See also: Personality of the Week – Peter Awin

Cynthia Mosunmola Umoru oversees the development and operations of a 7000-hectare agribusiness engaged in farming, food production, processing and distribution of a wide range of produce. She is an Ashoka Fellow and Goldman Sachs 10,000 women Scholar. She also served as an ambassador, advocate, and consultant to the Youth Division of African Union Commission.
Honeysuckles produce high-quality products from its farms and ponds.

Cynthia trains and mentors young Nigerian youths that want to venture into agricultural food production through her ABIRA Agricultural Support Initiative. She is also engaging schools, governments, and businesses to recognize the absence of infrastructure to participate in modern agriculture, especially for the youth. Cynthia was recently selected by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader.

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Water harvesting techniques are ways by which water resources can be made available throughout the farming season. The essence of these techniques is to increase recharge ground water, reduce peak runoff, reduce the risk of flood, and increase available water for irrigation purposes. In this piece, various techniques of water harvesting such as channel reservoir, on-farm reservoir, infiltration ditches, infiltration well, underground dams, etc. will be explained in details.

Channel Reservoir

Photo Credit: mavensphotoblog.com

Channel reservoir is a harvesting technique used to store water in the stream channel to increase irrigation during dry seasons. This can reduce the flow of water from upstream to downstream areas which in return, reduce the occurrence of flooding.

On-farm Reservoir

Photo Credit: agric.wa.gov.au

This water reservoir can be set up in farmlands for collection of water during the wet season for irrigation use in dry seasons. Benefits of this method includes runoff and rainfall harvesting, water storage and farmland irrigation.

Infiltration Ditch

Photo Credit: recycledh2o.net

This is a technique used to store and restore water to support irrigation farming. It can be used to collect surface runoff and contribute to recharge groundwater. Conservation of groundwater is important because it takes years to be replenished, hence, the need for infiltration ditches.

Groundwater Dams

Dam is a water harvesting technique for storing large volumes of water and can be used for hydroelectric power generation. Groundwater dams are structured to obstruct the natural flow and channel it to an underground storage. This technique can be used in areas where groundwater flow varies from high to low during dry seasons. The main advantage is the storage of water underground for lower risk of contamination and evaporation

Infiltration Well/ Ground Water Recharging

Lowering groundwater table leads to dry shallow aquifer. It is crucial to recover this lowering groundwater table by increasing recharge distribution rate by artificial methods.  An artificial pit can be dug and filled with sand and pebbles in areas with soil permeability. The wells are constructed using between 2 ft to 6 ft tall cement rings left unfilled and covered with slabs. Rainwater from the surrounding are diverted to the well using PVC pipes through a filter chamber.

Ferrocement Tank

Photo Credit: wikihow.com

A ferrocement tank is created using cement and a structure made of steel bars and iron mesh wires. Rainwater from rooftop is collected through pipes for storage in these tanks. These method is prevalent in African homes for domestic use. Water purification filters can be installed to clean the rainwater for cooking, flushing and other household activities. This can also be used in farmlands for irrigation during dry seasons.

Because of the different seasons for planting and harvesting, it is important to store water for scarcity during the dry season.  Crops need water to flourish and shortage of water can result in quantity and quality reduction of farm produce. Farmers can use any of these water harvesting methods to store water for irrigation during scarcity.

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We have seen many African techpreneurs tapping into different sectors in agritech, however, the peak of technology farming is yet to get the necessary attention it deserves.

To make use of the most promising innovations, technologies like vertical farming, indoor greenhouses, and controlled environment farming need to be launched in African to help meet and overcome our current challenge in food security.

Vertical farms use high tech lighting and climate-controlled buildings to grow crops indoors while using less water and soil. The modern ideas of vertical farming use indoor techniques and controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) technology, where all environmental factors can be controlled.

CEA is a technology-based approach toward food production and it is to provide protection and maintain optimal growing conditions throughout the development of the crop. Production takes place within an enclosed growing structure such as a greenhouse or building.

Since it’s a closed growing system with controlled evaporation from plants, these farms use 95% less water than traditional farms.

Over time, there has been an increase in the number of vertical farming enterprises in the world, especially in North America and Asia. In the US, Chicago is home to several vertical farms, while New Jersey is home to AeroFarms, which is also the world’s largest vertical farm. Other countries such as Japan, Singapore, Italy and Brazil have also witnessed a rise in their vertical farms.

