cGrate Zambia and FISP partner to boost digital inclusion in Zambia's agriculture

Tailoring the packaging of any product is essential to ensure it fits the social and cultural context of the communities it serves. Cultural beliefs, in particular, play a significant role when introducing innovations in rural areas. Last week, I learned something fascinating about people in Zambia’s Eastern Province: apparently, people there believe that if a pregnant woman is pricked by the thorn of a musangu tree (a tree now being promoted in agroforestry) she may miscarry. Insights like these remind us that successful interventions go beyond technical design; they require sensitivity to local knowledge and traditions. I often joke that when I visit my grandmother in the village, she’s far more likely to give me maize, groundnuts, and vegetables (a whole care package really) than to hand me K50. This speaks volumes about rural value systems and exchange preferences. It’s against this backdrop that, at ZEP-RE (PTA Reinsurance Company), we have intentionally sought to understand the end-user reality. Through select aggregator partners, we are piloting the use of grain as a mode of premium payment for insurance. This grain-for-premium initiative, co-funded by DEG Impulse, is designed to ease the affordability burden for farmers while promoting inclusion. We are learning a great deal from this pilot and look forward to sharing periodic insights on how such locally rooted models can scale to benefit smallholder farmers across Zambia and, eventually, the wider COMESA region. #ClimateRiskInsurance #Afforability #InnovativePaymentMethods

We are proud to introduce Agro-Sustainability and Education Innovations (ASEI) — a purpose-driven NGO committed to reshaping the future of food and agriculture in Nigeria, starting from Ogun State and expanding across the Southwest region. At ASEI, our mission aligns strongly with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) —particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption & Production). We're tackling urgent challenges such as: - Food insecurity - Rural poverty - Climate change impacts - High unemployment - Food wastage - Malnutrition - Market inefficiencies - Gender inequality - Rural-urban migration Our holistic approach focuses on: ✅ Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) education ✅ Agro-diversification and sustainable food production ✅ Conversion of agricultural waste to animal protein ✅ Rural food processing to reduce post-harvest losses ✅ Youth and farmer education on value-chain development and agribusiness ✅ Empowering communities through inclusive market and employment strategies We believe that a food-secure Nigeria is possible—with the right strategies, innovation, and collaboration. By investing in our land, educating our people, and nurturing sustainable systems, we can ensure that future generations not only survive but thrive. We’re starting in Ogun State—and the journey is just beginning. Let’s build a resilient and food-secure future, together. #SDGs #ZeroHunger #ClimateSmartAgriculture #AgroInnovation #FoodSecurity #Sustainability #YouthEmpowerment #ASEI #NigeriaAgTech #RuralDevelopment #AgroEducation #GreenFuture

As I travel across Africa, I am constantly reminded of the vast potential that lies within our agricultural sector. From the sun-kissed fields of maize in Zambia to the lush vegetable gardens of Nigeria, it is clear that our continent is blessed with an abundance of natural resources. However, despite this potential, many small-scale farmers continue to face significant challenges in terms of accessing markets, financing, and technology. As the founder of Abuti Spinach, I believe that it is our responsibility to empower these farmers with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to succeed. So, I want to ask: what role can we play in supporting small-scale farmers, and how can we work together to create a more sustainable and equitable food system in Africa? 🌾💡🌱 #abutispinach #Agvocate #AgroDiplomacy

🍅 Local agribusiness hubs are springing up in Nigeria, Rwanda, and Uganda 🇺🇬, linking farmers directly to urban markets. Fewer middlemen, fairer prices, fresher food.

Nigeria and the Global Food Chain: Empowering Youths, Women & Persons with Disabilities for a Food-Secure Future 🌾🇳🇬 As the world marks World Food Day 2025, it’s important we reflect on Nigeria’s position in the global food web a nation richly blessed with arable land, diverse climates, and resilient people, yet still grappling with food insecurity and over-dependence on imports. The truth is simple: Nigeria has the potential to feed itself and contribute significantly to global food supply but this will only happen when we intentionally empower our youths, women, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) to become active participants in the agricultural value chain. Agriculture is no longer just about tilling the soil it’s about innovation, inclusion, and sustainability. When properly mentored, sensitized, and empowered, our young people can drive the adoption of organic and climate-smart practices, women can lead processing and agribusiness ventures, and PWDs can prove that ability transcends physical limitation when given the right support and tools. With structured mentorship, access to land, improved financing, and consistent policy support, Nigeria can double its food production within five years. We can feed ourselves, export surplus, and strengthen our GDP all while protecting our environment and promoting safe, organic food systems. This World Food Day, let’s remember: 🌱 Inclusion is not charity: it’s strategy. 🧑🏽🌾 Empowerment is not a favor: it’s a pathway to national sustainability. 🍽️ Food security begins with empowering people to produce, not just to consume. Together, we can make agriculture Nigeria’s new oil well. 💪🏾🇳🇬 #WorldFoodDay #Nigeria #OrganicAgriculture #FoodSecurity #YouthEmpowerment #WomenInAgriculture #PWDInclusion #SustainableFarming #ClimateSmartAgriculture #AgricultureIsTheFuture #FarmToFork #AgroInclusion #MentorshipInAgriculture #SoilToWealth PC: Green Agrimall

