeys.in Kenya has raised an slaughterhouses in the country. The The CS said the 2012 decision that outcry among local and figure could be higher because of legalised trade in donkey meat and international animal rights activists, unreported cases. hide to meet growing demand in prompting government intervention. The rapid decline in the population China had been a mistake as it had From a population of 1.8 million of donkeys left lobbyists and farmers caused their population to fall. donkeys in 2010, this has dropped to baying for the shutting down of the There is a huge demand for donkey below 1.2 million, mainly due to the slaughterhouses in a bid to protect skin in China where the skins ill-fated 2012 government decision to the prized domesticated animals. are boiled to produce gelatine, an allow their slaughter for meat and Prompted by the raging protests, essential ingredient in Chinese ‘ejiao” hides. Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and products - popular health foods According to official figures, 301,977 Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Peter and traditional medicine. The ejiao The drastic decline in the population of donkeys in Kenya is mainly due to the ill-fated 2012 government decision to allow their slaughter for meat and hides. 34 ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 products can sell for up to $400. spree, donkey farmers expressed were willing to sell their animals due to UK-based charity The Donkey fears that their herds would be wiped the attractive prices they fetched from Sanctuary estimates that 1.8 million out if the trend continues. brokers to the slaughterhouses. skins are traded every year, but The farmers, through the Alliance CS Munya revoked the licences of the the demand is as high as 10 million. for Donkey Welfare Organizations four main donkey slaughterhouses, According to government data, in Kenya (ADWOK) have urged the giving them a one-month notice to shift China’s donkey population dropped government to maintain the ban on to handling other animals like sheep, from 11 million in 1990 to three the slaughter of donkeys, calling for goats and cattle. million today. increased vigilance on the activities According to Kiambu Donkeys Owners Botswana, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, of the slaughterhouses. Association Chair, Leonard Kagwi , the Senegal, Tanzania and Uganda have Farming Systems Kenya Executive government in 1999 gazetted the donkey also joined Kenya in banning donkey Director Dr Raphael Kinoti says the as a food animal with the aim of curbing products to China. increase in global demand for donkey bush slaughter and improving food The mass slaughtering of donkeys skin had led to the establishment and security. He says increased demand had also spawned a black market in licensing of four export slaughter for donkey skin from global markets Kenya, with skin-smuggling networks houses in the country between 2016 threatens the existence of the animal. hiring gangs to steal donkeys. The and 2018. “The annual rate of 5.1 percent of value of an adult donkey more than “The licensed slaughterhouses in donkeys slaughtered is five times higher quadrupled. four counties include Goldox Kenya than the annual population growth Women and men from farming Ltd in Baringo County, Star Brilliant rate that stands at 1.4 percent. This is a communities had protested outside Donkey Abattoir in Nakuru County, devastating state of affairs for the donkey Munya’s offices demanding action to Silzha Ltd in Turkana County and farmers mainly because it is reducing protect the donkey population. Some Fuhai Machakos Trading Co. Ltd the country’s donkey population,” says carried a placard that read: “When in Kithyoko, Machakos County,” Kagwi. donkeys are stolen or killed, women explained Kinoti. Lucy Erika a donkey farmer from Turkana are turned into donkeys.” Kinoti says research conducted by says donkeys play a crucial role in the Other than their increased decline Kenya Agricultural and Livestock hard terrain as it acts as an ambulance to due to the ravishing appetite of Research Organization (KALRO) in take the sick and elderly to hospital, and consumers back home, abattoir 2019 showed that donkey keepers and helps in carrying their belongings as they owners, mainly originating from users whose livelihoods depended migrate in search of pasture and water. China, piled on the woes bedevilling on the donkey earn an average of “The slaughter of donkeys has brought the beast of burden. Sh11,390 per month from providing insecurity in our communities and transportation services. Donkeys play a key role in Kenya’s rendered us vulnerable because when agricultural economy and about “The 2019 census shows that the one wants to steal your donkeys, they 75% are working animals used in country has a population of 1.8 million most likely will hurt you or kill you so transport and farming, fetching donkeys and within the three years, that they can take away the animals,” water, firewood, carrying farm it lost a third of that population from said Erika. produce and other goods. both licensed and bush slaughter of There are more than 40 million donkeys the animals,” notes Kinoti. Despite the vital role they play in in the world, mostly in developing the rural and pastoral economy, Speaking in Nairobi during a forum countries, where they are used nearly 40% of the working donkey on the update on the ban of donkey principally as draught or pack animals. population is suffering under slaughter, Kinoti said that in a day, Working donkeys are often associated disturbing conditions, suffering from 1,200 donkeys could be slaughtered with those living at or below subsistence work-related injuries, malnutrition and in a very short time their levels. Small numbers of donkeys are and lameness. population would be decimated. kept for breeding or as pets in developed countries. With the decline in numbers He said the problem of donkey theft aggravated during the slaughter begun when community members JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 35 ROOTOOBA Livestock Ethiopia’s thriving leather industry needs a new boot By Wandera Ojanji Ethiopia’s leather industry cattle population in Africa and the added products, the Ethiopian has experienced remarkable second largest total population of government in 2008 imposed 150% transformation over the livestock in Africa (after Nigeria), taxation on semi-processed leather last two decades to become ranking eighth globally. exports. Before 2008, tanneries an important and strategic sector in Livestock keepers help the country exported large quantities of wet blue the country’s social, economic and produce about eight million and semi-processed skins. industrial growth. cowhides, 12 million sheepskins and This development strategy created This tremendous growth of the eight million goatskins annually. a path for the transformation of the Ethiopian labour industry has largely Ethiopian hides and skins, especially local leather industry, which mostly been attributed to the abundance those from highland sheepskins have consists of transforming leather into of raw materials, favourable a worldwide reputation for quality, shoes, leather garments, stitched government policies and incentives thickness, flexibility, strength, upholstery, backpacks, handbags, to foreign direct investments (FDIs). compact structure, and a clean inner luggage, travel goods, purses and With about 57.83 million cattle, 28.04 surface. gloves. million sheep and 28.61 million head To discourage export of hides and To attract FDIs, the Ethiopian of goats, Ethiopia has the largest skins and boost exports of value- government went further and Workers arrange shoes made at a factory established through foreign direct investment policies adopted by the Ethiopian government. 36 ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 United States. The USA alone has bought more than two million Ethiopian leather shoes in the last few years. The policy change has since attracted four glove factories, one local and three FDIs. Exports have grown from zero in 2012 to $6 million in 2018, and it is still growing. However, despite the strong raw materials base and government incentives, experts believe the sector is yet to be fully tapped and is actually underperforming. Only 50% of hides and skins potential is being utilized currently. Indeed, the sector failed to realise the government targets during the First Growth and Transformation Plan (GTPI 2010/11-2014/15) and the Second Growth and Transformation Plan (GTPII 2015/2016 – 2019/2020). But why is the Ethiopian leather sector Friendship Tannery PLC in Mojo, Ethiopia produces finished leather for shoes, underperforming? bags, gloves and sofa. The main problem lies in the collection provided a four or five-year tax One of the largest shoe exporters in and processing of its rich supply of hides holiday for companies who invest in China – Huajian – set up a factory in and skins. This resource is not valued as the country to export finished leather Ethiopia in 2011, as part of a plan to a raw material for the leather industry products or a duty-free import of invest US$2 billion over 10 years in and is perceived more as a by-product machinery for these companies. developing manufacturing clusters of meat or simply as waste, mainly These incentives have made a great focused on shoemaking for export. due to structural problems occurring throughout the value chain of leather impact on the country’s leather The company produces shoes for products. sector, attracting more than 75 brands such as Guess and Calvin domestic and foreign leather and Klein and hopes to see its exports Nearly 80% of raw hides and skins leather product factories to invest in from Ethiopia reach US$4 billion transacted in the formal market are Ethiopia. within 10 years. derived from the rural areas, and only 20% are collected from abattoirs and There are 36 tanneries, all of them The Japanese manufacturer slaughterhouses in large cities and owned by the private sector, which Hiroki Co. Ltd set up a $400,000 towns. In the rural areas, even the meat process about 20 million skins and manufacturing operation in Ethiopia, itself is not the main purpose of animal two million hides every year. Finished where it produces shoes and other husbandry, because the farmer needs leather products such as shoes now luxury accessories made from his animal(s) as productive assets - as form the bulk of leather exports. leather. draught power and milk provision - more Leather exports, which stood at $23 The Ethiopian shoe industry than the income he could earn if he sold million in 2013, reached $133 million has grown exponentially both in them into the market. in 2018. production and export, producing Thus, large numbers of animals are held The leather sector has attracted 24 million pairs for the local and for five to seven years or more to meet all kinds of players, from small- export market from leather and these purposes and animals this old do scale artisans manufacturing low- non-leather materials. However, only not produce the best meat and their price leather goods such as wallets, 3.54 million pairs are exported to the hides are usually so worn that they have shoes, and bags to medium and international market, 95% of them limited value to the leather industry. high-scale highly branded leather from leather, with 91% of the export manufacturers such as Zaaf, Meron done through FDI. Availability of hides and skins for Addis Ababa, Sabegn and Kuncho processing is therefore determined by the The largest markets for high quality leather producing branded wears and rate of meat consumption. Consequently, leather goods remain Europe and the professional accessories. the supply of hides and skins is much JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 37 ROOTOOBA Livestock lower than its full potential, mainly due to a weak meat the skins before entering tanneries. Peri-slaughter damage industry characterised by low off-take rates (7% for cattle, accounts for 20% of the defects in hides and skins. 33% for sheep and 37% for goat). Overcoming these difficulties requires substantial These low off-taker rates are attributed to two main changes in current traditional husbandry practices, their factors: First, the high livestock death rate, which is double sanitary conditions and the handling practices of the the African average. According to the Agricultural Growth skins entering tanneries. Project - Livestock Market Development Value Chain Ethiopian tanneries still have strong difficulties producing analysis for Ethiopia, the death rate was 10% for cattle, 19% finished leather to meet quality standards allowing either for sheep and 20% for goats. tanneries or Ethiopian leather manufacturers to directly Second, meat consumption in Ethiopia is one of the enter the highly competitive international market. lowest in Africa due to the low per capita incomes, high The main exporters of high-end leather are Argentina, domestic meat prices and the Orthodox Christians fasting France, Australia and the USA. These countries have period, which means that 43% of the population does not undeniably a higher quality of finished leather and are consume meat products for over 200 days in a year. This closer to the consumption market, thus more anchored in reduces aggregate demand by 20 to 35%. the fashion segment. The quality of this supply is further limited by structural Another factor making the Ethiopian leather industry problems related to the skins’ complex marketing channels underperform, though not of its own making, is the large and to the non-transmission of price signals from the volumes of imports of footwear from Asia and second- tannery level to the farmers. hand shoes from Europe and North America that are Most of the rural slaughter of livestock is carried seriously affecting the local shoe manufacturing industry. out under very poor conditions. Goats and sheep are The level of total import penetration of shoes is 73.3% for slaughtered mainly on slabs in homesteads, while cattle the whole of Africa. are slaughtered in poorly equipped slaughter points, This gap between resources and production shows the usually located near butchers’ shops in trading centres, considerable potential of the Ethiopian leather industry. where the infrastructure is sometimes a slab of concrete Reducing this gap is especially critical for the economic under a tree, or poles used to hoist carcasses. and industrial development of Ethiopia. The tools are usually rudimentary and cause damage to Not only does this sector have an excellent and renewable the hides and skins. Peri-slaughter (ripping and flaying resource base, but it is also labour-intensive, with the damage) and post-slaughter (abrasion, damage by pests potential to become a major source of employment all and molds, and inappropriate curing methods) damages along its supply chain. High quality shoes, boots, wallets, belts are among the ready leather products for the export market. 38 ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 The Black Soldier Fly has been evaluated for its nutritive characteristics and safety to human health. Black Soldier Fly leads insects’ livestock feed By Kanegeni NN, Muia JMK, Sambu S, Ndungu M and Ndirangu M The livestock sub-sector production. However, production the dipteran family Stratiomyidae. It contributes about 12% is struggling to keep up with the is encountered in nature worldwide of Kenya’s national demands of expanding human in the tropical and sub-tropical areas gross domestic product populations, the rise in urbanization between the latitudes of 40 degrees (GDP), accounts for 30% of the total and the associated shifts in diet south and 45 degrees north. The marketed agricultural products, and habits. BSF is an effective biological tool in employs 50% of the agricultural High costs of feed hinder the livestock waste management. It is known to labour force. sector from attaining potential reduce organic waste by up to 80% The fisheries and aquaculture output to meet rising demand. depending on the waste type and industry contributes about 0.8% to source. Insects have been identified the GDP, provides direct employment as potential alternatives to the This organic matter biomass opportunities to over 500,000 people conventionally used protein sources reduction process provides nutrient- and supports over two million people in livestock feed due to their rich rich organic manure that enhances indirectly. nutrient content and the fact that soil fertility while improving soil The aquaculture systems recorded they can be reared on decomposing structure and many other benefits. production of 24,096 metric tons in organic matter. The fly was recruited in recent years 2014 but have a far greater capacity of to address nutritional challenges in Many insects including the Black over 11 million tons per year. livestock. Soldier Fly (BSF) have been evaluated In Africa, livestock production for their nutritive characteristics as Initially, commercial feed formulation currently accounts for about 30% well as safety to human health. The heavily depended on Silverfish as the of the gross value of agricultural BSF (Hermetia illucens) belongs to main protein supplement. This is no JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 39 ROOTOOBA Livestock larvae are introduced to start the cycle. At this stage, the crude protein and fatty-acids are well developed. They are then harvested, cleaned by a sieve that allows the substrate to filter through, leaving the larvae mass that is then dried up to about 14% moisture level that is usually suitable for storage Optimising Conditions for Larvae Growth The larvae require warm climate. If too hot, the larvae will crawl away from the food in search of a cooler location. If too cold, the larvae will slow down their metabolism, eat less and develop slower. They also require a shaded environment. If their food source is exposed to light, they will move deeper into the layer of food to escape. This denies BSF rearing house. The house is a modified green house to raise temperature to them the layer of feed at the surface and optimal levels. even distribution in the substrate. The longer tenable because of overfishing, and dried for use as livestock feed food substrate has to be quite moist, with fluctuating weather patterns, water while the rest is left to continue the water content between 60% and 90% to aid pollution and other environmental cycle to maturity. ingestion, rich in crude protein and readily challenges. The dried larvae can be fed directly available carbohydrates. Silverfish is also the cheapest protein to farm animals, particularly fish and Nutritive value of larvae source that addresses the dietary poultry or mixed with energy source The dry weight of larvae contain up to protein needs for man, leading to a ingredients like maize and wheat 50% crude protein, up to 35% lipids and sharp drop in the supply of fish to products to make a complete ration. have an amino acid profile similar to that meet the two competing demands. Larvae emerging from a batch of eggs of fishmeal. Proteins are a very limiting, The response is overfishing, high (about 600) laid by one fly can weigh vital and most costly ingredient in feed market prices, low protein supply to up to 100 grammes when fully mature. compounding. In formulating a BSF animals and competition for the fish The larvae are reared on a diet larvae-based ration, a carbohydrate regime, with man, triggering malnutrition to commonly referred to as the substrate. vitamins and minerals are the only other both. The substrate is from various organic ingredients required. There is an urgent need to replace waste such as table scraps, composting Kanegeni NN, Muia JMK, Sambu S, Ndungu the conventional source of protein feed like kitchen waste, hotel and M and Ndirangu M from KALRO-DRC, such as silverfish and soybean municipal waste and animal manure. Ol Joro Orok and KALRO-DRI, Naivasha with insect-based ones, which are Pig dung has been shown to promote contributed to this article innovative, economically beneficial rapid larvae growth compared to that and environmentally sustainable of other farm animals. Rearing black soldier fly larvae for Once fermented, a handful of the livestock feed The BSF does not carry diseases, and actively feeding larvae secrete an info-chemical that keeps away other species of flies, thereby repelling potential insect pests and disease vectors. The larvae are the most important and of interest to the livestock industry for their nutritive value. They are harvested just before pupation when they have attained maximum growth. As a normal practice, about three- quarters of the larvae are harvested Black Soldier Fly larvae are harvested and dried for use as livestock feed and some left to mature. 