In fact, Netherlands is on the verge of completing its first large-scale commercial vertical indoor farm which is expected to serve Europe’s largest supermarket chains with high quality, pesticide-free fresh-cut lettuce. As the trend continues, vertical farming is expected to be valued at US$5.80 billion by the year 2022.

With the precedent that has been set, it is quite obvious that Africa has unique opportunities for vertical farms and Controlled Environment Agriculture.

The beautiful part of it is that most vertical farms do not need soil because they use aeroponics or hydroponic systems which dispenses nutrients needed for plants to grow via mist or water. This technique is ideal for meeting the challenges of urbanisation and the rising demand by consumers for high-quality, pesticide-free food in Africa.

South Africa has taken various initiatives to spur innovation in its agriculture sector. Also, other Sub-Saharan African cities in Nigeria and Kenya, South African metropolises are joining the footsteps of many global cities to introduce sustainable urban indoor farming. But much more needs to be done.

Although, we can’t turn away our eyes from the effort that has been made to launch Vertical Farming, and CEA  across Africa, so much more needs to be done.

With the population expected to rise in most African cities, this is the right time to start investing in innovative urban agriculture practices.

Why Vertical Farming Need to be Adopted in Africa

1. Land can be conserved

The great thing about vertical farming is that it takes up less space. In fact, these farms are currently being run inside buildings in cities. With irrigable land fast running out in some major cities across as urbanisation speeds up, being able to grow entire crops in an enclosed could help stave off future food shortages.

2. The quantity of Chemical Needed is reduced

Since plants are not subjected to insects and severe weather patterns, crops are less exposed to pesticides, fungicides and insecticides.

3. A stable food source

With the absence of floods, rain and drought in vertical farming, healthy crops are almost guaranteed all year-round, eliminating the possibility of shortages. Season-specific produce such as citrus, berries and avocados can also be grown throughout the year regardless of weather conditions.

4. It’s quick

Aeroponic farming has enabled growers to harvest and propagate tomatoes within 10 days. Normal farming methods would take between 6 to 8 weeks to produce a full-grown plant.

5. We can use it in space

Since the plants don’t require any sunlight or soil, Agric produce can grow in space. Scientists have already started testing aeroponics on various seeds to determine the best way to grow produce in outer space.

6.  It’s cost-effective

Although to purchase a sizeable building to farm in, the overall infrastructure and equipment needed is quite expensive, however, in the long-run, vertical farms cost far less to maintain than full-fledged conventional set-ups.

7. The products are more nutritious

In some cases, vertical farmers add more nutrients to the water or mist being sprayed on the plants. The plants absorb these nutrients, making them richer in vitamins and minerals than many mass-produced crops.

8. The great avenue to create more jobs

Since these plants need to be maintained by many hands, more workers may be needed.

Having highlighted why vertical farming should be focused on in Africa, techpreneurs, innovators and entrepreneurs should start thinking of how to specialise in growing Agric produce vertically to meet the rising demand for food in Africa.

If vertical farming can be adopted fully in Africa, the pressure that a growing population brings will be relieved.

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drones-pro.com

Tunisia is preparing to launch a project aimed at using drones in agriculture on Thursday 26th of July 2018 at a ceremony in Tunis. The project is targeted at introducing the usage of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in the Sidi Bouzid region.

The key areas that the pilot will focus on is how drones can be used in the preparation, supervision and evaluation processes. It is anticipated that the introduction of drones in agriculture will enable or speed up the execution of certain activities.
“The introduction of drones in project management will enable data collection, including monitoring of agricultural production, biodiversity, effects of climate change and management of natural resources.”

According to the press release, “more than 30 young Tunisians will benefit from the training course”. This will be “through technology transfer related to the use and maintenance of drones.”

Above all, the African Development Bank is looking at an increase in efficiency and effectiveness in operations.

Also See: Preserving Africa’s Agricultural Revolution With Innovation

“These [drone] technologies will streamline business processes related to the management of development project cycle, in order to promote more efficiency and effectiveness,” noted the AfDB.

This undertaking is going to be financed by a loan from KOAFEC and the fundings will be administered by the African Development Bank.

More support will come from the Busan Techno Park [in Korean]. It will “share their experience and know-how with Tunisia.”
“Busan Techno Park, an agency affiliated with the Busan Metropolitan City, has had proven experience in the development and use of drones for data collection and processing,” the press release read.

The Busan Techno Park was launched in 1999 with the aim of “building a foundation for local technology innovation based on industrial-academic cooperation.”

