Uloma Mezie-Osuocha

International Women’s Day 2025- For all women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment
Communication and ICTs

On March 8, the world celebrates International Women’s Day (IWD). This year, the celebration is under the theme “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment”, focusing on unlocking equal rights, power and opportunities for all. Central to this vision is empowering the next generation of youth, particularly young women and adolescent girls as catalysts for lasting change. Progress in Women’s Rights in Agriculture and Rural Development In recent years,

Agricultural Transformation and Resilience: Assessment of the FO4ACP Project in Chad
Producers' Organizations

Launched in October 2019, the FO4ACP project in Central Africa, initiated by PROPAC and its member NPOs, has shown significant progress during its second phase, which began in 2023. The first phase, lasting four years, had revealed financial shortfalls; however, the IFAD supervision mission in October 2023 highlighted crucial improvements. The 2024 PTBA launch workshop in Douala identified strategies for optimizing performance , such as implementing the TOP UP phase , improving technical reports and capitalizing on experiences . The PROPAC Regional Coordination undertook field visits to monitor, support and evaluate the progress of the OPNs in implementing

FAO-PAFO youth mentorship programme: Call for mentors
Gender and youth

Empowerment of Young Agricultural Producers in Africa through inclusive mentorship Program (EYPA) The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Pan-African Farmers’ Organization (PAFO) invite experienced agriculture, agribusiness, leadership, and rural development professionals to join the FAO-PAFO Youth Mentorship Program. This program will equip young African agricultural producers with skills, knowledge, and connections to thrive in agri-food. Mentors will provide capacity-building workshops, guidance, and networking opportunities to 50 selected young farmers

Farmer-Led Climate Adaptation in Africa: Top Practices
Resilience and climate change

During the Food, Agriculture, and Water Day at COP29, the Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF) and the Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA), with the support of the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance and the Pan African Farmers Organization (PAFO), released a report presenting ten case studies on climate-smart agriculture (CSA) initiatives led by farmers across Africa. The case studies featured in the report were selected from various regions across Africa, representing nine different countries (with two studies selected

Harvesting Hope: Empowering Women Farmers for Higher Healthy Food Production in Northern Ghana
Gender and youth

In Ghana, access to key agricultural productive assets, such as seeds, fertilizers, water and land, is critical to agricultural productivity and food security, especially for women and youth. This disparity is particularly pronounced in some parts of Ghana, where traditional norms and cultural practices often restrict women’s access to agricultural inputs and tools, relegating them to secondary roles in agriculture despite their significant contributions to food production and household nutrition.

Listening to change: FAO-supported rural radio initiatives boost climate action
Communication and ICTs

WATCH: Rural radio: Listening to change (WRD 2025) LISTEN: 80 ans de la FAO / Les radios rurales: des ondes qui rapprochent les communauté (in French) As the world marks World Radio Day 2025 on 13 February under the theme Radio and Climate Change, it is worth reflecting on the fundamental role of radio in rural communication. Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time, disrupting food systems, natural resources, livelihoods

The Digital Agri Hub-Cultivating Tomorrow’s Agriculture : The Ultimate Digital Solutions Reference Hub
Communication and ICTs

The Digital Agri Hub is a good public initiative developed and maintained by Wageningen University and Research (WUR). The Hub tracks the evolution of the digital agriculture (D4Ag) ecosystem in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In collaboration with sectoral stakeholders, the Hub regularly publishes new insights and updates on important developments in the domain of digital agriculture. At the core of the Hub rests a database with a queryable dashboard currently featuring more than 1250 digital solutions deployed across LMICs. The site is available in English, French and Spanish. The

Facing down drought in Zimbabwe with irrigation
Resilience and climate change

This year, the rains were late in Zimbabwe. Because of El Niño, many maize farmers were left without the water they needed during the crucial growing season in February. The next rainy season, from October to December, is also likely to be drier than usual. With crop failures anticipated across the country, about 6 million people are expected to be food insecure. This is not the first time El Niño has brought food

African Youth Participate in Formation Sessions in South Africa, Ethiopia, and Mauritius
Gender and youth

Between October and December 2024, African youth participated in various training (formation) sessions focused on global contextual analysis, political debates, social movement building, food sovereignty, and youth participation. These events, held in South Africa, Ethiopia, and Mauritius, fostered exchanges and connections to enhance and strengthen youth-driven actions for 2025 and beyond. Nkrumah School – Training of Trainers in Political Education, South Africa The first gathering occurred from September 20th to

Large-scale investment in Farmer Field Schools in Kenya helps expand farmers’ knowledge and increase their incomes
Gender and youth

For a few months now, Esther Munani Kyalo’s routine has changed. A mother of three living in the Miambani ward in Kitui county, Kenya, she has followed a new ritual every Tuesday since the Kavakaky Farmer Field School was launched. Together with around 35 other women from her area, she walks to a nearby house where the group meets and breeds chicks in the small but brand-new poultry house. Sitting