40 ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 Backing Sahel pastoralists to secure a resilient future By Special Correspondent One morning in February, seven days before giving him a name. herds from one place to another, in Kaffrine Region, Surrounded by their herds of cows, along with some 800,000 herders Senegal, Kaffia Diallo sheep and goats, Kaffia helped her in Senegal and millions of others emerged from her tent. daughter with the birth in their tent in throughout the Sahel. She is happy; her new grandson the middle of the brush, far from the With 75% of the Sahel being too was born just two days earlier. “A closest medical centre. dry to allow livestock herders to be beautiful baby,” she said, “although I This is nothing new for Kaffia. She sedentary, they adapt, moving their wish he weighed a little more.” comes from a family of livestock herds according to the availability of Following tradition, they will wait herders who seasonally move their water and pastureland. JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 41 ROOTOOBA Livestock “We have always been a family of the resident farmers and herders. and to food security by selling their herders and I began moving our “Each year we put up our camps close milk and animals on the road. herds when I was 15 years old,” Kaffia to the same villages where we sell our While this coexistence is generally explained. “But now that I am old, I products, buy food and take water harmonious and is part of a win- stay in the village and take care of from the collective wells. If necessary, win ecological cycle, it can also be a my grandchildren. This year was an we go to the doctor or have our animals source of tension. Water has become exception because my daughter was cared for.” said Kaffia, who has “about” increasingly scarce and farmers pregnant.” 250 goats and sheep and a dozen cows. are expanding their fields as the Climate change is a reality here In the Sahel, no herder says exactly population grows, encroaching on Each year, at the first signs of how many heads they have for fear of pastoral regions and transhumance drought in early November, as soon bad luck. corridors. as rivers start to dry up and pastures The role of pastoral herders is generally “Migrant herders are arriving earlier become scarce, the family leaves the underestimated. Eco-friendly before and earlier, before the end of our Podor region in the north, close to the anyone else was--owing to their harvests and sometimes the animals border with Mauritania, and moves extensive methods of livestock raising destroy our fields,” said Hamadj south. and the mobility of their herds—they Barry, mayor of a village near the They travel by cart in search of food provide many essential services. Kaffia family encampment. for their own herd and the herds they They help improve vast tracts of non- The situation has been complicated care for on behalf of uncles, cousins arable land and serve as an economic in recent years by long periods and farmers in their village who also lung for the region. They also of drought, growing insecurity in raise cattle. contribute to agricultural productivity some countries of the Sahel, and “When our animals have eaten all of by grazing their herds on fields after more and more restrictions on the the available grasses, we move south, the harvest thereby fertilizing the soil, movements of herds and herders sometimes as far as the Gambian border,” explained Kaffia, her eyes weary and her face weathered by years of relentless sun, wind and dust. It is a months-long journey that pastoralist populations often take with several families. When the first rains return in June, they head back north. But as Kaffia explained, “This year, as the grasses became scarce earlier, we had to head out in October.” Here, climate change is not an opinion, it is a reality. The rainy seasons are growing shorter and the dry seasons are longer, sometimes lasting up to nine months. The drought in 2010 was particularly arduous. In Niger, it is estimated to have killed more than 4.8 million head of cattle, roughly 25% of the herd, representing a loss of more than $700 million for the country’s economy. Even though the routes change depending on water points, pastures and the constraints of the growing insecurity in the region, herders generally use the same roads. This creates long-lasting links between 42 ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 environment, and help the countries restore the living conditions of their population, particularly livestock herders, who are essential links in the socio-economic development and stability of the region." In each of these countries, PRAPS has made it possible to establish rules for managing the areas primarily dedicated to pastoralism. This includes essential infrastructure established around water points, such as reception zones for the pastoral herders, pasture for the livestock, vaccination stations, livestock markets, fodder storage warehouses, and shops managed The herders leave with the animals, while the rest of the family follows by cart with all of by women. the necessary supplies. Increasingly wives remain in the village with the youngest children so they can go to school. -Photo: Vincent Tremeau/World Bank A president oversees the system and various village committees responsible among the countries of West Africa. This It is supported by $248 million in for managing this infrastructure. has seriously disrupted traditional herd financing from the World Bank through “One of the things that has most changed management methods, resulting in more the International Development our lives is the training provided by water frequent and potentially more serious Association (IDA), and coordinated by and forestry officials for combating conflicts. the Permanent Inter-State Committee brushfires,” explained Hamidj. “It is a PRAPS: A project benefitting millions of for Drought Control in the Sahel transmission of knowledge that we will pastoral and agropastoralist families (CILSS). keep forever.” Despite the challenges, the situation has Greater resilience and better living been peaceful in Hamadj’s village for "The World Bank is trying to achieve conditions for pastoralists some time now. Herders and villagers two main goals in the Sahel: mobilize “When PRAPS was set up in 2015, there have learned to listen to one another and financial resources to protect a fragile engage in discussion to find solutions. “We welcome the herders and show them where they can set up their encampment,” explains Hamadj, who is also the head of a dialogue committee that promotes social mediation. “We also make them aware of their rights and their obligations.” These committees complement other related actions taken by the Senegalese government since 2015 under the Regional Sahel Pastoralism Support Project (PRAPS). Deployed in six countries of the Sahel—Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Senegal—PRAPS aims to protect pastoral systems by improving resource management and animal health, facilitating access to markets, diversifying sources of income for pastoral households and managing Koumpentoum, Senegal. Amadou Diallo speaks with herders and farmers during a conflicts. consultation meeting to open a dialogue and seek compromises so that solutions can be found and conflicts reduced. - Photo: Vincent Tremeau/World Bank. JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 43 ROOTOOBA Livestock Ousmane Diagana World Bank Vice President for the As they move, herders water their herds at collective water points. They own on average Western and Central Africa Region 200 to 500 head of livestock. Considering that a goat or sheep consumes 5 litters of water per day on average, a cow, 25 litters, and a camel, up to 30 litters, this can create tensions with sedentary populations on sharing water. - Photo: Vincent Tremeau/World Bank. was a great deal of conflict,” said Maty Ba level ministers, to put in place a colossal Diao, regional project coordinator for the logistical framework across countries.” CILSS. “This project has helped increase Sustaining achievements, overcoming the resilience of pastoral families by COVID-19 hurdles enabling them to express their needs, There is still work to be done, and the “The World Bank providing them with essential services COVID-19 pandemic calls into question and infrastructure, and giving them is trying to achieve the hard-won balance. Border closures the tools and knowledge they need to have meant herds of livestock have not two main goals in manage this grazing land themselves on been able to return to their homelands, a sustainable basis.” the Sahel: mobilize creating significant animal health risks Between 2015 and 2020, PRAPS helped with their high concentration at the financial resources establish and improve the management borders. of more than 5 million hectares of to protect a fragile Overexploitation of pastures has also pastureland, 181 water points, and 66 increased the risk of conflicts between environment, and help cattle markets, while delineating 1,414 farmers and herders at the start of km of transhumance corridors. It also the countries restore the agricultural season. In addition, supported the economic activity of restrictions on mobility have led to sharp the living conditions 20,700 people, 88% of whom were women. increases in livestock prices in towns, and of their population, “The World Bank is trying to achieve the closure of weekly markets has made two main goals in the Sahel: mobilize the livelihoods of pastoralists all the more particularly livestock financial resources to protect a fragile precarious. environment, and help the countries herders, PRAPS partners have mobilized to set up restore the living conditions of their monitoring initiatives, strengthen existing population, particularly livestock early warning systems, and provide herders, who are essential links in targeted responses to support those in the socio-economic development and agro-pastoral sectors. The path is mapped stability of the region”, said Ousmane out and the World Bank has committed to Diagana, Vice President of the World providing additional funding to PRAPS to Bank for Western and Central Africa. strengthen achievements and sustainably “PRAPS is an example of successful increase the resilience of millions of cooperation. Everyone had to be pastoral families in the Sahel. mobilized, from village chiefs to high- 44 ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 Pig producers Farmer’s Choice breed of quality By Murimi Gitari Demand for processed food Pig Procurement Manager George of any disease outbreaks. products from livestock Monari outlines how the company “While we have our own ranch where is steadily increasing works hand-in-hand with contracted we rear pigs, we have contracted worldwide as consumers farmers in the production of quality farmers who supply us with 70% of seek the best quality of fresh and pigs for quality products. the pigs we process.” says Monari. processed meats in their diet. Monari, whose duty is to ensure The company looks for and signs Farmer’s Choice Ltd, which has been on a daily basis that the company contracts with farmers who can in existence for over 40 years, prides gets enough pigs for slaughter and guarantee to supply at least 10 quality itself as the leading producer of these coordinates all activities across pigs every month. “Once we enter products. The firm places emphasis the pig department, says a team of a contract with these farmers, we on quality control from the source to extension officers reaches to educate conduct monthly training on better the table. the farmers on how to feed the pig farming practices that will not How has Farmer's Choice managed pigs, come up with better housing, only benefit the farmers but also the to guarantee their clients the quality stalking density (number of pigs per company in the production of quality of the products? The company’s house) and management and control end products,” explains Monari. Pigs require a healthy and hygienic place to grow well and prevent livestock diseases spreading in farms, and to avoid contamination. JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 45 ROOTOOBA Livestock The training provides information and and get ready for another anti-mortem According to Monari, the Farmer’s necessary materials to the farmers on pig before they get to the slaughterhouse. Choice Ranch in Limuru, Kiambu production such as breeds and breeding, “During transportation, there is agitation, County, is the best pig farm in East feeds and feeding, bio-security and hygiene so we allow the pigs to rest for their bodies and Central Africa. The breeds grow practices. to adjust to normalcy. The agitation affects fast with an efficient feed conversion Field officers also visit farmers to conduct the body physiology of the pigs, releasing ratio and mature in 5-6 months with a anti-mortem assessments to check the hormones to the body system that gives the guarantee of attaining 100kg. health status of the pigs, their age, weight pigs a defence mechanism. If slaughtered Monari says consistent supply is and hygiene and also to ensure the pigs immediately they are offloaded, the quality not guaranteed due to expensive have no defects like hernia. of the meat or end products gets affected,” farm feeds that add to the cost All males must be castrated at the tender notes Monari. of production. He adds that the age of between 1-2 weeks. “The males have After offloading, vets conduct inspection Procurement Department strains to borne taint that usually affects the final to look for any suspect among the supplied get quality animals for processing, a products as the smell can be felt if the animals. Inspection for post-mortem is also situation that makes them invest more product was produced from an uncastrated conducted to ascertain that the carcass is in the training of farmers. Disease male pig,” he explains. All the animals must fit for human consumption. Any non- management and control is another also come from a disease-free zone. conforming pigs and rejected carcasses are problem, especially the African Swine The farmers then pick a local purchase not paid for and are incinerated within the Flu. order (LPO) from the company if they pass company premises under security watch. Like many other sectors, Farmer's the anti-mortem test and later get a no Farmers are paid within 24 hours of the Choice has also been affected by the objection order. pigs’ slaughter, based on the cold dressed Covid-19 pandemic, with the lockdown The local veterinary office issues the weight (CDW) and back fat criteria. making movement of pigs expensive. Many farmers scaled down their farmers with a movement permit that The quality and quantity of feeds operations, while others closed down allows them to load their pigs on trucks determine the period the pigs will take their farms, reducing the supply of pigs and deliver to the company. Farmer's Choice to grow. A pig will consume a maximum necessary to meet the market demand advises on the type of trucks to be used in of 395kg of feed or a minimum of 265kg, of its products. transportation of the pigs, which must be equivalent to 3kg per day for 5-6 months. well ventilated, spacious enough, and with It is not all bleak though as the company While there is a small proportion of non- a canopy. looks to the future with optimism and contracted farmers who walk in with two hopes for a post COVID-19 recovery, Pigs are delivered between 6am and 6pm to to three pigs, which can be bought if they anchored on teamwork and staff comply with the Animal Movement Act. On pass the required tests, contract farmers morale to deliver quality products, arrival, they are offloaded and allowed to rest currently enjoy a bonus of Sh10 for every which he says is unmatched. for a maximum of 8 hours to reduce stress kilogramme supplied. 