Modernising Africa's food basket to tame commodity price shocks

Fotso Ngassa, Founder and CEO of GAJO Livestock, recently sat down with CNBC Africa to shed light on the company's mission to forge global partnerships, uplift farmers' livelihoods, and introduce innovative solutions to Africa's food challenges amidst the backdrop of climate change, technological advancements, and financial constraints. Ngassa highlighted the essential role of livestock farming in addressing food security concerns across the continent and emphasized the need for support from both technical partners and financial institutions. The discussion also touched on the pivotal role of technology in enhancing agricultural practices, particularly in the face of climate unpredictability and market volatility. The conversation further delved into the funding hurdles faced by initiatives like GAJO Livestock and the importance of finding compassionate and visionary backers to sustain and scale up impactful projects. Ngassa candidly shared the challenges he and his team encountered following a natural disaster in Cameroon, underscoring the resilience and determination required to navigate setbacks and continue championing sustainable agriculture. Despite funding obstacles, Ngassa expressed optimism in the potential partnerships and opportunities arising from engagements such as the AGB annual meeting and the support extended by organizations like the African Development Bank. GAJO Livestock's innovative approach, showcased through its mobile app providing traceable livestock products, embodies a blend of tradition and technology aimed at revolutionizing the agricultural landscape in Africa and fostering resilience among farmers and communities.