Product bundling is receiving increasing attention in sustainable agricultural development as a means to ensure access to and enhance the uptake of, agricultural technologies by smallholders. Yet, the how and why of bundling for smallholders are not well-understood. The current paper, therefore, brings bundling theory from the marketing literature to...

In Sub-Saharan Africa, refugees are located in fragile arid areas. Despite many challenges, there are opportunities to shift from a ‘land degradation’ narrative to one based on ‘land restorationand resilience’, by enhancing the knowledge and skills of both refugee and host communities in a range of gender-responsive, regenerative and circular...

Agrobiodiversity is the subset of biodiversity found within agricultural ecosystems. It feeds us with nutrients vital to our health. It fuels and furnishes our homes. It underpins cultural traditions. It sustains farm productivity in the face of climate change. But agrobiodiversity is rapidly being lost.  Just three crops account for half...

Life has not been the same for Flora Godson from Oldonyowas village of Oldonyowas Ward in Arusha Tanzania since embracing the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) five years ago. Not only is her expansive farm putting food on the table, but more money in her pocket as she can now sell...

ISAN Magazine Issue 10 brings you stories about the benefits of biodiversity in agricultural systems, stories from Zimbabwe about how to enhance agrobiodivesity for improved food security and community-based climate change adaptation approaches, as well as profiling knowledge products on enhancing soil fertility developed by farmers in the Southern African...

This study examines the role of RCS in rural transformation and family farming in Africa and provides regional insights. Through case studies and a review of communication and ICT trends and policies, it makes the case for participatory, farmer-centred communication approaches and delivery mechanisms aligned with local socioeconomic realities. It...

This report summarizes the results and takeaways of online consultations and a virtual Regional Forum on RCS for Family Farming in Africa, organized by Yenkasa Africa, a regional communication initiative, in collaboration with FAO, farmers’ organizations, rural institutions and communication networks. 

In March 2023, Cyclone Freddy swept across Malawi, devastating a country already struggling with hunger and poverty. But a year on, hope for a brighter future is returning to its farms. On this episode, you'll hear directly from the rural Malawians who are building back stronger with IFAD's support. Our Country...

Twelve participants from Madagascar, including four newly recruited Entrepreneurs for Rural Access (ERAs) team members, took part in a 3-day programme designed to enhance their skills in providing agricultural extension and rural advisory services using digital tools. The programme was organised as part of the GIZ-funded Knowledge Centre for Organic...

The Entrepreneur for Rural Access (ERAs) in South Africa gathered together with Vinjeru Mlenga, Entrepreneur Coach for Southern Africa, on 29 February 2024 in Polokwane, Limpopo province, South Africa, to discuss strategies and plans for ERAs’ business growth relating to screening of farmer-training videos using the smart projector.

In the twentieth century, gardeners innocently spread the water hyacinth to Asia, Africa and elsewhere. Water hyacinth has striking blue flowers and was used to adorn ornamental fountains. But it escaped and was soon clogging lakes, ponds and municipal water supplies.

La sécurité alimentaire et nutritionnelle (SAN) est une problématique centrale dans les zones rurales des pays du Sud où vit la majorité des personnes sous-alimentées dans le monde. L’égalité des sexes et l’autonomisation des femmes font partie des objectifs de développement durable pour 2030, les femmes ayant été reconnues comme des...

The Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) today unveiled a comprehensive report critically examining the African Development Bank’s ambitious Dakar II initiative, part of the broader Feed Africa program. This initiative, titled ‘Feed Africa: Food Sovereignty and Resilience’, aims to revolutionize African agriculture with a focus on turning the...

Ce numéro de Regards sur le foncier a été produit dans le cadre de l’École-chercheurs sur les transactions foncières et les marchés fonciers au Sénégal et en Afrique de l’Ouest, proposée et organisée par IPAR, le pôle foncier de Montpellier et l’UGB à destination de chercheurs, enseignants-chercheurs, doctorants et membres d’OSC. Bien...

Banana plants have superficial roots. Proper spacing, planting, and mulching will yield better and more fruit. You can also intercrop your banana and plantain plants with food crops, medicinal plants and other trees to provide additional sources of income and create a suitable micro-environment.

Five years after the catastrophic Cyclone Idai hit Chimanimani District in Zimbabwe, claiming over 500 lives and causing extensive destruction, the community's journey towards recovery and resilience offers a beacon of hope. This article by John Willson delves into the heart of Chimanimani's efforts, showcasing how the district is confronting...

The African Union is in the process of finalizing a draft protocol on intellectual property rights under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), sparking concerns among civil society organizations about the potential impacts on seed systems and the rights of smallholder farmers. While the AfCFTA, enacted in May 2019,...

FAO developed this manual, in collaboration with Solidaridad West Africa, to support trainers in preparing and delivering the training on empowering rural women to engage in responsible agricultural investments (RAI). The design of this training programme is based upon a specific methodology that meets the learning needs of rural women...

Laure Tall, directrice de recherche à l’Initiative prospective agricole rurale (IPAR), a suggéré, mercredi, à Dakar, la mise en place de politiques intégrées et systémiques pour relever les multiples défis liés au développement de l’agroécologie au Sénégal et en Afrique.  

Quels sont les systèmes de gestion et les pratiques de sélection des dromadaires dans la région de Gao au Mali ? Quelle est la typologie des élevages camelins dans cette région, avec un accent sur la diversité des pratiques de gestion des ressources animales camélines ? La thèse présentée par Bakary...