46 ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 The Global Landscapes Forum discussed the ‘The food, climate and biodiversity ‘triple challenge’ and One Health in the Greater Virunga Landscape’ - one of the most biodiverse landscapes in the world, if not the most biodiverse. Global experts seek new ways to curb pandemics By Alberto Leny Global Landscapes Forum across the science, policy, corporate linked, and improving both human (GLF), the world’s largest and civil society realms, including and planetary health relies upon all biodiversity conference UN Convention on Biological sectors uniting in transformational of the year 2020, brought Diversity Executive Secretary change. together 5,000 participants from 148 Elizabeth Mrema, who states nature “The G7 comes together at a crucial countries for the GLF Biodiversity is an important part of the solution time for the health of people and the Digital Conference: ‘One World—One and that conserving and restoring planet. COVID-19 is not only a health Health’. ecosystems can prevent further crisis; it is also an economic, social The online event cultivated a global degradation. and environmental crisis. As such, it dialogue on ways to ‘build back Delivering the same message to cannot be tackled in isolation. better’ from COVID-19 while tackling the G7 Summit on December 16, “The fight against COVID-19, and the the climate and biodiversity crises. Mrema said population health and plans to build back better after we The forum featured 261 speakers from the environment are inextricably have passed the peak of the crisis, JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 47 ROOTOOBA Development require cooperation across all domains, to develop a globally coordinated Restoration and CBD post-2020 a whole-of-government approach that response to the human and Global Biodiversity Framework. also mobilises science and business ecological health crises, integrating Central to these proposals was the – an approach that recognises the the One Health and landscape need to place communities and connection between human health and approaches. youth at the centre of conservation the health and resilience of nature. • Placing people at the heart of efforts. Indigenous peoples and She calls for an integrated approach to conservation: The conference local communities steward some health and the environment, along the placed traditional knowledge of the planet’s most biodiverse and lines of the One Health approach. This and expertise at the centre often fragile landscapes, and their involves designing and implementing of sustainable development, traditional knowledge can provide programmes, policies, legislation and emphasizing the need to include valuable tools against biodiversity research in which multiple sectors indigenous peoples and local loss. Youth participants made communicate and work together to communities in decision-making up a third of attendees at GLF achieve better public health outcomes. processes. Biodiversity. “It is necessary not only as we work to • Meeting commitments: Speakers “The relationship between people recover from the crisis, and to build back and participants advocated and nature must be one of better, but also as we work to create an moving beyond pledges and interdependence,” said Tonio Sadik, ambitious post-2020 global biodiversity integrating local and global action Director of Environment at the framework. If we work together to take on biodiversity into international Assembly of First Nations of Canada. care of nature, nature takes better care policy frameworks. “Otherwise, we risk overlooking of us. • Passing the baton: GLF Biodiversity something that Indigenous peoples Biodiversity is the foundation of human mobilized a generation of have known all along: that we are health. It supports food security, dietary future leaders, including young nature, and nature is us. Failing to health and livelihoods. It plays an professionals and students, to take see this simple truth is what has important role in the regulation and on the biodiversity crisis. gotten us into this mess in the first control of infectious diseases. place.” The COVID-19 pandemic is a direct One of the keynote speakers at the result of human interference with the “We have to think seriously GLF was EcoHealth Alliance President planet’s systems, speakers pointed out, about succession planning for Peter Daszak that conducts research emphasizing the urgent need to bridge biodiversity conservation and use,” and outreach programmes on global gaps between scientists, policymakers added Mildred Crawford, from health, conservation and international and the public through a One Health the Caribbean Network of Rural development approach. Women Producers. “Our youth plays Daszak is a British zoologist and an a critical role in this area because “We need to tear down the barriers expert on disease ecology, in particular when we retire, the baton needs to between the public health, animal on zoonosis – an infectious disease that be passed on.”health and eco-health communities,” has jumped from a non-human animal said Dennis Carroll, Chair of the to humans. Zoonotic pathogens may Leadership Board of the Global Virome be bacterial, viral or parasitic, or may Project. “Viruses don’t care about these involve unconventional agents and can artificial barriers.” The COVID-19 spread to humans through food, water GLF Biodiversity aimed to break down or the environment. pandemic is a these silos by facilitating an exchange Reaching 35 million people on social of ideas and proposals between diverse direct result media, GLF Biodiversity was the stakeholders to inform global policy. latest milestone in the GLF’s mission of human With the release of 15 white papers, of sparking a movement of 1 billion the conference made an informed, interference people around sustainable landscapes. unequivocal call for more ambitious The outcome statement for the event with the planet’s action, backed by a range of policy identified four pathways towards a recommendations from organizations systems paradigm shift in conservation: including CIFOR–ICRAF, Nia Tero, GIZ, • Building back better: GLF IUCN and The Borneo Project to further Biodiversity rallied participants inform the UN Decade on Ecosystem 48 ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 Innovation and extension to lift African agriculture By Murimi Gitari As Africa comes to terms the foundations of health. “Unless of digital technology to achieve with the shock of the we take immediate action, we risk transformative change, and devastating impact of a global food emergency that could strengthen international governance the COVID-19 crisis, have long-term impacts on hundreds mechanisms. experts are counting on research of millions of children and adults,” He stressed the need to speed up the and extension to help the continent warns FAO Director-General Qu availability of digital data in rural recover and build back better its Dongyu. areas, to remodel food systems from agricultural food systems. “We need our agri-food systems the field to the supermarket and to The United Nations Food and to deliver food security and better reduce food loss and waste. Agriculture Organization (FAO) is nutrition for all, to be economically Innovation in agriculture is the contributing to international efforts sustainable, to be inclusive and to central driving force for achieving to defeat hunger and improve local have a positive impact on climate and a world free from hunger and economies by helping its member environment,” Qu stressed during malnutrition, the organization countries modernize and improve the World Trade Organization’s believes. That is why FAO has placed agriculture, forestry, and fisheries virtual Agriculture Symposium on 2 innovation at the forefront in practices. December 2020. supporting small farmers in their role The COVID-19 pandemic is Qu reterated the need to invest as food heroes of the food systems. jeopardizing human health and in research, development and The world’s food systems are under disrupting the food systems that are infrastructure, harness the power There is great opportunity with technology among the youth to increase Africa’s agricultural potential. Photo: Orange Hello-Future JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 49 ROOTOOBA Innovation threat and Africa’s are most vulnerable. The central role that family farmers on nine countries - Burkina Faso, To prevent a global food emergency, play in agricultural innovation Cambodia, Colombia, Eritrea, Lao FAO is calling for $1.3 billion in initial was clearly recognized during People’s Democratic Republic, investments to provide an agile and this symposium, a direct and firm Malawi, Pakistan, Rwanda and coordinated global response to ensure response to member countries’ Senegal. nutritious food for all during and after encouragement for FAO to play a In Rwanda, the CDAIS project the pandemic. strong catalytic and supporting role brought a new way of working, Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, to empower family farmers through which succeeded in solving hunger continued to increase. In innovation. problems accessing water needed for 2019, almost 690 million people – or The symposium provided a roadmap food production. nearly one in ten people in the world for innovation actors and decision- FAO also participates in other – went hungry. FAO’s The State of Food makers, celebrating inspiring innovative projects including Security and Nutrition in the World success stories of innovators, acting “Small farms, small food businesses 2020 states the pandemic may have as catalyst for boosting partnerships and sustainable food security” pushed an additional 130 million and public and private investments (SALSA), funded by the research people in the world into chronic to foster and scale up agricultural and innovation programme Horizon hunger by the end of 2020. innovation. 2020 of the European Union (EU). Measures to control virus outbreaks are Innovation is a complex process, The SALSA research project is disrupting global food supply chains. where governments and other key pioneering a novel multi-method Border restrictions and lockdowns are stakeholders play critical roles. At approach to assess the role of small slowing harvests, food loss and waste, FAO, the Research and Extension farms and businesses in achieving destroying livelihoods and hindering Unit of the Office of Innovation sustainable food and nutrition food transport. is leading efforts in agricultural Security in Europe and in selected Simultaneously, according to the research and extension towards African regions. World Bank’s estimates, the pandemic's the strengthening of Agricultural SALSA project results include key economic impact could push about 100 Innovation Systems (AIS). policy recommendations to help million people into extreme poverty. These include all the individuals, small farms add value to their Soaring unemployment rates, income organizations and enterprises produce and to facilitate cooperation losses and rising food costs are that bring new products and as the most enabling and jeopardising food access in developed processes into use to achieve food empowering form of governance. and developing countries alike. Each security, economic development Extension and advisory services percentage point drop in global GDP and sustainable natural resource (EAS) also play a crucial role is expected to result in an additional management. at system level for boosting 700,000 stunted children. For example, through the European smallholders’ innovation. EAS are Smallholder farmers and their families, Union-supported Capacity demonstrating their indispensable food workers in all sectors, and those Development for Agricultural role at the frontline of the COVID-19 living in commodity-and tourism- Innovation Systems (CDAIS) project, response, especially in rural areas. dependent economies are particularly implemented by FAO and Agrinatura vulnerable. from 2015 to 2019, capacity development for agricultural Equally urgent is the compounding innovation was supported in eight threat of the pandemic on existing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin crises - such as conflict, natural America by fostering participatory Innovation is a disasters, climate change, pests and and multi-stakeholder processes plagues - that are already stressing complex process, including small farmers and small food systems and triggering food producers. where key insecurity around the globe. Since 2019 FAO is implementing stakeholders play In 2018, FAO hosted the ‘International a five-year EU-funded project Symposium on Agricultural Innovation critical roles. called “Developing capacities in for Family Farmers: Unlocking the agricultural innovation systems: potential of agricultural innovation to scaling up the Tropical Agriculture achieve the Sustainable Development Platform Framework” focusing Goals (SDGs)’. 50 ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 Chirping crickets to curb malnutrition in children By Murimi Gitari Biodiversity in the ecosystem John Kinyuru is researching and Kinyuru is optimistic that cricket continues to reveal the rearing crickets for consumption. farming has a huge potential for the complex relationship In an interview with Rootooba, market with continued research and between nature, health Kinyuru explained that he started comparisons with the other existing and nutrition as climate change, cricket farming at the institution in technologies. population growth and intensive 2006 by studying the chirping insects “Crickets are an adequate source of farming increases pressure on land. and harvesting them from the wild protein at one’s disposal as you can As pressure mounts, scientists to find out more about their edible get them from the farm and eat, are searching for alternative and properties. containing six percent of proteins, sustainable ways of resolving these “We started this project by harvesting twice that of beef,” he adds. competing forces in the ecosystem a male and a female cricket from the Cricket farming is cost-effective with amid the growing food security and wild and kept them in one place after very little space needed for keeping nutrition problem. which they produced fertile eggs that them. They feed on organic food that One such effort is taking place we incubated and within a week they is basically consumed by humans. at Jomo Kenyatta University of hatched.” Kitchen waste is the most ideal food Agriculture and Technology where After analyzing nutrition and for them or greens like kale, cabbage lecturer and director of research Dr food products value of the insects, and fruit peels, and they require only JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 51 ROOTOOBA Innovation a small amount of water. One cricket crickets with water. The cotton wool adds that crickets are rich in omega 3, 6 consumes only 0.05 grams of food in a is dipped into water and placed on and 9 that boosts immunity, growth and day. top of the egg crates for the crickets to the mental health of children. They do not necessarily need a suck. The cotton wool balls also act as a Regardless of their irritating chirping big infrastructure to rear. Kinyuru place where the females lay their eggs sound from the male crickets for Kinyuru, recommends starting with a through the ovipositor. They require a this is a sound for business and food standardized box or egg crates for wet or moisturized area to lay the eggs. venture. shelter modified to mimic their natural The laid eggs are collected and He says that a kilo of pure cricket flour habitat. incubated for 7 to 12 days under room goes for Sh2,000, while a kilo of porridge Cages are used as shelter for ideal temperature. After hatching, the young flour is Sh300. For farmers who want to conditions to ensure they multiply crickets require heat that is necessary start rearing crickets, the institution also rapidly as required. for their growth at a temperature sells them at a cost of Sh1500 per kilo, ranging from 20-300 C . Egg trays when arranged and put with the eggs sold at Sh500 per plate together provide a dark environment When the young crickets mature, they which contains about 3,000 eggs. for the insects to hide. are harvested while alive and placed in “We cannot meet the demand from agro- a drier to clear the gut. They are then “To start cricket farming a farmer processing industries and the millers who dipped into hot water to clean the needs a specialized box or tray and a want these crickets that they mix with bodies and returned to the drier again capital of only Sh3,000, but the most the products they make,” he notes. to ensure they are completely dried. important thing is to get trained The life span of a cricket is three months before venturing into this business,” The dried crickets are then grounded after which they die a natural death. he explains. or crushed to make cricket powder. The dead crickets are mixed with animal JKUAT offers training at a cost of The powder is used in many ways feed and processed to boost growth and Sh5000 per farmer and they have such as mixing with porridge or ugali production of chicken, pigs and cows. managed to train over 2,000 farmers flour and other meals to enrich them Dead crickets are not fit for human across the country, out of which less with the proteins they lack. Crickets consumption as they are scientifically than 200 have ventured into cricket are also used in making biscuits, flour, proven to contain micro-organisms that farming. cookies and energy bars. are dangerous to humans. Stella Maina, the technical assistant at Dr Caroline Kipkoech, a post-doctoral When asked if cricket farming will the farm who helps in training farmers researcher and an entomologist at become like quail farming that became a and rearing the crickets, ensures that JKUAT, says many children suffer stuck ship, Kinyuru articulates that they hygiene is highly observed where they from malnutrition due to lack of a are not supporting cricket farming as a are kept. balanced diet, as they feed mostly on super food as was the case of quails. Their carbohydrates. “The crickets are fed from day one of effort rather is as a good food highly rich hatching and to boost their growth, Proteins lack in their diet, a key in proteins for both human and animal we use broiler starter that is used in factor in boosting their growth and consumption. chicken feeding. After three weeks, we appetite, but with the introduction of Cricket farming has some pitfalls just feed them with greens that are highly cricket consumption, the malnutrition like any other farming, with the main rich in proteins.” problem in children is getting solved. challenge being predators like rodents. Cricket porridge makes a big difference After one to one-and-a-half months, Viral and bacterial diseases are part of the within one month after the children they become adults ready to start challenges but are easily manageable. are fed on it. producing eggs and at this stage they “We are encouraging farmers to practice are fed with more greens. “The more Kipkoech has been exploring the this kind of farming in large scale as they feed on greens, the more they effects of cricket products on the animal feed processors need tonnes of more eggs they produce. A single nutritional status, cognitive function crickets on a daily basis,” Kinyuru says. cricket can produce between 250 to 500 and gut health in children in her The farm has managed to keep over a eggs at a go,” says Stella. research. million crickets after having started with “The first two crickets we harvested “Children suffer from hidden hunger only two crickets. from the wild produced about 500 that is caused by lack of minerals and eggs, and after hatching, this is where irons in the body as well as the lack of the colony started,” Kinyuru recalls. fat, especially omega fat containing essential fatty acids,” she explains. She Cotton wool is used to provide the 52 ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 For the poorest of the poor, livestock can, in some situations, be the first step along the pathway out of poverty. - ILRI JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 53 ROOTOOBA Industrial Sugarcane farmers harvest the crop in a plantation. Farmers are awaiting the commencement of the leasing of government-owned mills. Kenya sugar reforms bitter pill to swallow By Alberto Leny The revival of Kenya’s delivered a report with far-reaching related to production, privatisation ailing sugar industry is recommendations in February 2020. and zoning of sugarcane supply.entangled in an intricate However nearly one year down the While the farmers have welcomed web of economic, political line, the envisaged reforms which some of the recommendations and social intrigues that have found have since been adopted by the such as the return of the sugar their way to the corridors of justice. Ministry of Agriculture, have run into development levy, prompt payment So deeply rooted is the bitter taste headwinds and are yet to achieve the of farmers and reduction of taxation of sugar in the mouths of farmers, desired outcomes. and imports, they are divided on the that President Uhuru Kenyatta Among the thorny issues that zoning of cane producing regions. formed a task force to help revive continue to haunt the sector and They claimed the task force did not the sub-sector. The task force hamper revival efforts are those consider their input and called for 54 ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 Sugarcane is a major industrial crop grown mostly in western Kenya, but the sector continues to suffer from low production and mismanagement. the revival of the Kenya Sugar Board from various associations across the from countries where the sugar industry that used to fund cane development. country signed a petition supporting the is successful, citing Brazil as an example Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Agriculture CS for gazetting the regulations, where the authorities play a minimum Peter Munya has already terming them a huge contribution to role in the sugar sub-sector. implemented most of the task reforms in the sugar sector. Earlier another group of farmers had force’s recommendations and KNASFO Chairman Saulo Busolo, in a hard- objected to the recommendations of the tabled the sugar regulation policy in hitting statement, termed the senators task force. Led by a former Kenya Sugar Parliament, a move that has raised a and the CoG leaders mainly from western Board director Samwel Bonyo, they said political storm, following opposition Kenya calling for the annulment of the they welcomed