Empowering smallholder farmers with climate-smart solutions

Africa's agricultural sector has seen remarkable growth in recent years, with new strategies revolutionizing the way smallholder farmers navigate modern challenges, including technology integration. One initiative at the forefront of this transformation is the South South Agricultural Alliance (SSAGA), which is empowering over 5,000 small-scale farmers with climate-smart techniques and financial resources. With the ambitious aim of boosting yields by 30% and enhancing market access, the SSAGA Initiative is reshaping the landscape of small-scale agriculture across Africa. CNBC Africa's Sandrine Umutoniwase engaged in a conversation with Moses Osia Mwanje, the Business Development and Partnership Lead of Cereal Growers Association Ltd, to delve deeper into this impactful initiative. Mwanje shed light on innovative approaches adopted by the SSAGA initiative to empower smallholder farmers. One such strategy is the concept of sustainable production villages, where groups of farmers serve as ambassadors for climate-smart agricultural practices. These villages provide a platform for the dissemination of new technologies and best practices, enabling farmers to experiment with crop cultivars, hybrid varieties, and conservation agriculture techniques. By equipping farmers with knowledge and tools to enhance productivity, these sustainable production villages are driving significant improvements in agricultural outcomes. Additionally, Mwanje highlighted the farmer service model, which connects small-scale farmers with essential agricultural inputs and services. Through this model, designated farmer service centers facilitate access to seeds, fertilizers, agrochemicals, and post-harvest management solutions for hundreds of farmers. By aggregating produce and facilitating market connections, these centers ensure that farmers receive fair prices for their goods, mitigating post-harvest losses and enhancing financial stability for the farming community. The conversation also delved into the critical aspect of financial access for smallholder farmers. Mwanje underscored the importance of unbundling finances and channeling funding towards tangible inputs and resources that directly benefit farmers. By leveraging the farmer service center model, farmers can secure inputs and equipment needed for agricultural production, repaying the borrowed resources with a portion of their harvest. This innovative approach not only addresses the challenge of financial constraints but also fosters sustainable farming practices and economic empowerment within the farming community. Moreover, Mwanje emphasized the significance of public-private partnerships in driving agricultural development. He noted the pivotal role of government policies in creating an enabling environment for private sector participation in agriculture. By facilitating end-to-end support for agri-food systems, including mechanization, production, warehousing, financial access, and technology adoption, governments can empower smallholder farmers to navigate climate change, access markets, and enhance their overall productivity. In conclusion, Mwanje underscored the importance of collaborative efforts between governments, private sector players, and research institutions to propel Africa's agricultural sector forward. By aligning policies with the needs of smallholder farmers and leveraging public-private partnerships, African countries can foster sustainable growth, improve food security, and empower rural communities. The SSAGA Initiative stands as a beacon of hope for smallholder farmers, offering a blueprint for inclusive and sustainable agricultural development in the region.