🇳🇬 Strengthening Nigeria’s Food Security and Agricultural Independence At the Nigeria House of Commons, I joined my Honourable colleague, Hon. Abdullah, in supporting a motion for the ban on the importation of homegrown food commodities in Nigeria. This motion reflects our collective commitment to strengthening local agriculture, empowering farmers, and promoting food self-sufficiency. As a nation blessed with vast arable land and industrious farmers, we must take bold steps to grow what we eat and eat what we grow. However, I also raised a crucial concern — that the challenge is not only about production but also about distribution and preservation. Many farmers across rural communities suffer heavy post-harvest losses due to: 🚜 Poor road infrastructure that limits transportation of goods from rural areas to urban markets. 🏗️ Lack of efficient food storage and processing facilities. ⚙️ Absence of Food Tech Hubs where farm produce can be preserved during harvest seasons for use during periods of scarcity. In that regard, I sincerely commend the Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, for his visionary initiative in establishing a Food Tech Hub at Ketu, Lagos — which is set to be the largest in Sub-Saharan Africa. This project stands as a model of progressive governance — combining innovation, sustainability, and agricultural advancement. I therefore urge other State Governors, especially those from the Northern region — a region richly blessed and known for agriculture — to emulate this initiative. Establishing similar Food Tech Hubs will drastically reduce food wastage, increase farmers’ income, and strengthen food security across Nigeria. Together, let us build a nation that values its farmers, supports its producers, and feeds itself with pride. 🇳🇬 My Name is, Rtr. Amb. Adeolu Timothy Olanrewaju Larry-jay Honourable Representing Lagos State at the Nigeria House of Commons A Surveyor by Profession, Former Student Union President, Peace, Gender and Youth Advocate, Politician and Youth Mobilizer. C.E.O Kingslarry Multi Purpose Nig. Ltd. #NigeriaHouseOfCommons #AgriculturalDevelopment #FoodSecurity #SupportLocalFarmers #MadeInNigeria #GovSanwoOlu #FoodTechHub #GrowNigeria

𝐀𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐮𝐦 2025, 𝐠𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐮𝐧𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐬: Liberia’s $900M Legacy Investment to boost rice, maize, and cassava; Uganda’s $1.4B blueprint to scale climate-resilient farming; Nigeria’s ban on raw shea exports to capture more value locally; and Zimbabwe’s new incentives to de-risk agribusiness. Together, these initiatives signal a shift: African nations are mobilizing capital, policy, and innovation to cut import dependence, create jobs, and turn agriculture into a driver of resilience and prosperity. Read full feature by Michelle Nambiro, MPRSK: https://lnkd.in/dsdhspmp #FoodSystems #ClimateResilience #Africa #Sustainability #Agribusiness #Investment AFS Forum, AGRA, AGRA_Value4Her

Africa is mobilizing capital, shaping policy and unlocking innovation to reduce import dependence, empower farmers, and create sustainable jobs. I was honored to reflect on these commitments and what they mean for the continent’s food security and climate resilience in my recent op-ed- https://lnkd.in/dsdhspmp

#ICYMI Equity Bank Limited and the Ministry of Agriculture have launched Uganda’s National Oil Palm Project in Mayuge District to empower farmers, create jobs, and drive Busoga’s economic transformation. Over 896 farmers have already benefited through training, seedlings, and Shs1.2 billion in funding. Read the Full Story here https://lnkd.in/dgdzMj_i

𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 | 𝗪𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 | 𝗔𝗕𝗦𝗔| 𝗙𝗜 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 Financial Insight Zambia featured an exclusive conversation between Mr. Mwelwa Kenneth Chibesakunda MBA , CEO Financial Insight, and Mr. Huang Yaochi, Executive Chairman and Group CEO of Wonderful Group Zambia. During the discussion, Mr. Huang highlighted the growth journey of the Wonderful Group a diversified conglomerate established in 2011, following the founding of its first business, Wonderful Industry, in 2010. The group now encompasses five subsidiaries, including Wonderful Industry, Polaris Machinery, Unitech Capital, Filter Maca Bullets House, and Mobiculture Zambia. Mr. Huang explained that the group’s business operations span manufacturing, construction, agriculture, and exports, with a strong footprint across Southern Africa. Notably, Wonderful Industry is one of the region’s largest packaging producers, supplying both local and international markets with 50% of its products exported to neighboring countries such as Zimbabwe, Malawi, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and the DRC. The group’s commitment to export-driven growth is evident across its subsidiaries, with Marc Bola Tiles exporting 60% of its products and Mobiculture operating entirely for international markets. Through this diversification and regional integration, Wonderful Group Zambia continues to play a pivotal role in advancing Zambia’s manufacturing and industrial landscape. #FinancialInsight  #WonderfulGroup  #Manufacturing  #Agriculture  #MediaMachine  #Financialinsight  #Get2Know