the re-introduction of the from some members of the Senate. sugar regulation policy as “a threat to the sugar development levy, but are opposed The Crops (Sugar) (General) reforms in the sugar sector.” to the zoning of cane producing regions. Regulations, 2020 regulates the “Farmers are angry at the politicians for He said the government should revive formation of the sugarcane farmers’ failing to champion their interests at a time the board that used to fund cane apex body, sugarcane pricing when Mr Munya has moved determinedly development and factory maintenance committee, payment formula and to gazette sugar regulations and the lease for the millers. contractual farming. of government-owned sugar factories for The board was disbanded in 2013 and The Kenya National Alliance of the betterment of the sector,” says Busolo. the sugar sub-sector placed under the Sugarcane Farmers Organisation He commends the CS’s reform agenda, Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), (KNASFO), most of whose members wondering why the political leaders are together with the Coffee Board of come from the western Kenya rejecting the gazettement of the sugar and Kenya, Tea Board of Kenya, Coconut sugarcane-growing zone, says the tea regulations, alleging lack of compliance Development Authority, Cotton Senate and the Council of Governors with the Constitution. “This is the political Development Authority, Sisal Board (CoG) are plotting the annulment of climate that dampens investment in the of Kenya, Pyrethrum Board of Kenya the new policy. sugar sub-sector,” he added. and Horticultural Crops Development Last October, over 6,000 farmers Busolo urged the government to learn Authority. JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 55 ROOTOOBA Industrial Bonyo said lumping the sugar sector government leases out the debt-free sugar the sugar industry covering registration with other crop agencies was suicidal, millers to private investors to turn them of growers, outgrowers’ institutions, as the government had stopped around. millers and their umbrella bodies. funding factory maintenance and cane However, the senators complained that the Munya said the ministry has drafted development. planned leasing was pushed without proper and published two sets of regulations Industry insiders maintain that the engagement of farmers, local communities The Crops (Sugar) (General) Regulations, sugar sector would remain in trouble and county assemblies from the sugar belt 2020 and The Crops (Sugar) (Imports, unless State-owned millers are given region as well as in Parliament. Exports and By-products) Regulations, enough money to improve their cane CS Munya says leasing the ailing sugar 2020 which came into force on 27 May crushing efficiency to avoid huge factories would be good for the industry that 2020 and 10 July 2020 respectively. production losses. over 10 million people depend on. The regulations cover agreements on They oppose the decision to zone cane He said the government has waived Sh11 sugar and sugar cane products and growing regions, saying it would hurt billion debts Nzoia owed the State in address sugarcane development plans, farmers who wish to sell their cane to readiness for leasing since no investor was the milling capacity of millers, the the highest bidders. willing to invest in a company that has debts. establishment and functions of the Of the three, only Muhoroni, which "The government waived Sh11 billion to allow sugarcane-pricing committees and the has been in receivership since 2000, is the private investors to come and lease the implementation of sugarcane testing crushing sugar at far below capacity. company and revamp it," he said. services and standards. Miwani collapsed over 20 years ago and Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya says “I don’t expect the process we have only exists in name, while Chemelil the government's efforts to resolve the issue embarked on to be all smooth-sailing. It stopped milling cane over one year ago. of stalled projects in western Kenya should is never easy or painless to revive a sub- The State-owned millers are deeply not be politicised. sector such as this, which has suffered a myriad of governance, financial and indebted and struggling with low "The waiver of the Nzoia debt and Mumias’ regulatory failures and setbacks,” the efficiency levels and lack of maintenance Sh20 billion is to help the factories have CS said. and money to pay workers and farmers. a face that can attract investors who can Meanwhile, the High Court has streamline the industry," he said. Oparanya, He explained that there were vested the CoG chair, said the privatisation process interests; those who benefit from a temporarily stopped the government’s plan to lease out the cash-strapped has stalled because of legal hurdles. chronically weak sugar sub-sector and who won’t be happy with the state-owned sugar Chemelil, Muhoroni “We are committed to a transparent, honest, reforms now underway but noted and Miwani companies. credible and accountable process,” the CS that a prosperous sugar sector could The three are among the five financially said, adding that the government wants withstand any short run pain that some stressed companies the government to attract and finally secure only serious stakeholders may experience. has earmarked for leasing to turn them investors worth partnering with in the around alongside Nzoia and Sony Sugar revival of the sugar industry in Kenya. companies. He urged the Sugarcane Growers and Millers The petition came after the objecting Association to register with AFA to gain senators called for the process to formality and visibility. Total cane be halted until thorough public The registration, he added, would also make participation is undertaken to iron out it easier for farmers to advocate and lobby harvested in fears surrounding the move. for their interests including membership southern Africa The lawmakers claimed the in the Sugarcane Pricing Committee privatisation was driven by a clique of and make it easier to deliver services to has grown 80% ‘tenderpreneurs’ only interested in the farmers supported by national and county over the past 20 multi-million assets owned by the firms governments. and not in reviving them to benefit “The registration will also see them pursue years. farmers. their interests and have an organized In July, CS Munya announced a waiver platform to engage other value chain players of Sh62.5 billion ($625 million) debts as well as regulators,” he said. owed by the five sugar millers to set The registration is among the task force the stage for their revival before the recommendations for regulations to stabilize 56 ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 Compelling cane lessons from the south of Africa By Alberto Leny As Kenya struggles to Although the area under sugarcane journal/as ISSN Online: 2156-8561 ISSN reform its troubled sugar has expanded over the years to cover Print: 2156-8553.sub-sector, it would be 220,000 hectares, productivity is low, The authors trace the main issues prudent to reflect on the achieving only 55 tonnes per hectare. affecting the sugar industry in Kenya history and growth of the sub-sector Meanwhile, production costs have and find a sector in turmoil that requires in the country and learn from the been increasing, averaging US $1007/ significant reforms. Their paper explores experiences of the success stories in tonnes in 2018. Over 80% percent prospects of the next sugar revolution other parts of Africa. of the sugar is grown rainfed by emerging from the coast. Industrial sugar was introduced in smallholder farmers mostly in The coastal region has land available for Kenya in 1902 and the first processing western Kenya using low inputs, with rainfed and irrigated sugarcane, a warmer factory opened in 1922. In the 1960s, consequent poor productivity. climate and possibilities to grow short- new government policy encouraged The sugar sector has numerous maturing cane varieties of higher sucrose expansion of commercial sugar challenges including agronomic, concentrations. production with new factories technological, economic, However, other constraints are also opening in western Kenya. management and policy limitations, inherent at the coast. These must be By the mid-1970s, Kenya was a sugar writes Bancy Mati and Michael overcome for sugar to become a major exporter. But from the 1980s, the Thomas of Jomo Kenyatta University cash crop in the region. sugar sub-sector started to decline of Agriculture and Technology Here are the sweet stories of success from in both production and profitability, (JKUAT) in a paper delivered in the other African countries: with the country becoming a journal Agricultural Sciences, in net sugar importer by the 1980s. October 2019, https://www.scirp.org/ A report in The EastAfrican newspaper JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 57 ROOTOOBA Industrial describes the sugar industry in Sugarcane will be grown on more than context-specific political-economic Southern Africa as a success story 27,000 hectares, with an anticipated relationships between corporate expanding against all odds, owing yield of more than 3.2 million metric capital, national governments and a to favourable fluctuations in the tonnes to feed the Nakambala refinery variety of local holders of capital, land market. in Mazabuka, southern province. and labour. Mozambique, South Africa, Nakambala mill will be the second largest The Tongaat-Hulett group has service Swaziland and Zambia a decade ago in Africa, with refined sugar production locations in Eswatini, Mozambique and embarked on ambitious projects to of 440,000 tonnes annually. Zimbabwe. increase sugar production for both Expansion is to be achieved through own Eswatini is another test case for domestic and external markets. efforts and those of affiliated outgrower massive sugar production in the sub- However, Mauritius has from 1997 and small-scale grower schemes. region. Sugar growing is the country’s reduced its sugar factories from 17 In a paper published online, Alex Dubb, mainstay, accounting for more than to eight, downsizing the labour force Ian Scoones and Philip Woodhouse 53% of the total agricultural output. hoping to surmount internal and review historic and contemporary More than 16,000 people are employed external market forces. development of sugar cane production directly by the industry. The reduction of sugar mills in across southern Africa. With an annual refined sugar Mauritius is aimed at improving They argue that the region’s sugar production of about 300,000 tonnes a the throughput of the existing industry provides a useful lens through year, Eswatini continues to be one of companies following the laying off of which to understand current dynamics the lowest cost producing countries in many workers. of corporate capital and agricultural the world. The Action Plan for 2005-2015 hoped production in Africa. This predisposes it to investment to address some of the problems They identify three distinct elements of that in turn facilitates its expansion plaguing the sugar industry. political-economic analysis: programme. High production in the For a while now, this Indian Ocean First, the operation of logics of capital mountainous country allows it to sell island has been recording losses in investment in different settings. Second, both on the prescribed and the open both production and income despite the nature of state policies and politics markets. a 17% dependence on external in different national contexts. And Half of its production is sold in local revenue from sugar exports. third, local processes of production, and regional markets. Overall, the A number of major sugar growers in accumulation and livelihoods, sugar industry in southern Africa has the country have now abandoned including effects on labour and social grown steadily since 2004 because of the crop altogether, sold their differentiation. high demand and handsome returns farms or stopped investing in sugar The paper draws on the empirical cases from exports. production. from seven southern African countries. Other major producers of sugar are This has badly hit the sugar industry, It highlights the rapid concentration of Malawi, Namibia and Angola. a pillar of the country’s economy. corporate control by three South African The after-effects of COVID-19, the companies over the past decade, but also In Mozambique, the South African- global recession and falling demand a diverse set of outcomes contingent on based Tongaat-Hulett has invested for sugar because of stockpiling on local context. more than $47 million in expansion the world market is likely to affect of the sugar industry. This is particularly evident in the nature production. of ‘outgrower’ sugar cane production According to the agricultural Countries in the sub-region are trying found in all cases but constituted in processing and land management to intensify the local markets. Sugar different places by quite different group, more than 800,000 hectares exporters are being supported to shift social categories of wealth and scale of of land for sugarcane planting will their attention from overseas markets production. be developed in the next few years as in Europe and America to regional part of the investment. They argue that common stereotypes of markets. corporate investment as either ‘win–win’ In Zambia, the Associated British Zambia is already exporting to Burundi, or as a ‘land grab’ rarely apply. Foods group, the major stakeholder Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the Zambia Sugar Company, is also Rather, the nature and outcomes and Rwanda. The trend where crucial expanding. of ‘outgrower’ systems needs to be food items like sugar are exported understood as a manifestation of wholly to overseas markets are harmful 58 ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 Tongaat Hulett Sugar's Xinavane Sugar Mill, situated on the banks of the Incomati River, 136 km north west of Maputo in Mozambique during expansion to food security and undermines the 20 years, with significant implications southern regions. North African spirit of intra-trade. for land and water use in the region. region is the oldest one in the sugar Trade in sugar is distorted by Unlike other recent corporate-led industry. restrictive barriers, hence southern agricultural investments, sugar cane African sugar producing countries Africa producers face a number of has a long history in the region, linked need to increase the share of the challenges before the sugar markets to long-term state support involving contribution to the GDP. Sugar stabilise. And even then, they may financing, infrastructure development industry in Africa is one of the not have the muscle to compete with and political backing. key industries which contributes countries like Brazil and Australia, Since its origins in Natal, outgrowers in providing jobs for the growing which are slowly dominating the linked to core estates and mills have unemployment as well as world market. been central to the production system. instrumental in rural development. So why is sugar in southern Africa A close examination of such This will reduce the high rates of a good lens on these themes? arrangements that have now expanded migration from rural to urban areas Dubb, Scoones and Woodhouse across the region allows for a critical and many associated problems. cite a multiplicity of examples of interrogation of the ‘win–win’ narrative Structural transformation. The large-scale commercial agricultural often promoted around this business Mauritian economy, which was investments assessment within a model. initially centered on agriculture and wider political economy, linked to a South Africa sugar production in in particular sugar cane farming, particular and important commodity. million metric tons diversified significantly. “This complements other more 2014-2015 2.19 After the country first embarked general work on ‘land deals’, which on industrialization, a competitive emphasises the diverse processes 2015-2016 1.68 service sector emerged with, in of land acquisition, financing and 2016-2017 1,61 particular, the introduction of the investment involved,” they explain. 2017-2018 2.06 free trade zone (“Export Processing Sugar cane production covers more 2018-2019 2.26 Zone,” FTZ) in 1980, inspired by the than half a million hectares spread 2019-2020 2.3 Taiwanese model, and tourism. across seven countries in southern The most important sugar producing In 2009, sugar represented less than Africa, and total cane harvested in the regions in Africa are north and 3% of GDP, while textiles exceeded region has grown 80% over the past 5% and tourism 10%. JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 59 ROOTOOBA Industrial Kenana: Sudan tastes sweet story of success By Rootooba Reporter When the African production and meat production to entrepreneur Roland Rowland in 1975 Development Bank extract energy out of the company’s and has expanded over the years to (AfDB) President byproducts, including molasses. Adesina produce other food products, animal Dr Akinwumi described the massive, locally managed feed, machinery and biofuels. Adesina visited the Kenana Sugar agro-industrial setup as a model As the country looked to diversify Company in Sudan three years ago, exemplifying part of the High 5s: Feed following the loss of the majority of he was impressed by one of the bank’s Africa, Industrialize Africa and Light Up its oil resources when South Sudan premium investment partners on the and Power Africa. seceded in 2011, agricultural products continent. He commended both the size and the such as sugar and biofuels remain He said the Kenana company provides efficiency of the operation, emphasizing crucial to the country’s economy. an excellent example for the bank’s the company’s resilience to have “Kenana produces renewable sources of policies of securing added value continued operations during the many food and energy. Energy is coming from through agro-aligned processing of years of US economic sanctions on agriculture now. We are the biggest crops within Africa, and accelerating Sudan. sugar producer in Sudan and one of the its High 5s vision for the continent’s AfDB financed Kenana’s expansion biggest in the world. By unlocking cane transformation. phase in 1990 with a $42 million Bank energy potentials, we are also going to Kenana is by far Africa’s largest sugar- investment that helped the company compensate for the losses in revenue producing agro-industrial complex to significantlyscale up its capacity to from oil in a big way. We are producing and the world’s largest producer of become the world’s largest producer of green fuel, which is even better than white sugar. The company operates white sugar and Africa’s biggest sugar oil. Agriculture now is a very important a cane farm of 105,000 acres of land factory, valued at over US $3.5 billion sector for both food and energy,” says and produces 400,000 metric tons today. Managing Director Mohamed El Mardi of raw sugar annually, for domestic With plans to double output of sugar and El Tegani. consumption and export. triple biofuel production, Sudan’s largest “Kenana is a living example of how The company employs 16,000 people, sugar producer is integral to efforts to important agriculture is, as well as 4,000 seasonal workers, and generates diversify from oil. the role it can play in modernising the an annual revenue of $400 million. The third largest producer of sugar in Sudanese economy and at the same The AfDB president visited Africa after Egypt and South Africa, time achieving all the objectives that the company’s Research and Sudan’s yearly sugar output is currently Sudan is striving to achieve.” Development Centre, and the sugar around 850,000 tonnes. With major capital injection cane fields where he watched an It is a country known for its incredibly from its main shareholders (the automated combined harvesting sweet tooth (putting three spoonfuls of Sudanese, Kuwaiti and Saudi Arabian operation. He also visited two pump sugar in tea or orange juice is common governments), Kenana doubled its stations, one financed by the bank. costum), hence its consumption annual sugar production to one million He also visited the sugar factory, of around 1.2 million tonnes of the tonnes and more than tripled its where he witnessed the automated sweetener a year. ethanol output to 200 million litres, 50% offloading of tons of raw cane of which would be exported, turning Sudan had plans to become self- from large truck containers in a the company into a major exporter of sufficient by 2014 aiming to boost simultaneous operation that delivers biofuels. production to two million tonnes and newly harvested cane onto a conveyor this year hopes to become a major global As part of its ‘green diversification’ belt running into the factory at the player competing with the likes of Brazil efforts, Kenana plans to produce transport tower. by producing 10 million tonnes. 