
Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing humanity today. Its effects are being felt across the globe, with far-reaching consequences for our ecosystems, economies, and societies. Agriculture, which is at the heart of our food system, is particularly vulnerable to the impact of climate change. The good news is that there is a solution - climate-smart agriculture. 

In this blog post, we will explore the concept of climate-smart agriculture, which aims to help farmers adapt to these changes and ensure food security in the face of a changing climate. We will discuss the principles of climate-smart agriculture and provide practical tips for farmers looking to implement climate-smart practices.


What is Climate-Smart Agriculture?

Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is an approach to farming that seeks to address the triple challenge of food security, climate change, and sustainable development. It is an integrated approach that takes into account the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of agriculture. CSA aims to increase agricultural productivity, resilience, and adaptation to climate change while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.


The Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture

Climate change is already having a significant impact on agriculture. Extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, and heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense. These events are causing crop failures, loss of livestock, and soil degradation. In addition, changing weather patterns are affecting the timing of planting and harvesting, which can have a significant impact on yields.

Principles of Climate-Smart Agriculture

Climate-smart agriculture is based on three principles:

Sustainable Productivity: CSA seeks to increase agricultural productivity by using sustainable approaches that improve soil health, increase water efficiency, and reduce the use of external inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides.

Adaptation: CSA aims to increase the resilience of agriculture to climate change by promoting practices that enable farmers to adapt to changing weather patterns.

Mitigation: CSA seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by promoting practices that sequester carbon in the soil, reduce emissions from livestock, and reduce the use of fossil fuels in farming operations.



Practical Tips for Farmers to Implement Climate-Smart Practices

Farmers can implement climate-smart practices by adopting the following tips:
Conservation Agriculture: This involves reducing tillage, retaining crop residues, and planting cover crops. These practices help to improve soil health, increase water efficiency, and reduce erosion.

Agroforestry: This involves integrating trees with crops and livestock. Trees provide shade, reduce soil erosion, and improve soil fertility.

Integrated Pest Management: This involves using a combination of cultural, biological, and chemical methods to control pests and diseases. This approach reduces the use of pesticides, which can harm the environment and human health.

Efficient Water Use: This involves using drip irrigation, rainwater harvesting, and other techniques to reduce water use in agriculture.

Livestock Management: This involves using techniques such as rotational grazing, improved feed management, and manure management to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from livestock.

Precision agriculture - Precision agriculture uses technology, such as sensors and drones, to optimize crop management. This includes targeted use of fertilizers and pesticides, reducing waste and increasing efficiency.


Success Stories of Climate-Smart Agriculture Implementation

There are many success stories of climate-smart agriculture implementation. Here are some examples:


Conservation Agriculture in Zambia: In Zambia, conservation agriculture has helped farmers to improve soil health, increase yields, and reduce erosion. By retaining crop residues and reducing tillage, farmers have been able to improve soil fertility and reduce the need for external inputs.

Agroforestry in Malawi: In Malawi, agroforestry has helped farmers to improve soil fertility, reduce erosion, and increase yields. By integrating trees with crops and livestock, farmers have been able to improve soil health and provide shade for their crops and animals.

Integrated Pest Management in India: In India, integrated pest management has helped farmers to control pests and diseases without relying on pesticides. By using a combination of cultural, biological, and chemical methods, farmers have been able to reduce the use of pesticides and protect the environment and human health.

Efficient Water Use in Tanzania: In Tanzania, rainwater harvesting by farmers has led to increased crop yields, improved soil health, and better water management. Additionally, farmers have been able to diversify their income sources and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

Conclusion

Climate-smart agriculture is a key to feeding the future through sustainable farming. By adopting sustainable practices that improve soil health, increase water efficiency, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, farmers can increase productivity, resilience, and adaptation to climate change. The success stories of climate-smart agriculture implementation show that this approach is not only good for the environment but also good for farmers and their communities. It is time for us to embrace climate-smart agriculture and build a sustainable future for all.
















Sources:https://www.fao.org/climate-smart-agriculture-sourcebook/concept/module-a1-introducing-csa/chapter-a1-2/en/#:~:text=As%20noted%20in%20the%20overview,greenhouse%20gas%20emissions%2C%20where%20possible.
https://www.afdb.org/en/documents/document/climate-change-success-stories-malawi-community-based-adaptation-helps-diversify-income-generating-activities-to-guard-against-extreme-weather-conditions-in-malawi-87805
https://www.fao.org/policy-support/tools-and-publications/resources-details/en/c/1177071/ 
https://www.fao.org/3/i3540e/i3540e.pdf 
https://www.fao.org/3/CA2386EN/ca2386en.pdf 
https://assets.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3033984/v1/6632e58a-0eb4-4903-9f4d-d4de1f89d517.pdf?c=1689612262 






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Climate Smart Agriculture: A key solution to the challenges of feeding the future.


Health is wealth, and there is no denying that. But, in a world where everything is fast-paced and moving at lightning speed, our health often takes a backseat. We tend to prioritize work, relationships, and other things over our well-being. But, it's time to change that and take charge of our health and lead a healthier and greener lifestyle. 

