Willy Gonçalves clicks his tongue to get the goats to run a little faster up the tall dirt hill in front of his farm. The goats are in search of grass to eat. Despite its name, Cabo Verde (translated literally to “Green Cape”) isn’t so green at this time of year. The brutal dry season turns the island of Santiago into even shades of light brown. It will only get
Villagers have planted maize on two plots of land next to each other. The difference between them is that one is cultivated using the method called ripping, or deep tillage, which uses pointed prongs to break up the soil, allowing it to retain maximum moisture. On the other plot, the regular practice of more extensive, shallower tilling is used. Amid a searing drought in eastern Zambia’s Nyimba region, which left
Across West Africa, rural women are showing that small-scale agriculture isn’t just the foundation of sustainable global food systems – it’s an avenue for economic, social and political empowerment. Meet three women who are leading their communities towards a more prosperous and equal future. Breaking ground When Anta was growing up, it was customary for young women to leave their homes in Ngoudiane to find domestic work in Dakar, the Senegalese capital. Anta
Africa’s culinary landscape is a rich tapestry of biodiversity and tradition, holding beneath its vibrant surface a treasure trove of forgotten foods. These regionally adapted crops, once central to the continent’s diverse cultures, are critical to revisit as the world tackles pressing challenges like food security, climate change and environmental sustainability. African agriculture holds a vast, untapped potential that can transform the continent’s socio-economic landscape. Rich with diverse climates and
Do you have an idea to scale up or scale out land restoration solutions? Share it with us! Are you working on innovative solutions that promote sustainable food systems and green wall actions? The Knowledge for Green Wall Action (K4GGWA) Innovation Facility is now accepting applications! Across the Sahel and the Great Green Wall region, powerful ideas like Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR), grazing management and land restoration have already changed lives. But
The National Coordination of Farmers’ Organizations of Burundi (CNOP-Burundi) has taken a significant step in restructuring and revitalizing its member agricultural cooperatives. With the support of IFAD, through the implementation of the FO4ACP project by PROPAC, CNOP-Burundi has successfully welcomed more than 103 active and dynamic agricultural cooperatives operating on the ground. This marks a first in the organization’s history. These cooperatives, some of which are exemplary agricultural cooperatives in
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
The International Day of the Potato 2024, May 30, is celebrated under the theme “Harvesting diversity, feeding hope,” bringing together innovation, resilience, and hope across Africa. YenKasa Africa celebrates this day by showcasing various potato stories, highlighting the continent’s diverse efforts to improve agriculture and food security. Potatoes are a key crop across diverse farming systems globally. As the third most consumed food crop globally, they contribute to the food
Forests cover over 30% of the Earth’s land surface and act as our planet’s lungs. They absorb harmful greenhouse gases, regulate climate, and provide vital resources for millions of people. On March 21st, we celebrate the International Day of Forests, as designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012. This year’s theme, “Forests and Innovation: New Solutions for a Better World,” underscores the urgent need for creative solutions to
There are no longer plenty of fish in the sea. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), more than 35 percent of the world’s assessed fish stocks are fished at unsustainable levels, versus just 10 percent in 1974. Warming oceans, acidification, and pollution are also taking an increasing toll. And with the livelihoods of some 600 million people worldwide dependent on fishing to some degree, and growing demand for marine protein to feed