200,000 tonnes of biofertiliser within Kenana has diversified into ethanol two years. Kenana was established by British 60 ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 Jimmy Smith: A scientist for nature and humanity In this edition of Rootooba, we profile Dr Jimmy Smith, the Director General of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). Born in Guyana, where he was raised in a small mixed crop- and-livestock farm, Smith holds dual nationalities with Canada. A CGIAR scientist, he previously worked at ILRI between 1991 and 2001 as the institute’s representative in West Africa, where he led the development of integrated research promoting smallholder livelihoods in animal agriculture. Between 2001 and 2006, he worked at the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and later at the World Bank, where he led the Global Livestock Portfolio. At ILRI, Smith currently leads an institute of 650 staff made up of 40 nationalities. In this interview, he reflects on his career, how he came to focus on agriculture, the success he has had building organizations and livestock portfolios—and the one thing he most regrets. He notes that the COVID-19 pandemic’s impacts on human health and the global economy have shown that inequalities of various kinds—social, racial and economic, among others—remain powerful forces that need to be addressed. JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 61 ROOTOOBA Profile ILRI director general Jimmy Smith (left) confers with Kanayo Nwanze, president of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) at the 6th Africa Agriculture Science Week (AASW6), in Accra, Ghana, 15–20 Jul 2013, organized by the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) (photo credit: ILRI/Paul Karaimu). Born in Guyana to mixed race the predecessor of the International and accepted the job. parents, who did agriculture for Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), ILRI, which is co-hosted by Kenya and a living, including cattle, citrus the International Livestock Centre for Ethiopia, has 14 offices across Asia and farming, Jimmy Smith graduated Africa (ILCA), based in West Africa. Africa, and works for better lives through with a bachelor's degree at the “A friend of mine was the deputy livestock in developing countries. It historically black college then director of ILCA, and he invited me employs some 700 staff and has an called Tuskegee Institute, now to interview for a position that he annual operating budget of about $90 Tuskegee University, in Alabama, thought I was well suited for. So I came, million. It is one of 15 CGIAR research USA. at a time not with much interest in the centres worldwide, a global research This was one of the foremost job, because I liked my current job very partnership for a food-secure future. institutes in animal agriculture much,” he explains his first encounter One of the things that Jimmy cares very and veterinary sciences that with Africa. much about in ILRI is that of women and attracted students from the In the end, he decided to take the development, including their inclusivity developing world. Jimmy then ILCA job because it was challenging. at the research and managerial level of did his master's and PhD at the “Having come to Africa for the first ILRI. University of Illinois, graduating time, it became apparent to me that “On my first trip to Africa, on a really in 1986, in animal science. what we were doing in the Caribbean rural road in Nigeria, I saw a woman After graduating, he was was child’s play, in relation to what carrying a huge basket on her head, headhunted for a job in the needed to be done here. with either peppers or tomatoes. A baby Caribbean economic community’s Struck by the poverty levels in Africa, was strapped on her back, and in one research arm called the compared to what he had experienced hand was a hoe or some agricultural Caribbean Agriculture Research working in the English-speaking implement, and under her other arm was and Development Institute, Caribbean countries, more of quality a bundle of firewood. CARDI. Jimmy worked there, of life issues, Jimmy felt working on “Having taken off from the field where for several years, before joining the continent was more meaningful she was, there was no way she could put 62 ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 down any of those things until she world. He helped build a strong portfolio to try to raise the portfolio. The got to the house. And since there with a spending envelope of about half World Bank was not unique at that were no houses close by, she had a billion a year. “Moving it from $60 time in having financial resources to have been walking a long way. to $500 million was a big jump, and it available for developing countries. I had never seen women do that gave me a bird's eye view of the global “What was unique about the World kind of a thing, so that was my institutions looking after agriculture, Bank is the expertise and knowledge first exposure to rural Africa. The which included the Food and Agriculture it brings to their investments. So realization that as soon as you get Organization (FAO) and the World Food that comparative advantage is what a bit outside the city, there is so Programme (WFP), Jimmy recalls. we also offer here at ILRI—what much poverty and hardship - That He became fairly well known among distinguishes us from national certainly motivated me to come,” international development people, as programs, for example, is that ILRI Jimmy recalls. well as with the CGIAR. brings global experience to national He then worked for a time for A change of government in Canada situations. the Canadian International encouraged him to look elsewhere The World Bank encouraged him Development Agency (CIDA). “By for a position—even though he was a to apply for the director general this time my children were grown nonpartisan bureaucrat rather than a position at ILRI. The bank was and I had the intention to work in political figure—and ended up at the putting $50 million a year in the academia, somewhere in Canada. World Bank. CGIAR, but I think there was only As it happened, I was offered the Smith went to the World Bank in 2005 one case where somebody from job of directing the agriculture and was essentially tasked with doing the bank went to lead a CGIAR portfolio at CIDA. for livestock at the World Bank what institution. He applied for the CIDA had a very small agricultural he did for agriculture at CIDA. At the position and arrived at ILRI in portfolio at the time, just about time he joined the bank, the livestock October 2011. $60 million Canadian for the whole portfolio was very small. His remit was With the team, one of Smith’s JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 63 ROOTOOBA Profile accomplishments at ILRI has been the sake of doing good science but for negative impacts. raising the profile of livestock and being impactful. Starting with the end ILRI is trying to nuance the debate. increasing the institute’s funding. How in mind and delivering from there. In many parts of the world, people did he accomplish that? According “For example, it does not do any good eat too much meat and animal to Jimmy, ILRI’s growth is largely a if we simply go to a farm and give the products. Some journalists and function of success in convincing farmer a better cow to milk, if the farmer activists in the rich world are now people of the importance of livestock. can’t sell that milk. There has to be a saying, “We should stop eating “Globally, livestock represent 40% of market pull. If we are going to have an livestock products, because it's the total value of agriculture, and in impact, we need to help connect people destroying the environment.” some countries, it can be as much as to markets. Once the farmer is connected However, Jimmy explains that in 80%, depending on the ecology. But to market, then he or she wants a higher most parts of the developing world, it is a sector that has been largely producing cow. In livestock, there is they eat too little meat. In Europe, neglected. I was well aware that there the need for technology pull, not a the average meat consumption is was this sort of policy bias against technology push. Connect people to about 75kg per year, while in North livestock: Agriculture to most people markets, and then they will want a America it is over 100kg. That is means crops, not animals. better animal to produce more milk, and a lot of meat. However, in many “So as a management team, we then they will buy more inputs. countries in Africa, the average is decided to raise the profile of livestock Another focus for ILRI is on building more like 10kg a year. by providing the evidence that it is of strong partnerships with various Nutritionists tell us that in the crucial importance to employment, businesses, NGOs, donors and national first 1000 days, especially, one must gender, food and nutrition. institutions. ILRI has a budget now absolutely be nutritionally well Fortunately, we have been able to nearing $100 million a year, which he fed, or you get irreversible stunting generate interest among donors, to notes is very small in relation to the physically and mentally. One simply the point where we’ve been able to total demands out there. cannot meet those needs without more than double the budget in the “If we want to have a meaningful nutrient-dense, animal-source last nine years.” impact, we have to work in partnerships. foods. “That said, livestock remains Our core business is research for What is Smith’s view of the risk of underfunded. It still does not get development, but to move beyond the emerging zoonotic diseases and the anything close to 40% of the total laboratory we work mostly as a catalyst, One Health approach? donor investments in agriculture; in facilitating and building partnerships.” “One Health is an area that I've fact, it may get perhaps a tenth of ILRI builds these partnerships by been engaged in for a long time. that. So there is still work to do. But we creating a bigger awareness of the It refers to an approach to global have done considerable work to raise livestock sector, by trying to grow the health that is based on the premise the profile of livestock, and raise the livestock ‘pie’ bigger, even if its share of that animal and human health profile of ILRI as an institution, and to the pie stays the same. and the ecosystems they share are drive home the claim that livestock is “A bigger pie means we get more. We inextricably linked and must be critical to development.” are also addressing the problems that addressed together. A lot remains to be done to continue livestock may cause, and trying to figure “I first started paying serious to convince policymakers to help the out how to ameliorate the negatives. attention to it during my work at sector contribute more and make For example, livestock is known to have the World Bank, because it was the case that the sector is important. a significant environmental footprint, during that period that the world To do that, needs solid analysis and through the enteric methane gas experienced an outbreak of avian good data, explains the ILRI director- produced by cattle, sheep and goats. influenza among humans. Then general. That means being prepared How can we develop the livestock sector, shortly after came the so-called to make the case with financiers in while ameliorating the negative impacts swine flu. I wrote extensively before government and other institutions to of livestock?” I left the Bank on this issue in a attract investments. That is why ILRI created the Mazingira two-volume series called People, “We have to focus on research which (environment in Kiswahili) Centre, Pathogen and our Planet. can be transformative to the people which has done some important “Those experiences left a deep we're trying to serve, not just for work on the environmental impact of impression on Jimmy, and led him— academics. We must do our research livestock in Africa trying to develop, and other scientists—to say that it with the end in mind, not simply for with partners, approaches to curb these wouldn’t be a question of if we’d ever 64 ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 Dr Smith’s courtesy visit to Machakos Governor’s office – Dr Alfred Mutua. have a serious zoonotic pandemic, but a potentially serious problem out that there are so many problems to when. Now here we are in the middle there, and got a respectful hearing address, that the money tends to go to of one – the COVID-19 pandemic. but in retrospect, not nearly enough the most immediate challenges, and Zoonotic diseases are those that jump attention. Now that it has finally once they pass, we forget about it. from animals to humans, often from happened Jimmy feels very upset Finally, what does he plan to do when wildlife into livestock and then into because they said all these things he leaves ILRI? “The truth is that I humans. Jimmy and his professional and he has the documents, his own haven't thought about it yet. I usually colleagues have been advocating publications that he worked on with am loyal to the job I have. But there for many years now that to detect many others to show for it. are lots of things I like to do. I have or prevent a serious, potentially We said, “Look, avian influenza is just travelled around the world and there catastrophic pandemic, we need to a small warning. We were lucky with are many spots I would like to go back take a One Health approach, to work avian influenza, because while it was to. at the interface of animal, human and highly pathogenic it was not very “While I worked with the Canadian environmental health. easy to transmit. We were lucky it government, I became enamored with “We have inaugurated the One did not kill many people. We did a lot the beauty of Canada, and there are Health Centre here at ILRI, which the of modelling and writing about the many places there that I have on my government of Germany is generously disease. We mobilized governments list to go to and spend time in. I will try supporting. But now that we're in the and warned that the next disease to stay active, perhaps in academia, at middle of the pandemic, and people could be more transmissible with a university in Canada. My daughter understand how important this is, similar pathogenicity. lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, then I hope we'll get more investments “We demonstrated that global and that’s a beautiful place.” in this One Health area, not just for economies could contract from 1% For now, Jimmy Smith is staying ILRI, but this whole approach.” to 3%, depending on the severity. focused on the One Health approach Smith and the scientists have been We worked hard to convince and how best ILRI can best serve saying for 10 or 15 years that there is governments to invest in One Health. the livestock and agriculture sector, But the truth about development is nature and humanity. JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 65 A fruit vendor in Nairobi Kenya. Food safety is a shared responsibility between food business operators, consumers and the government. Aiming to flatten the curve on major foodborne illness By Steven Jaffee and Delia Grace Food safety has never safety, involving a combination and child mortality. featured prominently of post-outbreak firefighting and Yet, recent epidemiological research on Africa’s development fragmented regulatory and ad hoc from the World Health Organization agenda. When it is an issue, interventions, will do little to check shows the costs of neglecting typically the focus has been on high- the threats posed by unsafe food in foodborne diseases in developing value food items produced for export, many African countries. countries. Worldwide, the global while food safety in domestic markets The good news is that many of these health burden of foodborne diseases has been largely neglected, both problems can be controlled and is on par with the big three. The by governments and development their costs reduced. A combination young, old, malnourished and poor partners. This must change. of incremental and systematic are disproportionately impacted and Recent research has shown that the measures, well within the capacity children under five years of age are health and economic consequences of most governments, can flatten the especially vulnerable. of foodborne diseases in Africa curve of foodborne illness. Globally, Africa south of the Sahara are significant and growing, as Until recently, research on foodborne and emerging Asia have the highest urbanization and income growth diseases was mostly limited to high- incidence of and death rates from prompt dietary changes that income countries. Research and foodborne diseases. Yet while the increasingly expose consumers to public health interventions in poorer incidence rates of the two regions are food safety hazards. countries largely focused on the so- comparable, Africa’s estimated death The coming decade is critical. A called big three—tuberculosis, HIV/ rate is nearly four times higher. ‘business as usual’ approach to food AIDS and malaria—and on maternal The reasons for that difference 66 ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 are not fully understood, but the and a lengthening of food supply in Africa, where smallholder farmers, prevalence of endemic ailments chains. Yet much of this perishable micro- and small enterprises and and poor diagnostic and treatment food continues to be handled and informal food channels predominate, options probably account for much distributed through informal surveillance and inspection of it. channels, creating potentially mechanisms can be weak and court Drawing on data from the World multiple points for food hazards to procedures challenging and slow. It Health Organization and other recent develop. introduces an antagonistic and often sources, we estimate that Africa In these transitioning food systems, unproductive relationship between experiences around 135 million cases the official regulatory apparatus is government and the private sector as of foodborne diseases and 180,000 often overwhelmed by the breadth regulator versus regulated. foodborne disease-related deaths and depth of emerging challenges. A better approach is to think of food per year. Microbial pathogens— Until very recently, domestic food safety as a shared responsibility especially Salmonella spp., toxigenic safety programs in Africa have been between food business operators, Escherichia coli, norovirus and few and poorly funded. By contrast, consumers and the government. Campylobacter spp.