Aggregation as the only avenue for returning African farmers to profitability African countries have no shortage of documents on how aggregating agricultural commodities can change lives of farmers and low-income consumers. Some agricultural consultants and development agencies have made a living from advising government departments and farming communities on how to design value chain strategies. Read more about Aggregation as the only avenue for returning African farmers to profitability[…]

How fragmented agricultural projects are undermining African food systems If there was more harmony and consolidation between agricultural interventions in Africa, most African countries would have defeated food and nutrition insecurity many years ago. Unfortunately, it seems there are people who benefit more from projectizing agricultural interventions than properly organizing and coordinating food systems. Fragmentation Read more about How fragmented agricultural projects are undermining African food systems[…]

There are several reasons why most of the funding intended for agriculture and food systems has missed targets in African countries.  The funding has been limited to production, ignoring mass food markets which handle and distribute more than 100 food commodities from production areas to scattered food markets and consumers. Women and youth comprise more Read more about Promising avenues for funding African mass food markets[…]

What if removing middlemen can kill over 60 percent of food markets? Middlemen are often blamed for reaping off farmers and consumers. However, most of the criticism is based on poor understanding of how markets function and the gaps closed by middlemen. All markets have unique ways of assigning roles to different actors. If middlemen Read more about What if removing middlemen can kill over 60 percent of food markets?[…]

Impact of commodity shrinkage and other market dynamics on African farmers Shrinking refers to cases where commodities become dry, thin and weak or dead due to loss of water. However, African food systems face diverse kinds of shrinkage due to several factors. In fact, shrinkage accounts for more food losses than the conventional notion of post-harvest Read more about Impact of commodity shrinkage and other market dynamics on African farmers[…]

Long-term planning informed by entrepreneurship can get rid of land barons The rise of land barons has become an enduring trend and topic in many agriculture-driven African economies over the past few years. In fact, this trend has grown to the extent that in Zimbabwe there are more than five types of land barons.  Increase Read more about Long-term planning informed by entrepreneurship can get rid of land barons[…]

What would African countries do without people’s mass food markets? Known as people’s markets or territorial markets in some African countries, Mass food markets have remained unsung heroes in African countries for several reasons. Besides ensuring diverse and affordable food for the majority of rural and urban consumers, these markets represent a unique expression of Read more about What would African countries do without people’s mass food markets?[…]

The unknown side of food processing and value addition in African countries There is no shortage of abandoned small to medium scale food processing plants in many African countries. After getting into a community and seeing abundant tomatoes, mangoes, pine apples and many other types of fruits, some development agencies and government departments have been Read more about The unknown side of food processing and value addition in African countries[…]

Embracing equity and dismantling power imbalances in African food systems Besides focusing on climate change, development organizations, private sector players and governments are increasingly being compelled to embrace equity, inclusion, decolonization of knowledge and dismantling of power imbalances. This new narrative is beginning to shape new development pathways including African food systems and upholding indigenous Read more about Embracing equity and dismantling power imbalances in African food systems[…]