Category: eMKambo

The invisible costs of fragmented data in African agriculture and food systems

Posted on by eMKambo

While the importance of agricultural and food systems data is no longer questionable, unless concrete examples are provided, many decision makers will take a casual approach to data. Without data on quantities of agricultural commodities harvested (not just hectares planted) in a particular community, government can assume there is enough food to last a whole Read more about The invisible costs of fragmented data in African agriculture and food systems[…]

How evidence and knowledge influence the quality of commodities and incomes

Posted on by eMKambo

The quality of agricultural commodities and income is influenced by the quality of evidence and knowledge accessible to value chain actors, thanks to evidence from African mass food markets. More importantly, the survival of any business depends on the trust, relationships and networks built with existing and potential suppliers and buyers. Many African countries produce Read more about How evidence and knowledge influence the quality of commodities and incomes[…]

How agroecology is dismantling stereotypes about rural Africa

Posted on by eMKambo

Gone are the days when African rural areas were associated with backwardness. With many indigenous food commodities like wild fruits and tubers from rural areas commercializing themselves through African territorial markets, many Africans who care about health and wellness are relocating to rural areas and the countryside from cities.  Who wants to live in an Read more about How agroecology is dismantling stereotypes about rural Africa[…]

Using territorial markets to scale what is working in African food systems

Posted on by eMKambo

One of the most persistent challenges for African governments and development agencies has been how to spread good practices by scaling what is working in one community to several communities. Several well-meaning pilot interventions have remained isolated islands of success. The way African territorial markets harness horizontal knowledge exchange between actors could provide useful practical Read more about Using territorial markets to scale what is working in African food systems[…]

Tapping into the voices and wisdom of people doing the hard work

Posted on by eMKambo

Instead of depending on extractive models that focus on exploiting natural resources like land, water and minerals, every African country can benefit from tapping into the voices and wisdom of people who are doing the hard work of preserving African indigenous food. Many rural communities are convinced that achieving food and nutrition security is a Read more about Tapping into the voices and wisdom of people doing the hard work[…]

Making sense of how some African communities define indigenous food

Posted on by eMKambo

Every community has elders with vivid memories of how they ended up consuming colonial food. They use these memories to tell stories around their indigenous food and indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) in which traditional structures and totems are also part of the story. The elders have also witnessed the impact of external inputs on their Read more about Making sense of how some African communities define indigenous food[…]

Uncoordinated agricultural programs undermine efforts to build business

Posted on by eMKambo

Across Africa, uncoordinated agricultural programs by government and development organizations have continue to increase food losses and undermine efforts to build strong business cases. At national level, there is often no connection between government and donor-driven programs that focus on the same value chains. Commodities from diverse similar interventions often converge in the same market Read more about Uncoordinated agricultural programs undermine efforts to build business[…]

In African territorial markets, every commodity is controlled by specialists

Posted on by eMKambo

In African territorial markets, every commodity is controlled by specialists Among several characteristics that make African territorial markets different from markets in other parts of the world is that most food commodities are controlled by specialists. These specialists are passionate traders who stick with a commodity through thick and thin. While opportunists may switch from Read more about In African territorial markets, every commodity is controlled by specialists[…]

What would a funding model ideal for African mass markets look like?

Posted on by eMKambo

What would a funding model ideal for African mass markets look like? African territorial mass markets have been quietly evolving into unique institutions for decades. However, one of the big gaps has remained the absence of relevant formal financial models dedicated to these important socio-economic institutions.  For instance, Zimbabwe produces more than 100 agricultural commodities Read more about What would a funding model ideal for African mass markets look like?[…]

African food markets thrive on undocumented knowledge and systems

Posted on by eMKambo

The way agricultural commodities and natural food products move through African territorial markets demonstrate how food distribution is largely driven by undocumented knowledge and distribution systems.  Key questions include: How do territorial markets reach a price when there is no business analyst? How do they use marketing strategies like discounts without a credit controller?  Why Read more about African food markets thrive on undocumented knowledge and systems[…]