—account for literally hundreds of projects In this model, governments set about 80% of Africa’s foodborne supported by trade partners or forth a vision, convene stakeholders disease burden. development agencies have sought to and offer a diverse set of policy The economic consequences of address international trade-related instruments to involve, incentivize foodborne diseases in Africa are food safety problems. and leverage the actions of key value correspondingly severe. A recent These have been beneficial and chain actors. World Bank study estimated the have helped to push Africa’s trade in Instead of being the ‘official food productivity losses alone attributed safety-sensitive foods such as fish, control’ authority, governments to unsafe food within Africa at $20 fresh fruit and vegetables from $3.8 should act as facilitators encouraging billion in 2016 and the cost of treating billion in 2001 to $16.1 billion in 2017. investments and behaviour change. these illnesses at an additional $3.5 But overall, the available evidence Experimentation and flexibility will billion. suggests that the trade-related be critical. These costs are heaviest in larger, costs associated with unsafe food in There are no quick fixes to Africa’s middle-income countries such as African countries are small compared food safety challenges. They require South Africa, Nigeria and Egypt, to the domestic public health costs a comprehensive approach that yet are also significant elsewhere. and productivity losses. focuses on improving food safety Overall, the relative economic burden In fact, we estimate the ratio between awareness, practices and governance. of foodborne diseases is higher for domestic and trade-related costs is Foundational investments will be African countries than for developing likely to be on the order of 40 to 1, needed in people, infrastructure and countries elsewhere. suggesting that the predominant institutions. Addressing these issues Both the health and economic attention of policymakers on the will require sustained attention from consequences of foodborne diseases trade impacts of food safety has been technical agencies and government in Africa are likely to grow as the deeply misguided. ministries as well as donors. continent develops. In low-income African countries must implement It will require broader interventions countries, food is typically produced better domestic food safety policies to improve access to quality public close to the point of consumption and and support them with needed health services, clean water and undergoes limited transformation. investment. But this, in itself, will not sanitation and improved agricultural Starchy staples such as cassava, be enough to give them the upper productivity. maize and rice predominate. hand against foodborne diseases. It will require, in short, a Traditional processing techniques What they need is nothing less than commitment commensurate to the dominate and are often fairly a food safety paradigm shift. scale of the problem. It is also likely, effective at reducing risk. As they The traditional regulatory model, as in other parts of the world, that develop and urbanize, countries imported from high-income improvements will ultimately be experience rapid shifts in diet and countries, centres on enforcement driven by better-aware consumers towards more intensified agriculture. through regular inspection of food demanding food safety and eliciting Such transitions typically lead to facilities and product testing, with responses from public sector and increased consumption of fresh set legal and financial penalties. food suppliers. Recognizing that is a produce and animal-sourced foods This model is ill-suited to food systems good place to start. JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 67 68 ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ROOTOOBA News issue 001 14 Farmforce Case Studies: Subati Herbs Kenya Digital input traceability enables herb exporter to rapidly resolve customer concerns, ensuring food safety integrity and confidence Exporting high-quality has limitations as production scales Subati, they do standard testing to check herbs across Europe, Subati and companies need to precisely for any chemical reside. If an issue is operates from an expansive track and trace inputs applied when detected, Subati has only four hours to greenhouse complex in customers request or have concerns. respond, explaining why the MRLs was southern Kenya. Since food safety is the highest exceeded, or why there may be residue of From its launch in 2016, Subati has priority, ensuring strict adherence a chemical not expected for that crop. If rapidly grown their herbs operation, to maximum residue levels (MRLs) the exporter fails to adequately respond realizing in 2017 that in order to of approved inputs (fertilizer, during this 4-hour window, they risk maintain the highest food safety herbicides, pesticides) on all herbs having all their products immediately standards, quality certifications and exported to clients in Europe and rejected by that customer, causing huge full traceability through production, around the world is ‘business critical.’ financial losses and tarnishing their a digital farm management system reputation. This can bankrupt any herb Reducing MRL Risks, Properly was required. producer – and is a key reason that Responding When They Occur Subati decided it was critical to invest in The Agribusiness Advisory Team When customers receive herbs from Farmforce at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the Digital Trouble Shooting and Issue World Bank Group, was already in Resolution discussions with Subati and was keen With the marjoram issue, the chemical to support testing out agricultural residue found by the client was not a technology solutions. IFC strives chemical that should have been applied, so to enable the development of where did it come from? The Subati team agribusinesses in emerging markets, quickly confirmed through Farmforce facilitating competitive access to that that chemical was not applied to the global markets. marjoram in question, but could see that Rapid Response to Chemical Residue it was applied in a different section of the Enquiries greenhouse. Prior to deploying Farmforce in Since the chemical was applied via the 2018, all records were manually kept irrigation system, they determined that on paper, requiring a room full of must be the source of the contamination, binders to keep track of the status locating a valve in the irrigation system of all greenhouse areas and what where the chemical was getting ‘stuck’ and specific chemicals were applied to staying in the irrigation system even after each crop. the chemicals were flushed out. While this system has been used in Safety-focused and compliant chemical Having a simple digital platform to the horticulture industry for years, it storage and application system at Subati have complete oversight of all chemical JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 69 ROOTOOBA News issue 001 14 ROOTOOBA Innovation applications – when, where, by whom – made this troubleshooting quick and efficient. John explains, “it would have taken at least four to five times longer (many hours), to go through all the physical paperwork, involving many more staff, distracting from normal operations.” If they could not determine this within the four hours allowed by the client, the client could think one chemical residue issue would indicate much larger food safety issues at Subati, risking ruining their excellent reputation. Quality Certifications to Access Markets Greenhouse full of Basil, ready for harvest, packaging and export to the UK. In order to sell in global markets, and contract with major supermarkets collection within a PHI, providing a With the alert in place, Subati is confident and wholesalers, Subati spent 1.5 safeguard against harvesting early, of both food safety, and passing the audit. years in extensive application, audit and then having herbs rejected by and quality control processes to Customer Confidence in Reliable System the customer when doing chemical receive certifications. When meeting with new potential clients, residue tests. With the alert in place, They proved their operations having a robust digital traceability system Subati is confident of both food safety, adhered to the highest levels of food in place is key, and is now expected of and passing the audit. safety, staff training and responsible suppliers selling high quality herbs and Farmforce has automatic features that input use with a robust traceability other horticultural products. pops up an alert if the mobile user system. Certifications like Global Customers need that reliability factor - the tries to record a harvest collection GAP require yearly audits, and that ability to ask their herbs supplier about within a PHI, providing a safeguard is where having all the data on input specifics in the production and receive a against harvesting early, and then applications, planting dates and staff quick, professional response backed up by having herbs rejected by the customer safety training comes in handy. Prior transparent data from Farmforce. when doing chemical residue tests. to Farmforce, Subati would maintain 50+ binders of data sheets and would have to spend days sorting through them to fulfill the specific requests from the auditors – now all the data is digital and can be selected and printed for the auditor in minutes – saving valuable time for Subati staff and expense with the auditors. For example, audit points for spot checking on pre-harvest intervals (PHI) check that crops are not harvested within a certain number of days based on what input was applied. Farmforce has automatic features that pops up an alert if the mobile user tries to record a harvest Greenhouse staff discussing and practicing on Farmforce during a training. 70 ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 As Farmforce is used across Subati’s operations, the team looks forward to further leveraging the digital data on the “You can’t do farming without Farmforce; you can’t be an effective platform to better track their year-on-year production and exporter. It’s business critical to have digitization to make it all work so performance. As they use the system across more seasons, you can address demands from international customers.” they can compare their output in volumes, input efficiency, - Jacque Njonjo, Africa Lead at IFC Food Safety Advisory staff hours, and other key performance metrics to more robustly determine optimal production strategies. The Farmforce team will continue to support Subati through “We use Farmforce’s traceability features every day. When there was an developing custom reports conducting team trainings to issue with marjoram MRL from the customer, we quickly went into the ensure that they continue to thrive and grow together. raw data in Farmforce to trace the product - what chemicals were applied and when. With Farmforce, in less than 15 minutes, we can see the exact situation and then figure out the root problem. It used to take hours, but “Using Farmforce isn’t just about financial gain now customers have confidence with our quick response supported by from operational efficiencies; we’re in the business digital data from Farmforce” of food production and the level of integrity required -John Kibiwott, Operations Manager is akin to mother and child. While we can calculate the cost of disruption and loss of business, if there is a food safety issue, the potential loss of reputation How do you measure the value of a seatbelt or an airbag? You have to is too huge to put a number on it. Farmforce helps be in a situation where the integrity of a system is tested - you don’t us maintain the highest levels of food safety and appreciate its value until it’s tested. When grocers have an issue, they to proactively avoid mistakes that can destroy the go to suppliers – Farmforce gives the food safety data so customers get business.” a print-out from a reputable system, a system established to ensure - Thomas Skaper, Subati COO data integrity. You can’t manipulate it. Farmforce gives our customers confidence in us, in our integrity.” - Thomas Skaper, Su“bati COO Farmforce strives to build trust and transparency in the agricultural first mile. We deliver digital solutions to secure sustainable sourcing, improve farmer quality of life and protect the environment. Through a bush- proof web and mobile platform, refined over eight years, clients have visibility down to the field level while building a fully traceable supply chain. Farmforce is used in 32 countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America to manages over 520,000 farmers in 45 crop value chains and 15 languages. Find out how Farmforce could help you at www.farmforce.com or contact us at info@farmforce.com JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 71 ROOTOOBA Innovation Digital platform powers farms, boosts production By Verenardo Meeme Farmforce a unique digital information and evidence such as “You can’t do farming without Farmforce; platform that captures photo backups stored on the web. you can’t be an effective exporter. It’s information from farms, is Besides, the platform displays the business-critical to have digitization helping farmers keep track compliance status. The system to make it all work so you can address of safe use of chemicals and generate enables transparency with no room demands from international customers,” data that is transforming farming. for collusion with unscrupulous observes Jacque Njonjo, Africa Lead at The platform is also drawing more business operators, since the IFC Food Safety Advisory. partners to find interest in investing platform uses GPS coordinates to Kamenchu explains that the system has in the agricultural value chain. monitor activities on the farm. If access rights. Not everyone will be given Farmforce Head of Africa Operations there is an issue, for instance misuse rights to access information, as each Faith Kamenchu says the digital of pesticides, the source will be company data is secure and the platform solution secures sustainable known. does not show demos for clients without sourcing, better farmer quality of life Subati, a farming business, uses consent from clients using the platform. and protection of the environment. the Farmforce platform to operate Kamenchu adds that since data on the ‘‘Over 520,000 farmers are already its farming business across its agricultural value chain is available using the platform. More than 40 operations. The team looks forward when it is required, it is easier for crops such as vanilla, coffee, baby to further leveraging the digital farmers to link to the market, raising the corn, avocados and fresh produce data on the platform to better track number of interested partners such as have been deployed through the their year-on-year production and bank institutions, input suppliers and platform. The digital tool operates in performance. aggregators who want to work with us 14 languages active in 30 countries,’’ As they use the system across because we have the data. Kamenchu tells Rootooba. more seasons, they can compare They can easily determine and predict At a time farmers’ access to extension their output in volumes, input the viability of the farming business, services is proving to be a challenge, efficiency, staff hours, and other for instance, yield per acre, and can Kamenchu says one extension officer key performance metrics to more summarise information about various can capture information for 25 users robustly determine optimal inputs and their performance in a given in a day and within a week they production strategies. region through the Farmforce platform. can see about 500 farmers. Advice “Using Farmforce isn’t just about Over time, the data is changing the such as on proper use of chemicals, financial gain from operational perception about bad agricultural maximum residue levels (MRLs) efficiencies; we’re in the business practices, hence building trust among training is much faster, as farmers of food production and the level of consumers. ‘‘The European market was can use the tool to check the right integrity required is akin to mother suspicious and many farmers missed out amount of dosage, types of pesticides and child. While we can calculate exporting because of lack of paperwork, to be sprayed to a particular crop, the cost of disruption and loss of but this is changing,” Kamenchu notes. when, etc. business, if there is a food safety She says the future is bright. Integrating The platform has been developed issue, the potential loss of reputation ICTs in farming systems will boost according to the GLOBAL G.A.P is too huge to put a number to it. producers’ ventures. With data, they checklist, with an elaborate Farmforce helps us maintain the are able to get subsidized inputs, access interpretation of various processes highest levels of food safety and to financing independently and build required by GLOBAL G.A.P. proactively avoid mistakes that can consumer confidence. Kamenchu says farmers can destroy the business,” says Subati be audited independently and Chief Operating Officer Thomas Skaper. 72 ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 Africa’s agribusiness CEOs 71 steps to post-COVID recovery By Omulo Okoth Agribusiness in Africa AfCFTA is expected to pave the The Africa Agribusiness Outlook survey is going through way for a rapid dismantling of report, an initiative of the Alliance for a unprecedented challenges impediments to cross-border trade. Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and during this period East Africa has already made some KPMG financial and business advisory of COVID-19 but the sector has progress in this area by, for example, services, was launched on 17 November shown remarkable resilience that installing 25 one-stop border posts, 2020. offers hope in the continent’s post- significantly reducing the time taken The report highlights the major challenges pandemic economic recovery. for goods to pass through customs. faced by CEOs during this COVID-19 Resilience in Africa’s agribusiness AfCTFA’s implementation has period but more importantly, showcases sector cannot be demonstrated at a been preceded and augmented by the resilience of the agribusiness sector better time. Implementation of the the inaugural Africa Agribusiness in Africa. It identifies opportunities for African Continental Free Trade Area Outlook survey that was conducted businesses which governments and (AfCFTA) has began. on agribusiness CEOs from early players in the agricultural ecosystem While the COVID-19 crisis has to mid-2020 to gain insights into should pay heed to. complicated the picture, there is their top priorities, how they are When the survey was launched in March optimism that the East African addressing challenges, and what 2020, most countries had implemented region is well-placed to implement they see as opportunities in these lockdown procedures. Governments the AfCTFA despite the scepticism COVID-19 dominated times. faced (and still do) a delicate balancing act expressed in some quarters. JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 73 ROOTOOBA Agribusiness – either prevent the explosion of a score (number 1) was ranked 8.67, that will de-risk our investments in public health crisis and the implosion while the lowest (number 71) was agribusiness. of our health systems, or preserve the ranked 4.32. Below is the full ranking 12. Prioritize building of partnerships economy. of the comprehensive responses on to support delivery of services to It was not an easy choice, the report the priorities for Africa’s agribusiness smallholder farmers. states, and yet we must continue. “In sector post-COVID-19: 13. Deploy early stage financing, the midst of the pandemic we have 1. More flexible financing venture type financing to support been heartened by the responsiveness structures for agriculture start-ups in the agribusiness sector. of the African business community to and agribusiness sector that 14. Governments should resolve long this inaugural Agribusiness Survey.” support business growth and border queues caused by COVID-19. CEOs, company founders and provide flexibility to respond to market shocks and emerging 15. Increase technology investments senior executives responded to in agriculture because this is a game- the questions via Zoom or online innovation. Scored: 1 t changer for the sector. links. Businesses are struggling but 2. Increase productivity on small they are also determined to survive farms. Increased productivity 16. Prioritize guarantees by government COVID-19 and emerge stronger. is key to agricultural to support lending to smallholder The survey sought to understand transformation on the farmers. the priorities, opportunities and continent. 