Uloma Mezie-Osuocha

Guide on Digital Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services: Empowering Smallholder Farmers through Smartphone Applications

Digital agricultural extension and advisory services (AEAS) offer tremendous opportunities to revolutionize how smallholder farmers access critical information and services. These digital tools can enhance accessibility, delivery, transparency, and the overall impact of agricultural guidance, leading to more efficient farming practices and improved livelihoods. However, the potential of digital AEAS is often underutilized, especially among smallholder farmers in rural areas, due to a widening digital divide and low levels of

Radio Programme: Best Production Practice for Garlic Farmers: How do smallholder Farmers use them?

In Tanzania, Habari Njema Radio 87.5 FM aired a program in Swahili titled “Best Production Practice for Garlic Farmers: How do Smallholder Farmers use them?” This insightful episode was a collaboration between the Tanzanian Producer organization, MVIWAMA and YenKasa Africa Radio Initiative. The program, which reached farmers across the Manyara region in Tanzania, focused on improving garlic farming practices among smallholder farmers. The discussion brought together the experiences of local

Radio Programme: Family farming, a source of employment for young people

In Madagascar, one sector stands as a beacon of hope for employment and stability—family farming. In collaboration with Radio Don Bosco and Radio Nationaly Malagasy, Réseau SOA (Syndicat des Organisations Agricoles) and Plateforme Nationale Femme, Développement Durable et Sécurité Alimentaire (PNFDDSA) have produced an insightful radio program, in Malagasy (a Madagascar local language), highlighting the crucial role of family farming in Madagascar. With over 400,000 young people entering the workforce

Young women and men in Somalia are embracing technology to promote peace

A short yet perilous seven-kilometre road connects the towns of Buufow and Shalanbood in southern Somalia. The once-prosperous agricultural area that produced fruits and vegetables for the region has experienced decades of conflict and destabilization. Just like most parts of the country, the region is severely affected by the ongoing drought. The two communities have had to cope with the increasing scarcity of natural resources from which to derive their

Creating opportunities for youth and women with digital agriculture

Agriculture, including fisheries and forestry, is facing many challenges that stem from a range of factors, including erratic weather patterns, changing demographics, turbulence in the global economy and conflicts. These factors exert unprecedented pressure on the world’s agrifood systems. Small-scale producers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly those in Small Islands Developing States (SIDS), are among the most vulnerable groups. Without sustainable agricultural production, many countries are unable to

Video: Farmers, the green soldiers of the nation

Farmers are the green soldiers of the nation, feeding the planet and safeguarding our environment.  Farmers, often referred to as the green soldiers of the nation, are the unsung heroes whose daily toil sustains the world. These dedicated men and women, with their calloused hands and unwavering commitment, ensure that we have food on our tables while also playing a pivotal role in protecting and nurturing the environment. The Pan-African

Radio program: Five trees for every child: Why  Morungatuny, a community in Uganda is planting trees for the next generation

As part of the YenKasa Africa initiative to showcase radio programs, we are thrilled to share this week’s feature from Farm Radio International’s project, On-Air Dialogues for Gender-inclusive Nature-based Solutions. This episode from the Nature Answers podcast delves into the vital topic “Why Morungatuny, a community in Uganda, is planting trees for the next generation.” Read the feature to discover valuable insights and expert advice, and then listen to Farm Radio International’s

Radio Programme: The importance of village banking for forest and farm producers

As part of the YenKasa Africa radio initiative, we are thrilled to share this week’s feature on “The Importance of Village Banking for Forest and Farm Producers.” Read on to discover valuable insights and expert advice, and then listen to the recorded programme on the YenKasa Africa website in Zambia’s local language, Nyanja. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your knowledge and empower your agricultural practices. Happy reading and listening!

World Farmers’ Organisation 2024 Annual Meeting, 17 - 21 June

From June 17 to 21, 2024, the World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO) hosted its Annual Meeting. This year, the event was held at the FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy, and was simultaneously livestreamed on the WFO YouTube page. The meeting annually gathers hundreds of family farmers, young and women farmer leaders, farmers’ organizations, and agricultural cooperatives from across the globe, as well as other relevant stakeholders such as government representatives, multilateral institutions,

VIDEO CONTEST 2024: Innovations for and by family farmers

Participate in the family farming contest and send in your videos. Your videos will compete for the opportunity to be presented at the Global Family Farming Forum in October 2024 in Rome, Italy. The videos should illustrate how family farmers can be supported by innovations. These innovations might combine old and new food system practices and organizational processes, using traditional and diverse forms of knowledge and connecting these with newly available information