When we talk about a healthier and greener lifestyle, we are not just talking about eating the right food or exercising regularly. We are talking about a sustainable way of life - a way of life that benefits us and the planet we live in.

Here are some tips for living and eating healthy while also being mindful of the environment.

Eat More Plant-Based Foods: One of the easiest ways to live a healthier and greener lifestyle is by Incorporating plant-based foods into your diet. Among its numerous benefits are: that it can help you lose weight, reduce your risk of chronic diseases, and improve your overall health. Furthermore, a plant-based diet is better for the environment. 

Choose  Locally Sourced Foods: When it comes to eating healthy, It is important to choose foods that are not only nutrient-dense but also free from harmful chemicals and pesticides. Choosing locally sourced foods also supports local farmers and reduces the carbon emissions associated with transportation.

Reduce Food Waste: Approximately one-third of all food produced in the world goes to waste. This is a staggering number, especially when you consider that millions of people around the world go hungry every day. Reducing food waste is important for addressing the issue of hunger and for reducing the environmental impact of food production. Start by planning your meals ahead of time, buying only what you need, and storing food properly. You can also consider composting your food scraps instead of throwing them in the trash.

Use Reusable Bags, Containers, and Utensils: Single-use plastics are a major contributor to environmental pollution and are harmful to both wildlife and humans. By using reusable bags, containers, and utensils, you can significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste you produce. Invest in a set of reusable bags and containers for grocery shopping and meal prep. Carry a set of reusable utensils with you when you're on the go, so you don't have to rely on plastic cutlery.

Incorporate Physical Activity into Your Daily Routine: Physical activity is essential for maintaining good health. It helps to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, improves mental health, and strengthens bones and muscles. Incorporating physical activity into your daily routine doesn't have to be complicated. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, go for a walk during weekends or your day off, or ride your bike to work if it's possible, and walk as much as you can. Every little bit counts.

Living and eating healthy while also being mindful of the environment is not as difficult as it may seem. By making small changes to your lifestyle, such as eating more plant-based foods, reducing food waste, and using reusable bags and containers, you can make a significant impact on your health and the planet. 

So, why not start today? Commit to leading a healthier and greener lifestyle and see the positive changes for yourself.



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Living and Eating Healthy: Tips for a healthier and greener lifestyle

Welcome to all the  new  people  that have joined us here in the past 14 days. If you have not joined our community in receiving weekly innovative agricultural productive insights , updates , and interviews from experts and FarmEASY agents straight to your inbox please do so by subscribing to our newsletter riceAfrica.com/Subscribe .

RiceAfrika is Nigeria's first tech-driven agriculture optimization provider that connects smallholders farmers with equipment and materials they need to increase food production and tap into a structured market.

What started out as a friendly chat with a friend in 2019 to help bring the rice value chain together to solve hunger problems came to life in  in 2020 with the big vision of building an Africa that can feed itself and the world

We started out by helping farmers connect their products to structured markets in good time but along the line, we discovered that there is a bigger problem that needs to be addressed if Africa is to win the war against hunger and poverty. And this problem is the root cause why  African farmers experience 5x lower productive yield than the rest of the world despite Africa having 65% of the world's arable land. Because the problem of low productivity in agriculture is not only a Nigerian problem but a sub-Saharan African problem.

We discovered that 92% of rice farmers harvest manually and this greatly affected the quality and quantity of the produce and by extension the standard of living of these smallholder farmers.  Because 60% of the African population are employed in agriculture and yet they live in abject poverty. This was the light bulb that made us tweak our business model by introducing sustainable climate-smart farming practices that will increase the productivity of African smallholder farmers by helping them produce more for less labor with the help of mechanization and quality inputs.
 This model enabled us to launch the award-winning harvester hiring services (HHS) which have attracted global recognition and attention through the Uplink-World Economic Forum The Circulars Accelerator Program Cohort of 2022. 

And in 2023 RiceAfrika won the LEAP  rocket fuel competition Technology for Humanity award.

In the last 2.5years we have harvested over  5525  hectares saving over  15 million  kg of grains from being wasted or lost through manual harvesting. It might interest you to know that this can feed over 50 million people, saving them from hunger and also saving 155,534 manual labor hours.

Late 2022 we expanded our services to Tanzania which is Africa's Best kept secret. So far we have made a tremendous impact in Nigeria and Tanzania by extension Africa through our FarmEASY platform by connecting farmers with land preparation equipment, high-yielding seeds, quality herbicides and pesticides, affordable fertilizers, Mechanized harvesting, farm extension services and structured markets. As our founder will always say, “Impossibility is nothing “  because we are just getting started as we have not scratched the surface in Africa.

We are grateful to our founder Ibrahim Maigari for birthing this vision. To all our investors, clients and partners we say thank you for believing in this vision and supporting us. Let's do more. To the hardworking men and women behind the scenes working round the clock to ensure this vision keeps growing, you are highly appreciated.