Officials from the Tunisian government, South Korea, and AfDB will grace the event.

“The Launching Ceremony will be attended by Tunisia’s Minister of Development and International Cooperation and Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources, and Fisheries,” the press release also read.

“The Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, Vice Mayor of Busan Metropolitan City, and the Director General of the Regional Office of the African Development Bank for North Africa will also participate in the event.”

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Photo Credit: spore.cta.int

Technical solutions to food tracking, traceability and distribution are enabling agribusinesses along the value chain to better manage and expand their operations. Such innovations also help farmers and farmer organisations to establish and strengthen links with buyers.

Around the world, new technologies are helping to maximise efficiency in the distribution of fresh produce from farms to markets. Farmforce – one such innovation that’s having a global impact – is a cloud-based mobile and web platform, which supports the professional relationship between smallholder farmers and buyers, enabling increased transparency along the value chain through the collation of detailed farm data. Food companies across 25 different countries in Africa, Asia, Central and South America use the platform to coordinate the activities of over 250,000 farmers and ensure food meets safety and sustainability standards.

In Haiti, Acceso Peanut Enterprise Corporation, an agribusiness built by the Clinton Giustra Enterprise Partnership in 2014, uses Farmforce to help oversee their rural operations. Acceso collects groundnuts from more than 3,000 Haitian farmers at depots located near farming communities, tests the nuts to ensure they do not exceed aflatoxin limits and sells them on to large buyers. The company not only provides a ready market for its network of smallholders at a fair price, but also offers the farmers training in good agricultural practices and inputs on credit, to improve their groundnut yields and quality.

Since its launch, Farmforce has enabled Acceso to manage its daily operations and keep comprehensive records of farm data, training attendance, yield forecasts, loan repayments and harvest purchases. Access to this data from the last 4 years has allowed Acceso to assess the impact of its operations and gain a better understanding of which strategies are the most effective for sustainably delivering higher quantity and quality groundnut yields. “Farmforce’s ability to log geo-references for farmer registration, field visits, and survey responses gives me the ability to see where my team is and what work they are doing in real-time,” explains Patrick Dann Dorzin, deputy operations manager at Acceso. With Farmforce’s help, Acceso has tested and sold 800 t of groundnuts since its launch and has begun to expand its portfolio to include other crops such as lime, mango, moringa, sorghum, sisal and castor.

Enhancing aggregation

The efficient distribution of fresh produce is not entirely reliant on technology; aggregation centres and collection points play a key role in ensuring food supplied by smallholder producers makes it to the market in the safe, fresh and high-quality condition required by buyers. Through its FoodTrade programme, the NGO Farm Africa has focused its support on farmers’ organisations, village aggregation centres (VACs) and satellite collection points in Tanzania and Uganda. The NGO builds the business and governance capacities of these farmers’ organisations and VACs to help them establish long-term links with buyers and sustainably grow their business.

Using digital market information systems, Farm Africa has also enabled farmers’ organisations and VACs to monitor market prices, which ensure the aggregators have leverage to negotiate a fair and competitive price for produce. Improved aggregation and access to market information, has helped supported organisations and VACs sell 104,700 t of aggregated produce and gain higher prices than the value most farmers would previously have received at local markets. At the farmer-level, Farm Africa has worked to advocate the benefits of aggregation to farmers and, in just over 2 years, 72,800 farmers have started aggregating their produce.

Run like clockwork

Kenyan start-up, Selina Wamucii, allows buyers to source, aggregate, and redistribute fresh produce from African smallholders to markets (domestic and export) through its mobile platform. To join the platform, farmers simply text Selina Wamucii a code and, with the data, the company is able to map a farmer’s location, their produce and the volume harvested. Working with over 3,000 farmers, the company organises them into small groups according to crop variety and coordinated by produce agents. At harvest, the crop volume produced is recorded on the platform and farmers are immediately paid via their mobiles; a traceability code is also generated so that the produce can be tracked from its origins to the market.

Selina Wamucii then grades, packages, distributes and markets the produce under 10 different brands, including Mount Kenya Fresh Avocados, Kenya Herbs & Spices and Essential Oils of Africa. “We’re tapping into the power of mobile phones to transform the value chain while passing the benefits of an efficient chain on to the farmers and produce buyers,” explains Kariuki Gaita, co-founder of Selina Wamucii. The company’s success is evidence that with the right technologies and relevant capacities in place, food produced by smallholder farmers across the world can meet the demands of international markets.