17. Increase access to water and low constraints for businesses operating 3. Develop mechanisms for cost irrigation technology. with the agricultural ecosystem in reducing the cost of money 18. Government should improve Africa. particularly for purchase of the policy, legal and regulatory The 2020 Survey will form a baseline agribusiness assets (machinery, environment for businesses working to track priorities of the private equipment, stores etc). in the agricultural sector. sector over the next few years to 4. Increase advocacy for 19. Develop inclusive supply chains gain insights on what matters most governments to invest in involving smallholder farmers. This to them. These topical insights will infrastructure such as roads is critical to our sourcing and risk enable policymakers to respond to and reach of electricity grid. management strategy. businesses in a more agile manner. 5. Increase catalytic financing 20. Prioritize public-private initiatives The 10-point agenda for action: (e.g. grants) for the entire that fund and accelerate • Provide more flexible financing agricultural value chain, not developments in the agribusiness structures. just technology. space. • Increase productivity for 6. Government needs to allocate 21. Support consolidation of smallholder farms. more funding than it is smallholder farms to increase • Reduce the cost of money. currently doing on agriculture. production. • Increase advocacy for 7. Increase public private 22. Support innovation technologies for infrastructure. partnerships critical for agriculture that are affordable and accelerating infrastructure accessible to the African farmer and • Deliver catalytic finance. development adapted to Africa. • Increase government spending 8. Increase investment in the 23. Build more inclusive supply chains on agriculture. agricultural sector by the with greater participation of women • Create more public-private private sector. and youth. partnerships for infrastructure. 9. A massive increase in the 24. 24. Mechanization is very • Increase more public-private availability of finance important for transformation of partnerships for agriculture. throughout the agribusiness smallholder farming in Africa. • Increase massively, financing value chains is critical for the 25. Develop affordable and accessible across value chains. transformation of agriculture technology-based solutions for • Develop affordable technologies in Africa. delivering services to smallholder for Africa. 10. Increase access to agricultural farmers. This is key to thriving in The scientific, evidence-based survey technologies that have been COVID-19 era. with direct one-on-one interviews adapted for Africa and that are 26. Promote climate smart agriculture as posed 71 questions to which the affordable. a key driver for transformation and respondents answered in order of 11. Deploy blended finance development of resilience. priority on the 1-10 scale. The highest initiatives for agribusinesses 27. Diversify incomes at the farmer level. 74 ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 28. Build more inclusive supply transformation. enforcement of policies and regulations. and distribution chains by 41. Prioritize development and 55. Create multi-sector public private involving women as suppliers, implementation of international platforms to drive agenda, resources and distributors, lead farmers and food safety standards to learnings on agricultural transformation. trainers. facilitate international trade in 56. Enact policies by government that 29. Prioritize promotion of regional food. reduce cost of digital transactions and trade and facilitation. 42. Prioritize intra-African trade. reach of mobile money particularly for 30. Increase access to affordable 43. Liberalize regional trade for rural communities. irrigation technologies, adapted seed markets to support access 57. Participate as the private sector in for Africa. to improved seed and increase negotiations for the Africa Continental 31. Prioritize skills development in productivity. Free Trade Area (AfCTFA). and training/education of 44. Vocational training is key to 58. Open access to national digital database population. agricultural transformation. of smallholder farmers. 32. Equip future industry leaders 45. Develop gender sensitive 59. Greater leadership by the government in including women leaders with farmer extension programmes, transforming the agricultural sector. the skills and experience to take including leadership 60. Open markets for labour to boost intra- on leadership and governance programmes at the smallholder Africa trade and agricultural production. roles in the company and level. industry. 61. Increase government-subsidized farmer 46. At firm level, we need to extension services. 33. Open markets for food and prioritize increasing our commodity trade to boost intra 62. Prioritize ecommerce. Ecommerce is understanding and contribute African trade. vital to thriving during and post-COVID.to discussions and negotiations 34. Complete high quality trade on the Africa Continent Free 63. Achieve at least 50% women agreements to create market Trade Area (AfCFTA). representation in senior leadership and advantages for agribusinesses in board level.47. Prioritize work on tax regimes your country. for agricultural goods, (VAT, 64. Liberalise food markets technology, as 35. Increased investment in and a import/export duties, profit tax). it is critical to the success of surviving greater provision of improved negative impact of COVID-19.48. Increased focus from seed varieties for all crops government and other actors on 65. Leverage technology as it is critical to cultivated on the continent. agricultural education at high the success of surviving negative impact 36. Promote partnerships for R&D school and tertiary level of COVID-19. with industry, universities in 49. Diversify the agricultural 66. Prioritize implementation of country and research stations, economy from traditional staple international food safety standards in to support innovation in crops e.g. maize to new high- response to COVID-19. agribusiness income food and horticultural 67. Seek government and donor financial 37. Leverage private sector in crops. support to enable the firm to survive agricultural development 50. Increase investment as a firm impact of COVID-19. i.e. planning, investment, in technology and innovation 68. Minimise disruptions in operations as a consultations. to support operational and result of COVID-19. 38. Prioritize direct cost-sharing financial performance. 69. Government should consider of business development 51. Prioritize standard setting and introduction of GMO particularly for services to agribusiness SMEs certification of agricultural non-food crops such as cotton (e.g. Bt and smallholder farmer goods. cotton). organizations. 52. Develop inclusive supply chains 70. Put all new investments on hold for now 39. Promote career opportunities involving smallholder farmer. until we understand the future post- available in the agribusiness This is part of our CSR strategy. COVID-19. sector in a coordinated way 53. Develop a continent-wide 71. Shut down or pivot the business as a to attract talented people, integrity mark system to result of COVID-19.no particularly youth, to enable the facilitate intra-African trade, industry to grow. growth of African retailers and 40. Develop multi-stakeholder give assurance to consumers in platforms and partnerships Africa. for driving agricultural 54. Prioritize development and JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 75 Upcoming GLOBALG.A.P events in Jan-Mar 2021 22-25 February 2021 22-23 March 2021 https://onlineacademy.globalgap.org/ Read more about it on: https://www.globalgap.org/de/newsartikel/IFA-Standard-Now-Available-in-Swahili-Language/ Upcoming GLOBALG.A.P events in Jan-Mar 2021 The resurgence of the locust swarms could aggravate food security in the Horn of Africa region, where almost 25 million people are already suffering from acute food insecurity. Photo: Haji Dirir/FAO 22-25 February 2021 Millions at risk in new desert locust invasion By Murimi Gitari Kenya is one of the devouring vegetation and grasslands. Kitui, Mandera, Marsabit, Samburu, Taita countries in the greater Kenya’s Agriculture Cabinet Taveta, Tana River and Wajir counties, Horn of Africa region Secretary Peter Munya said the destroying crops and grass, threatening reeling from a fresh desert ministry would set up steering residents and livestock food security. locust invasion following another committees in counties to spearhead Disaster response teams in Samburu foray which struck the region earlier the fight against the second wave of County used special drones equipped this year, threatening food supplies the invading pests, which arrived in with mapping sensors to spray the for millions. the country earlier than had been destructive pests, with the technology 22-23 March 2021 The UN Food and Agriculture projected. proving effective in handling pests in Organization (FAO) said the invasion He said the government had set inaccessible remote areas. in early December could re-escalate aside Sh3.2 billion ($32 million) to Swarms matured and started breeding as recent strong winds carried mature combat the desert locusts, noting due to the cool environment during https://onlineacademy.globalgap.org/ swarmlets from southern Somalia that their successful control depends the short rains season. The swarms in into eastern and northeastern Kenya. on the effective coordination and Taita Taveta headed towards north east Already eight counties in Kenya are cooperation between the national Tanzania and landed in Kilimanjaro, Read more about it on: threatened with starvation following and county governments. Manyara and Tanga areas, reducing the https://www.globalgap.org/de/newsartikel/IFA-Standard-Now-Available-in-Swahili-Language/ the fresh invasion by small mature The ravenous pests invaded northern threat on vegetation in the county. swarms of desert locusts swooping and eastern regions of Garissa, Isiolo, FAO had warned that the risk remained from neighbouring Somalia JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 77 ROOTOOBA Feature high in northern Kenya where the been scaled-up and are ongoing,” said infestations affecting the greater Horn of locusts laid eggs in sandy areas where FAO Representative in Somalia Etienne Africa region. the rains fell in November, and the Peterschmitt. But increasingly, nature-based biopesticides hatching and band formation started “These resources include aircrafts, offer a reliable, less harmful alternative for in early December. vehicles, equipment, biopesticides, insect controlling locust outbreaks before they Farmers and pastoralists were growth regulators and staff that have reach crisis levels. They also offer a solution alarmed at the impending invasion been strategically been positioned in for treating outbreaks in fragile ecosystems. from Somalia and Ethiopia, worsening various parts of the country,” he added. “We’ve been using biopesticides to control the situation as the authorities battle In addition to the measures to reduce desert locusts and it’s a great tool to treat the challenges posed by the Covid-19 breeding and swarms, FAO and partners initial, small groups of hoppers before pandemic. are also supporting farmers in the they form huge hopper bands,” says Keith Swarm formation was expected to affected areas. Supplies have been Cressman, a locust expert at FAO. continue throughout December delivered and pre-positioned to assist “We’re looking at an insect that multiplies due to widespread hatching and food-insecure households at risk of the 20-fold with each new generation every band formation that occurred in locust invasion, including planting and three months, so it’s critical that we the neighbouring countries where replanting packages, supplementary shift our focus to interventions than can aerial and ground control operations feed and integrated cash assistance and disrupt the breeding cycle. And using an continued. livelihood support. effective ecological tool that farmers and While control operations have Response efforts are also underway in governments can use in any environment previously been strained due to Eritrea, Sudan and southeastern Egypt, as makes sense in this time and age,” he notes. inadequate pesticides and logistical teams continue ground and aerial control Prevention is becoming increasingly challenges, officials fear the latest operations against groups of hoppers and important with climate change, which is invasion could ignite resource-based adults. likely to bring more cyclones and severe conflicts and result to loss of lives. The desert locust invasion in February rains that make for ideal breeding grounds A resurgence of the swarms could 2020 in Kenya was the worst in 70 years, for hoppers. The current locust crisis is aggravate food security in the Horn of while Somalia and Ethiopia experienced a case in point. It started on the Arabian Africa region, where almost 25 million their worst outbreaks in 25 years, putting Peninsula after two cyclones in 2018, before people are already suffering from crop production, food security and swarms moved and multiplied rapidly severe acute food insecurity. millions of lives at risk. throughout the region. Desert locusts are considered the Swarms crossed into South Sudan, Going forward, biopesticides have an most destructive migratory pest in Uganda and Tanzania between March and important role to play in strategies that the world, devouring large areas of July before they were eventually brought monitor such risky weather events and crops and grasses meant for people under control. start preventive treatment in the early and livestock. Traditionally, chemical pesticides have stages of an outbreak. This would go a long FAO is supporting in Somalia to scale been the only effective method to control way to avoiding the kinds of large-scale up anti-locust measures, focusing on extreme locust infestations. And because crises the Horn of Africa is experiencing areas at high risk. “Survey and control they work the quickest, they remain a key today and safeguard the food security of operations, by ground and by air, have tool in extreme cases like the large-scale millions of people. Swarms of locusts matured and started breeding due to the cool environment during the short rains season. Photo: Sven Torfinn/FAO 78 ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 Global Panel�s co-chair retires after 7-year stint By Rootooba Reporter Former President of Ghana of Nutrition and Dietetics to ensure that John A. Kufuor who has nutrition advocacy is consolidated and been Co-Chair of the Global more effective.Panel on Agriculture and At the heart of all his achievements is Food Systems for Nutrition since its President Kufuor’s personal desire to see inception in 2013 has retired. food systems transformed so that they Through his leadership, the Panel has provide safe, affordable and healthy diets delivered 18 evidence-based policy for all whilst protecting and nurturing and technical briefs covering various planetary resources. He has recently aspects of food systems, together stated that, “food and nutrition are central with two Foresight reports. to the stability of mankind”. It has also convened several round And while he is stepping down from active table events with governments in Retired Global Panel Co-Chair John duty as Co-Chair of the Global Panel, his Kufuor Sub- Saharan Africa and South to catalyse and sustain high-level unparalleled expertise will still be called Asia to inform decision-makers political leadership and commitment upon from time to time and his legacy will on evidence-based policies to help to end malnutrition in Africa. continue to influence generations to come. deliver healthy diets for all. A legacy that is encapsulated in the Global The former President was also As former President of Ghana, winner Panel’s new report Future Food Systems: instrumental in helping the Global of the World Food Prize for Food and For People, Our Planet and Prosperity, a Panel convene high-level inter- Agriculture in 2011, and former World report he is proud to have been part of.Ministerial meetings in Ghana, Food Programme Global Ambassador including with President Nana In typically understated fashion, at the against Hunger, Kufuor has gained Akufo-Addo, where there was launch of this report, President Kufuor global acclaim for his unique agreement to accelerate progress to said he would like to be “known as understanding of how food systems tackle malnutrition in Ghana. someone who did his bit to help make can support better nutrition and the world identify the things needed to sustainable agriculture. This culminated in signing a transform food systems, for the better Consensus Statement in March 2019, His wealth of knowledge, high status development of mankind and to sustain which pointed the way forward for and positive influence have allowed our planet”.multi-sectoral action on food systems the Global Panel to effect change at to promote healthy diets. The new report provides a series of the very highest level. evidence-based recommendations and Through the John A. Kufuor He founded the African Leaders for practical steps for governments, civil Foundation, President Kufuor has Nutrition (ALN) initiative, alongside society and the private sector.also maintained his heartfelt support Global Panel member and President to fight all forms of malnutrition in As President Kufuor put it, “We have the of the African Development Bank, his home country of Ghana. evidence. We have the steps to begin food Dr Akinwumi Adesina, and the late system transformation. We now need Dr Kofi Annan (1938-2018), former Partnering with the United Nations the commitment and courage from our Secretary-General of the United World Food Programme, he drove leaders across the world to act now”. Nations. forward a nationwide strategic review of Sustainable Development Fellow Co-Chair, Sir John Beddington This high-level initiative is now Goal 2 (SDG2) leading to President said: “I speak on behalf of my fellow Panel driving political engagement to Akufo-Addo launching the Ghana members when I say we have been very advance nutrition in Africa. It is Zero Hunger Strategic Review Report privileged to have worked alongside John led by an eminent group of ALN in 2017. Kufuor during the last seven years. His champions, comprising of current knowledge and status have both enriched and former heads of state, finance He has also supported the our work and given us unparalleled access ministers and leaders with the power inauguration of the Ghana Academy to leaders across Africa, and beyond”. JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 79 ROOTOOBA Feature