Category: eMKambo

How climate change is inspiring intelligent experimentation at grassroots

Posted on by eMKambo

During times of socio-economic stability, farmers and entrepreneurs can afford to rely on one commodity or value chain.  Not when climate change is announcing itself in unpredictable ways. That is why experimentation is no longer a preserve for schools and universities. Farming areas and markets are becoming laboratories for intelligent experimentation among farmers, consumers, traders, Read more about How climate change is inspiring intelligent experimentation at grassroots[…]

What if big organizations no longer have monopoly on knowledge?

Posted on by eMKambo

Unprecedented disruption affecting the food retail sector across the globe is also spilling over into the knowledge industry. For some of the world’s biggest knowledge brokering organizations, gone are the days when a logo was enough to lure funding and command brand loyalty. For example, sources of agricultural and financial knowledge have become so diverse Read more about What if big organizations no longer have monopoly on knowledge?[…]

How can the predatory nature of development efforts be tamed?

Posted on by eMKambo

Many rural communities in low income countries are fed up with the predatory nature of external development initiatives. According to the WordWeb dictionary, a predatory animal is one that lives by catching and preying on other animals. Predatory tendencies also include living by or victimizing others for personal gain. When development agencies move into rural Read more about How can the predatory nature of development efforts be tamed?[…]

Of premature technology and information overload

Posted on by eMKambo

Hundreds of mobile applications and technology platforms are launched in Africa almost every day, thanks to the promise of digital-fueled progress. Unfortunately most of the platforms (including those owned by famous mobile network providers) are trotted onto the market prematurely before sufficient pre-testing. There is also confusion between a platform, a portal, a Whatsapp group Read more about Of premature technology and information overload[…]

Two hopes for African Agriculture and rural development in 2019

Posted on by eMKambo

The fact that countries which have moved toward middle-income status have started by transforming their agriculture sector is no longer debatable. Unfortunately, out of 54 countries in Africa, Ethiopia is mentioned as the only one on the path to meaningful agricultural transformation. The rest are still running from pillar to post, chasing different prescriptions. During Read more about Two hopes for African Agriculture and rural development in 2019[…]

Why linking farmers to the market is not enough

Posted on by eMKambo

In spite of millions of dollars that have gone into market linkage initiatives in developing countries over the past few years, farmers still struggle to sell their commodities profitably. Post-harvest losses have not gone down, gluts continue to alternate with shortages and relationships between farmers and processors have not improved. This suggests market linkages is Read more about Why linking farmers to the market is not enough[…]

Questions that must be answered before poor countries import or export food

Posted on by eMKambo

In the absence of evidence-based agricultural policy formulation and implementation, most developing countries always rush to import food without sufficiently understanding their national contexts. During gluts, farmers in areas where fruits are produced in abundance do not benefit from selling nationally compared to when there are shortages.  On the other hand, when the price of Read more about Questions that must be answered before poor countries import or export food[…]

The seasonal appetite for knowledge demand and use in developing countries

Posted on by eMKambo

It is not only revenue streams that tend to be seasonal for farmers in developing countries. The demand and use of knowledge also follow seasonal patterns. From leaking market sheds in Mbare market of Harare and makeshift stalls in Mitundu market of Lilongwe to landslides in the land of a thousand hills (Rwanda), Africa is Read more about The seasonal appetite for knowledge demand and use in developing countries[…]

How the knowledge economy is inspiring new roles and responsibilities

Posted on by eMKambo

Developing countries that remain stuck in colonial governance structures and forms of business are sleeping-walking into all kinds of crises. Some of the colonial forms of business still being practiced in most African countries include sole trader (traditional enterprises), companies, cooperatives and partnerships which function through mutual agreement to pool resources and skills together for Read more about How the knowledge economy is inspiring new roles and responsibilities[…]

Reducing the gap between formal and informal economies

Posted on by eMKambo

Narrowing the gap between formal and informal economies remains a big challenge for many African countries. Instead of increasing interdependence between the two economies, in countries like Zimbabwe, the gap between the two economies seems to be widening. As if that is not enough, academia, politics and financial institutions remain detached from society and the Read more about Reducing the gap between formal and informal economies[…]