Why the elite should stop imposing their expectations on smallholder farmers

Posted on by eMKambo

Bankers expect smallholder farmers to repay loans at a particular interest. For economists, African smallholder farmers are supposed to master return on investment. Nutritionists expect smallholder farmers to be food scientists just as agronomists and livestock specialists expect smallholder farmers to think and act like scientists. NGOs promoting farmer field schools see farmers as learners Read more about Why the elite should stop imposing their expectations on smallholder farmers[…]

How to move from ordinary to best agricultural practices

Posted on by eMKambo

‘Best practice’ is not even a mouthful but what it means in practice remains unclear to many people who use the phrase. In African agriculture, it takes a lot for a farmer or trader to become a best practitioner.  Most value chain actors face challenges in identifying sufficient quality evidence that can be translated into Read more about How to move from ordinary to best agricultural practices[…]

Headaches and pathways of translating infrastructure into better lives

Posted on by eMKambo

While infrastructure like road highways and irrigation systems continue to receive much attention, funding and media coverage, it has taken long for most intended beneficiaries to benefit directly from such investments. After investing infrastructure, most development organizations do not think about the sustainability model. The utilization of resources is more critical than just investing in Read more about Headaches and pathways of translating infrastructure into better lives[…]

How African territorial markets are quietly rewriting socio-economic rules

Posted on by eMKambo

Being self-organized for decades has enabled most African territorial markets to write their own socio-economic rules in ways that are contrary to formal systems that African governments borrowed from colonialism without questioning. For instance, whereas formal business often at 8am and close at 5pm, most African territorial markets operate 24/7 with restocking happening throughout the Read more about How African territorial markets are quietly rewriting socio-economic rules[…]

Making market infrastructure fit for purpose through consultative processes

Posted on by eMKambo

One of the major reasons why African countries are littered with abandoned market sheds intended for the poor is because these structures are set up without sufficient consultation. Those with a lot of money think they know what poor people need and quickly build what they call ‘world-class’ markets when what is needed are simple Read more about Making market infrastructure fit for purpose through consultative processes[…]

The underestimated role of traditional medicine in shaping local wellbeing

Posted on by eMKambo

In most African communities, traditional medicine and indigenous herbs are in integral component of local well-being. Any conversation about local food systems which does not mention the role of traditional medicine and indigenous herbs is incomplete. However, there has been limited research on the trade and consumption of traditional medicine and indigenous herbs including how Read more about The underestimated role of traditional medicine in shaping local wellbeing[…]

What does knowledge mean when African scholars are not keen to understand informal economies?

Posted on by eMKambo

If African scholars were more interested in studying informal economies and territorial markets, by now, there would be abundant literature on these important post-colonial institutions. Instead, African scholars are more interested in studying formal institutions and citing textbooks and journals from the Global North. The fact that there are no books about Binga district doesn’t Read more about What does knowledge mean when African scholars are not keen to understand informal economies?[…]

Transporters as unique knowledge brokers in African markets and food systems

Posted on by eMKambo

The process of moving food commodities from production areas to markets is rich with unique knowledge which you may not hear from farmers or traders but from transporters. In most value chain studies, transporters are often overlooked as key informants yet they get information from diverse actors and sources such as farmers, traders, other transporters, Read more about Transporters as unique knowledge brokers in African markets and food systems[…]

How colonialists used their language to undermine indigenous food systems

Posted on by eMKambo

In many African countries, colonialists did not just take the best land for producing their own food and raw materials for their own industries. They went further and used their own language to stigmatize indigenous food so that the young generation of Africans would completely delink themselves from food that is an integral part of Read more about How colonialists used their language to undermine indigenous food systems[…]

Why farmers should know how their commodities perform on the market

Posted on by eMKambo

Why farmers should know how their commodities perform on the market It is no longer enough for farmers to know how to produce particular commodities. This is because agricultural and food commodities participate in a competitive environment so, there is need to identify areas of improvement towards meeting customer expectations. Therefore, it is important for Read more about Why farmers should know how their commodities perform on the market[…]

Domesticating wild animals and plants can strengthen African food systems

Posted on by eMKambo

For African countries that are preserving their biodiversity, domesticating wild animals and plants can be a promising avenue for strengthening food systems and creating totally new value chains. That will also liberate African communities from depending on corporate hybrids that are causing several health challenges to many populations. What prevents African countries from producing diverse Read more about Domesticating wild animals and plants can strengthen African food systems[…]

What would inclusive urban planning look like for an agriculture-driven economy

Posted on by eMKambo

Urban planning in most African cities has not only remained colonial but largely focuses on attracting foreign investors and tourists at the expense of meeting the needs of local citizens. The way commodities move from production areas to urban centres should be an integral component of urban planning. That will enable local authorities to answer Read more about What would inclusive urban planning look like for an agriculture-driven economy[…]