Credit: CTA Spore

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Image Credit: arabianbusiness.com

Badia Farms, GCC’s first commercial vertical indoor farm, is now the first local brand to have its products distributed by Classic Fine Foods in the GCC region.

The farms which was officially launched in March by UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi grows an extensive range of post-organic micro-greens and baby leaf herb varieties in a controlled indoor environment, using hydroponic technology.

The partnership will extend the farm’s reach to restaurants and food industry trade across the UAE, a statement said.

As the farm’s distributor, Classic Fine Foods will be the logistical partner, delivering its products to chefs across the UAE, the statement added.

Omar Al Jundi, founder and CEO at Badia Farms said: “Classic Fine Foods is a company that shares our values for quality food, grown using the most sustainable and eco-friendly practices. We have received incredible feedback from chefs so far, who are extremely passionate about our products and our methods – that can’t be matched with imported produce.

“We have started a new wave of farming technology in the region, with a vision to shape the future of how we grow our food. We are delighted that through this partnership we are able to deliver our leafy greens to more chefs’ tables across the UAE.”

The farm began production in December with ambitious plans to pioneer the region’s “green revolution” with innovative agri-tech methods.

The farm produces pesticide-free leafy greens without the need for sunlight, soil or chemicals.

The eco-system created by Badia Farms uses 90 percent less water than open field farming and recycles the water it uses. The farm also combats the carbon footprint of food imports that typically travel an average of 3,000 miles to reach restaurants in Dubai.

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The soybean or soya bean is a species of legume native to East Asia, widely grown for its edible bean which has numerous uses.

Fat-free soybean meal is a significant and cheap source of protein for animal feeds and many packaged meals.

Specialists have described soybean as a standout amongst the most legumes on the planet, because of its fundamental supplements that keep up and enhances human wellbeing.

According to Mr. Monjanrin Sunday, RSM (Edible South West), Grand Cereals, Soya bean also contains vitamins like; vitamin c, vitamin k, riboflavin, folate, vitamin B6 and thiamin. Potassium, calcium, copper, phosphorous, manganese, selenium and zinc, which are some of the other minerals that can be derived from it.

“Regular intake of soya beans helps in the prevention of cancer due to its high level of antioxidants. Its protein content makes it a choice meal that spreads around various markets across Nigeria.

Also See: Father Godfrey Nzamujo – The Man Behind Songhai Centre

“Its high vitamin and mineral content ensures healthy bones even during old age. Another benefit of soya beans is its effectiveness in aiding the functioning of the heart by lowering the total cholesterol level in the body thus preventing heart attack or stroke. With its fibre content, soya beans also help in boosting digestion and aids metabolism. Soya bean seed can be used in making different foods; including soy milk, textured vegetable protein and soya bean oil,” he said.

Sunday, said since oil is a staple ingredient for the preparation of meals, it is advisable to cook with oil made from soya bean for the prevention of heart disease and for low cholesterol intake.

The beans contain significant amounts of phytic acid, dietary minerals and B vitamins. Soy vegetable oil, used in food and industrial applications, is another product of processing the soybean crop. Traditional non-fermented food uses of soybeans include soy milk from which tofu and tofu skin are made. Fermented soy foods include soy sauce, fermented bean paste, natto and tempeh.

The main countries growing soybeans are the United States (32% of world total, 2016 forecast), Brazil (31%) and Argentina (18%).

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Photo Credit: Thisdaylive.com

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has announced a US$1m project to open financial services to the East Africa’s youths involved in the agriculture sector.

As indicated by IFAD, the project is in accordance with the organisation’s ambitious expect to extend financial inclusion to East Africa and to end poverty, hunger and food insecurity in Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda.

The venture apparently benefits around 10,000 young farmers living in rural areas in the countries, said IFAD.

Elizabeth Ssendiwala, gender and youth coordinator at IFAD for East and Southern Africa, said that the focal point of the project is to open the capability of rural youth to accomplish a sustainable growth.

As around 70 per cent of youth living in the rural parts in the region, the project is required to help them taking up agricultural for the general improvement in the sector.

Elizabeth Nsimadala, president of the Eastern African Farmers Federation (EAFF), stated that the new initiative is set to provide opportunities to the youth to drive new agriculture and agribusiness agenda.

Susan Koech, principal secretary for the East African Community (EAC), said that the agriculture sector in the East African region can create millions of jobs and help reduce migrations of African youth to foreign countries, thus shifting the region from net importer of food to net exporter.

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