Around two-thirds of the African population are employed in the agricultural sector, including many small-scale farmers and women. Africa charts new path to meet Malabo targets By Alberto Leny Seventeen years ago during Development Programme (CAADP), commitment is far from being realised their annual African which has since then served as the and the 10% pledge remains largely Union (AU) Assembly, framework for action for agricultural unfulfilled. Ten years after the Maputo African Heads of State and transformation across Africa. Declaration, the African leaders met in Government adopted the Maputo The Declaration on Agriculture and Equatorial Guinea’s capital city, Malabo, Declaration on Agriculture and Food Food Security in Africa adopted at for the yearly AU pilgrimage. Security in Africa. that meeting became the point of The Malabo Declaration signed at the At that meeting in July 2003, the reference for charting actions to leaders’ AU Summit in 2014 represented a leaders endorsed several ambitious implement the CAADP. recommitment to the CAADP principles decisions regarding agriculture, CAADP supports member states and goals adopted in 2003 in Maputo, the most prominent one being the in increasing investment and Mozambique. But Malabo went further “commitment to allocate at least 10% productivity in the agricultural sector. by identifying specific goals and targets to of national budgetary resources to The aim is to achieve agricultural be achieved within ten years. agriculture and rural development growth rates of more than 6% as a The targets include ending hunger, policy implementation within five means of promoting food security tripling intra-African trade in agricultural years” of the declaration. and economic development. goods and services, enhancing resilience of The same meeting adopted the Nearly twenty years later, this livelihoods and production systems, and Comprehensive Africa Agriculture 80 ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ensuring that agriculture contributes progress in 2017 and 2019 towards agricultural transformation. significantly to poverty reduction. achieving the Malabo commitment These include agricultural productivity, The Declaration introduced a specific targets by 2025. employment share, GDP share, labour commitment on mutual accountability However, only four (Ghana, Mali, productivity and expected growth rate or to actions and results, calling on AU Morocco and Rwanda) attained the change. member states to conduct a biennial minimum score required to be on- International Fund for Agricultural agricultural review (BR) process track. Opening the meeting, AU Development (IFAD) East and Southern involving tracking, monitoring and Commissioner for Rural Economy and Africa Director Sara Mbago-Bhunu, noting reporting on implementation progress. Agriculture Ambassador Josefa Sacko the growth of philanthropy and the private Last month, the AU and its partners still expressed optimism that together sector in Africa’s agricultural transformation, convened its annual Malabo the member states could meet the said the COVID-19 pandemic had hit the Agricultural Policy Learning Event Malabo goal of ending hunger by 2025. continent hard. (MAPLE) that brings together technical It is important to place the alarming “For sustainable development in the experts and country-level policy statistics revealed in the BR report COVID-19 era, labour, production on farms practitioners to discuss important into perspective, in view of the and SMEs, CAADP needs to refocus African agricultural topics, share learning and Malabo Declaration targets and agriculture with a resilient lens based on the generate actions that can drive the their implications on Africa’s much- food economy and the smallholder farmer,” Malabo Agenda. needed food security and agricultural said Mbago-Bhunu. The December 8-9 MAPLE followed transformation. She noted that 65% of the continent’s adult the 2020 (16th) CAADP partnership In his presentation in a panel with population was engaged in agriculture as platform held virtually on November Amb Sacko, Organization of African a source of livelihood and that 68% of the 24-25 due to COVID-19, at which some Caribbean and Pacific States Secretary- rural income was generated from farms. The startling revelations were made General Georges Rebelo Pinto Chikoti demand shock in COVID-19 had caused a regarding the Maputo and Malabo and EU Commissioner for Agriculture destruction in supply chains and minimum statements. Janusz Wojciechowski, Burkina Faso access to inputs. At this meeting, the CAADP biennial Agriculture Minister Salifou Ouedraogo “Countries need data to bridge the deficit review (BR) revealed that out of the 49 explained what is required for Africa’s gap caused by COVID-19, locusts, drought member states, 36 had made positive agricultural transformation and and floods. The current investment system is outlined key policy drivers for Africa’s AU Commissioner for Rural Economy and IFAD East and Southern Africa Director Sara COMESA Business Council’s Sandra Agriculture Ambassador Josefa Sacko Mbago-Bhunu Uwera JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 81 ROOTOOBA Feature untenable in terms of financial risks. If the continent is to feed a predicted nine sector guide to industrial policy, health, Resilience requires building back billion people by 2050, its agricultural food security, environmental concerns, better with new ways of doing things sector must be modernised, strategies for productivity and rural development in in smallholder farms,” she advised. adaptation to climate change developed Africa. Data will help build intra-regional That will require looking at the whole and additional efforts made to utilise trade,” she said. of the ecosystem, with landscape women’s untapped potential. IFPRI Senior Research Fellow John type approaches, bringing all actors MAPLE 2020 on December 8 and 9, a follow- Ulimwengu said data collection including the smallholders on board up on using the 16th CAADP biennial should focus on women and youth and making medium and SMEs the review to inform policy debate, sought empowerment and highlight support for backbone of the food systems. to address these challenges by fostering every segment of the value chain, noting The 16th CAADP session on alignment, harmonization and coordination that agricultural growth is critical for accelerated action toward among multi-sectorial efforts and multi- overall agricultural transformation: developing and financing Malabo institutional platforms. “To achieve a higher BR score and compliant National Agricultural Second, it called for the strengthening improved quality of data, we must move Plans (NAIPs) was moderated by of national, regional and continental from improved reporting to improved the AU Commission Rural Economy institutional capacities for knowledge policy interventions. The same type of and Agriculture Director Godfrey and data generation and management correlation with resilience to COVID-19. Bahiigwa. to support evidence-based planning, Build resilient food systems to withstand The panellists included SADC implementation, monitoring and the type of shock caused by COVID-19.” Department for Food Agriculture evaluation. Noting that 80% of African farmers and Natural Resources Domingos The meeting reviewed progress towards the are smallholders, Ulimwengu said Gove, ECOWAS Director of 2025 targets set in the Malabo Declaration the interventions must be climate- Agriculture Alain Sy Traore and and adopted appropriate collective actions and nutrition-smart, with increased the Principal Secretary in Kenya’s to accelerate agricultural growth and investment in gender-based policies State Department for Agricultural transformation. across the agriculture value chain. Research and Crop Development MAPLE 2020 dug deeper into the biennial Which calls for behaviour change within Hamadi Boga. review report and its implications for governments, development partners, non- The CADDP’s biennial review national agricultural policy planning. state actors and the private sector. (BR) indicators are based on five Technical experts provided answers and groups - institutions, technologies offered support for countries to think about and knowledge, human capital, their results more deeply. infrastructure and markets and Representing the non-state actors, trade. ActionAid International’s Constance Okeke As part of the BR process, the called for greater public engagement and The 16th CAADP meeting reflected on the need to investment in the BR for wide distribution session focused on embed data collection and analysis and dissemination, noting that most in national agricultural investment countries are not on track with regard to accelerated action plans (NAIPs). data gathering. toward developing Around two-thirds of the African She said agriculture has a key role to play and financing Malabo population are employed in the in development and called for inclusion: agricultural sector, including many “Listen to the farmers, make policies that compliant National small-scale farmers and women. are implementable, with practical solutions However, its potential to enhance and investments.” Agricultural Plans food security, reduce poverty, create COMESA Business Council’s Sandra Uwera (NAIPs) jobs and empower women is not yet said the shock of COVID-19 calls for work on fully realised. the ground to support actors access inputs Many farmers, particularly women, and to feed trade, by empowering youth lack the appropriate skills to improve and women to expand markets beyond productivity, processing and trade. smallholdings. Climate change is also adversely “Data collection is key to the private affecting agricultural productivity. 82 ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 Jeffrey Sachs, Director UN Sustainable Guido Barilla, Chairman Barilla Group, the Qu Dongyu, Director-General Food and Development Solutions Network world’s largest pasta company Agriculture Organization Resetting the global food system from farm to fork Alberto Leny The spread of COVID-19 has Foundation Advisory Group, come Because the challenges we face impact demonstrated the fragility from different disciplines - medical each of us, we need shared and systemic of global food systems, but and public health professionals, solutions and a global commitment to also offers opportunities to and experts on climate change and redesign the future since there is only transform the way food is produced, finance, nutrition, international One Health for humans, animals, plants distributed and consumed, an development and food policy, and the environment, the forum declared. international forum of experts has economics, environmental sciences Against the backdrop of the pandemic, revealed. and ecology. that has wreaked havoc on lives, Meeting in an online event with the In setting the stage for the 2021 livelihoods and economies, the meeting theme ‘Resetting the Food System World Food Conference, the forum looked at the future of food experiences from Farm to Fork’, the distinguished deliberated on a number of topics post COVID-19, the new food economy speakers explored how all humanity including how to respond to a global and the future of food business. can play a role in re-aligning the crisis, how farmers can better feed Speakers discussed food and the global food system with human needs the world and the EU strategy for intersection of technology, and explained and within planetary boundaries. better food systems. why food is business as they committed The high-level forum convened to Jeffrey Sachs explained why we to a shared vision of the future of food set the stage for the United Nations need a new food system, saying that systems. Food Systems Summit at the General currently it is not working well. Guido Barilla, Chairman of the Barilla Assembly in September 2021, pledged The COVID-19 pandemic has made Group and Barilla Foundation, which to end hunger, improve health, the food sector worse, adding to hosted the event, recalled that sustain livelihoods and protect the the challenges of greenhouse gas the World Food Day was a particularly natural environment. emissions, chemicals and pollution important event in 2020, the 75th The experts, members of the affecting food production and anniversary of the foundation of the Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition distribution. UN and the Food and Agriculture JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 83 ROOTOOBA Feature highly perishable products. While all stakeholders should be aware of their impact on natural resources and adopt a sustainable approach, individual citizens should always strive to make healthy food choices and reduce waste as much as possible, to help cultivate, nourish and preserve the planet. In this time of panic and uncertainty, we can see the deep interconnectedness between human, animal, plant and environmental health. It is also clear that world's food and agriculture systems need to be fixed - that was the case pre-pandemic - and the time to act to fix the food system is now. It is time to truly revolutionize, recreate and reinvent our approach to food, The demand for food is growing all the time among the world population expected to reach 10 billion nutrition and health. COVID-19 is by 2050. providing unprecedented opportunities Organization (FAO). It was also the year 135 million are suffering from acute hunger to create a resilient food system that the World Food Programme won the in 55 countries. On the other hand, obesity is truly regenerative and restorative, Nobel Peace Prize. rates have surged in all countries, whether healthier for people, and leaves no However, 2020 was also a special year developed or not, due to unhealthy diets one behind, the experts said in a due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which and lifestyles. communique issued at the end of the FAO says “threatens to reverse important The food supply chain from farm to fork forum. milestones achieved in the areas of food includes actors that FAO defines as “food They proposed 10 bold and security, nutrition and livelihoods.” heroes” -labourers, pastoralists, fishing interdisciplinary actions to finding ways Most important, 2020 marks the start of communities, mountain farmers, foresters, to nourish both people and the planet the Decade of Action to achieve the United shepherds and farmers from indigenous today and in the future: Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development communities. According to FAO data, there 1. Create better standards and Goals (SDGs). are 800 million family farmers managing terminology. 75% of agricultural land and producing Many steps have already been taken 2. Improve measurement. about 80% of food globally. towards achieving the goals set, but the 3. Encourage businesses to focus on speed of the actions taken is not yet fast They are also innovators by definition, health and sustainability. enough to achieve the final victory. often having to adapt their cultivation and 4. Digitize food and agriculture production methods to changing external There are still many problems to solve, information conditions and climate change, without particularly with regard to food systems stopping even in the face of a pandemic like 5. Identify the true cost of food. and the aim of definitively eliminating COVID-19. “Many of us depend on them, 6. Improve seed security, diversity, hunger in the world, guaranteeing safe but it is often small farmers who are most and soil regeneration. and sufficient food for all. vulnerable during a crisis,” say FAO experts. 7. Mobilize all actors. The demand for food is growing all FAO is urging countries to support the the time among the world population 8. Increase awareness and education. disclosure and use of data, collaborate expected to reach 10 billion by 2050. 9. Enable healthy and sustainable to make food systems more resilient to “Unless we transform our food systems, diets and empower eaters. volatility and climate shocks, and prioritize undernourishment and malnutrition will innovation and digitalization to bridge the 10. Build global resiliency. have increased significantly by then,” FAO digital divide. Raising awareness on the systematic warns. Private companies are advised to invest in connection between good nutrition and The figures clearly illustrate the problem sustainable and resilient food systems that the environment and humanity will we are facing: over 2 billion people offer decent jobs; food companies, including help build responsible food behaviours currently have no regular access to e-commerce companies to use or share new to reduce the environmental, economic healthy and sufficient food, and around technologies to manage stocks, especially and social impact of food waste. 84 ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 ISSUE 003 85 United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Executive Director David Beasley receives the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the agency in October 2020 at the agency’s headquarters on 10 December. Photo WFP/Rein Skullerud WFP chief’s Nobel appeal to avert ‘hunger pandemic’ By Rootooba Reporter World Food Programme (WFP) Executive he told the online ceremony, citing both the 1964 Nobel laureate, Director David Beasley has warned Dr Martin Luther King Jr, and The Bible. that “famine is at humanity’s doorstop”, “We stand at what may be the most ironic moment in modern threatening to destroy lives and undo so history. On the one hand — after a century of massive strides much we hold dear. in eliminating extreme poverty, today those 270 million of our “Because of so many wars, climate change, the widespread neighbours are on the brink of starvation. That’s more than the use of hunger as a political and military weapon, and a entire population of Western Europe”, he said. global health pandemic that makes all of that exponentially “On the other hand, there is $400 trillion of wealth in our world worse —270 million people are marching toward starvation,” today. Even at the height of the COVID pandemic, in just 90 days, he said, speaking from the agency’s headquarters in Rome. an additional $2.7 trillion of wealth was created. And we only need He was officially accepting the Nobel Peace Prize awarded $5 billion to save 30 million lives from famine.” virtually to the UN agency in October. Life-or-death choices “Failure to address their needs will cause a hunger pandemic Beasley said many of his friends, as well as world leaders, often which will dwarf the impact of COVID. And if that’s not remark that he has the greatest job in the world, saving the lives bad enough, out of that 270 million (more than the entire of millions. However, he begged to differ: population of Western Europe), 30 million depend on us 100 “Well, here is what I tell them: ‘I don’t go to bed at night thinking per cent for their survival.” about the children we saved, I go to bed weeping over the children WFP was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize back in October we could not save. 2020 for its work providing lifesaving food assistance to And, when we don’t have enough money, nor the access we need, millions worldwide, often in dangerous locations. Last year, we have to decide which children eat and which children do not it supported nearly 100 million people. eat, which children live, which children die. How would you like Beasley underlined that food is “the pathway to peace.” For that job?’," he said, adding "Please don’t ask us to choose who lives the agency, it is also sacred, and their work is “an act of love”, and who dies.” 86 ISSUE 003 JANUARY - MARCH 2021 17 HAVE A STORY? Share it with the world through us ! ADVERTISE WITH US? 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