[su_pullquote][su_dropcap style="flat" size="2"]A[/su_dropcap]fter staring at his computer screen for 30 minutes and unconsciously listening to the sounds of political unrest in the streets of Bujumbura, Burundi’s national facilitator of Humidtropics still had not written a single word for his May 2015 report. He turned his chair and looked through the window, but his mind was somewhere else. It was in the Highlands of Gitega, with the research for development activities that had been implemented half-a-year ago, and with the farmers hosting these and awaiting him to give guidance. He … [Read more...]
Boosting Plantain Production and Improving Access to Markets in Nigeria
Plantain is one of the major crops of smallholder farmers in Nigeria. It is produced both for food consumption in the households and for cash through its transformation into various products that are marketed. Using Humidtropics' integrated systems approach, a team of researchers from FARA and IITA is working with key actors in the Nigeria Action Site to improve the plantain value chain (i.e. to effectively deliver valuable plantain products to the market, and to customers). Using the Rapid Appraisal of Agricultural Innovation Systems (RAAIS) diagnostic tool, the four Innovation Platforms … [Read more...]
The Partnership Behind Uganda’s Fledgling Soybean Industry
One of the main bottlenecks to the development of Africa’s rural economy and agriculture sector is an often divergent agenda from the government, private sector, researchers and NGOs. Someone needs to “connect the dots†to enhance synergy, and avoid contradictory advice for farmers. East and Central Africa is facing many complex agricultural problems that no single actor can solve on their own. Researchers, farmers, policymakers, the private sector and development partners all provide a piece of the puzzle, whether this is a scientific innovation, a helpful policy, or access to a … [Read more...]