Why some farmers and traders succeed by listening to their own advice

Posted on by

An increase in advice from diverse sources is becoming counter-productive for smallholder farmers in many developing countries. Besides over-saturation, there is no shortage of conflicting advice. Many farmers are wondering why they are being blamed for not taking farming as a business when the majority of formally educated graduates are busy looking for jobs rather Read more about Why some farmers and traders succeed by listening to their own advice[…]

Rainy seasons show how developing countries struggle with preserving food

Posted on by

While rainfall can easily be associated with high agricultural production, in many African countries abundant rains also come with enormous damage to food that has already been produced. At least 30% of food in Africa is said to be lost before it is consumed. Too much rainfall accounts for a significant proportion of such post-harvest Read more about Rainy seasons show how developing countries struggle with preserving food[…]

Overcoming misconceptions about involving users in creating knowledge

Posted on by eMKambo

One of the most enduring misconceptions in developing countries is the notion that if farmers and rural people are not involved in creating knowledge they will not adopt what comes from outside. As a result, billions of US dollars have gone into diverse versions of participatory development approaches. Unfortunately, as soon as donor funding dries Read more about Overcoming misconceptions about involving users in creating knowledge[…]

Lessons from how informal markets keep agricultural knowledge fresh

Posted on by

Just as agriculture markets prefer fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs and other commodities, knowledge on all these commodities should also be kept fresh. It is through regular visits to the market that farmers are able to keep their knowledge fresh.  Farmers who extend loans to traders in the form of commodities also extend knowledge about Read more about Lessons from how informal markets keep agricultural knowledge fresh[…]

Some of the reasons why small grains continue to resist winner take all commercialization

Posted on by

From Mali to Zimbabwe and South Africa to Southern Sudan, small grains remain an integral part of mainstream local food systems.  There are many reasons why small grains continue to pack a huge socio-economic punch in many countries.  To revisit and stimulate a frank discussion on the power of small grains, eMKambo has just completed Read more about Some of the reasons why small grains continue to resist winner take all commercialization[…]

The hybrid nature of most African economies

Posted on by eMKambo

Most African economies are often presented as being dual, comprising the formal and informal economy. However, in real practice the two parts function as a hybrid economy which borrows from the two parts. Nowhere is this scenario more visible than in the agriculture sector where there is a fusion of formal and informal approaches all Read more about The hybrid nature of most African economies[…]

Silent and health competition in African fresh food markets

Posted on by eMKambo

A few years ago, it appeared supermarkets were the only place where consumers would find fresh fruits and vegetables in African cities. The situation has changed dramatically.  Armed with new food safety knowledge and insights from consumers, informal and open fresh food markets have become preferred destinations for the majority of consumers. Imported fruits and Read more about Silent and health competition in African fresh food markets[…]

Lessons from how farmers view wealth creation as a holistic system

Posted on by eMKambo

Although there is a tendency to treat the majority of African smallholder farmers as passive recipients of external information and knowledge, they are very good at learning from their experiences. In Zimbabwe, eMKambo has discovered that farming communities and individual farmers contribute to the national knowledge base more than they will ever know. They have Read more about Lessons from how farmers view wealth creation as a holistic system[…]

Taming agricultural value chains through data and evidence

Posted on by eMKambo

Many people who grew up in African communities practicing mixed farming, remember how taming young bulls or steers into a span of oxen was not easy. The situation was the same with taming a cow to milk it when it had just given birth to its first calf. In most cases you would not complete Read more about Taming agricultural value chains through data and evidence[…]

It will take integrative thinkers to fully exploit African resources

Posted on by eMKambo

The majority of African economies are too complex to be fully exploited through current formal education systems that promote silos. While it is important to have expertise in crop production, livestock production, nutrition, road construction and natural resources management, what matters is how all these forms of knowledge can be integrated into a cohesive system. Read more about It will take integrative thinkers to fully exploit African resources[…]