And to you reading this you can partner with us in this vision through your support, referral, and patronage. Read more of our impact here and stay updated with our work and activities by subscribing to our newsletter at RiceAfrika.com/Subscribe.

RiceAfrika Building an Africa that can Feed itself and the World !





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RiceAfrika the story of a disruptive innovator, Creating Technology for Humanity.

RiceAfrika : The story of a disruptive  innovator


>Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food.

What you eat has a profound impact on your health. A healthy diet can help you maintain a healthy weight, reduce your risk of chronic diseases, and improve your overall well-being. Studies have shown that people who eat a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains have a lower risk of developing heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer. 

On the other hand, people who eat a diet high in processed foods, sugary drinks, and unhealthy fats have a higher risk of developing these diseases.

To incorporate healthy food into your diet, here are some tips:
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are essential for good health. Aim to eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day.
- Choose whole grains over refined grains. Whole grains (millet, bulgur, quinoa, sorghum, teff) are a good source of fibre, which can help you feel full and satisfied after eating. They also contain essential nutrients that are not in refined grains.
- Lean protein. Lean protein (chicken, fish, beans, and lentils) can help you build and maintain muscle mass.
- Healthy fats. Found in avocados, nuts and seeds, healthy fats can help improve your heart health and reduce your risk of chronic diseases.
- Limit saturated and trans fats. Saturated and trans fats are in animal products, processed foods, and some vegetable oils. These fats can increase your risk of heart disease and other health problems.
- Reduce your sugar intake. Added sugar is present in many processed foods, including soft drinks, candy, and pastries. Too much sugar can lead to weight gain, tooth decay, and other health problems.
- Drink plenty of water. Water is essential for good health. It helps your body function properly and can help you feel full. Aim to drink eight glasses of water per day.

Making lifestyle changes through a healthy diet does not suggest that conventional medicines are not important, but rather shows the significant role diet plays in disease prevention.


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Diet & Disease - How what you eat can affect your health

Agricultural transformation is a complex and costly process that requires significant investment for Africa’s future generations.

As Africa seeks to transform its agricultural sector to meet the challenges of a growing population, it is essential to consider the costs involved. A recent study by the African Development Bank estimated that the total cost required for agricultural transformation over the next decade could be as high as $400 billion.

**Key factors involved in achieving this include:**

- Technology & Innovation:
Investment in research and development, access to high-yielding seeds and quality chemicals, mechanised harvesting and precision farming increase productivity and food yield.

- Capacity Building:
Investment in human capital is essential for agricultural transformation. As smallholder farmers remain the backbone of African agriculture, providing training, education and extension services to farmers and rural communities enhances their skills and capacity to implement sustainable farming practices and make informed decisions to drive agricultural development.

- Infrastructure Development:
Irrigation systems, a good road network, storage facilities and processing centres are crucial to reducing post-harvest losses, enabling proper food distribution and market access.

- Market Access & Trade: 
Investment in market linkages and value chain infrastructure will provide more jobs, increase farmers' income and provide better economic integration beyond Africa.

- Policy & Institutional Support:
Transparent governance, policies supporting farmers and partnerships with the private sector will help to create an enabling environment for long-term growth and development.

With the proper investment and support, agricultural transformation will increase food production, job creation and economic growth in Africa.


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Counting the Cost of Agricultural Transformation in Africa

There is no form of agriculture without risk. In Africa, more than 500 million smallholder farmers with an average farm size of 1-2 hectares are at risk of high food loss before and after harvest due to extreme weather events (drought, flood), climate change and pest/ disease infestation. Other issues that affect African farmers include logistics, infrastructure, political instability and volatile food prices.

At the end of the day, smallholder farmers’ livelihoods are vulnerable, affecting agricultural productivity. Risk management identifies and mitigates these risks.

**How can we strengthen risk management for African farmers?**

- **Understand these risks**:
What is the root cause? Agricultural risks are many and can impact households, countries or the global market. Understanding these risks helps to prioritise actions tailored to them.

- **Optimise productivity**:
Many African farmers cannot access quality inputs (seeds, fertiliser, chemicals) or equipment for effective risk management due to poor access to credit/finance.
The FarmEASY operating system by RiceAfrika is helping farmers thrive by providing access to land preparation equipment, high-yielding seeds, quality herbicides and pesticides, affordable fertiliser, mechanised harvesting, farm extension services and a structured market.

- **Build capacity**:
Farmer cooperatives and agricultural extension officers help to educate and foster knowledge sharing among farmers. They can encourage them to incorporate climate-smart agriculture practices like agroecology, conservation agriculture and efficient water management.

- **Provide access to timely weather information and early warning systems**:
Establishing early warning systems for extreme weather events (flood or drought) empowers farmers to take proactive measures. Kukua (a weather data and forecasting service) operates in Tanzania, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Rwanda. 

- **Incorporate insurance**:
Though not all risks are insurable, insurance can provide a soft landing board for some. Insurance can provide safety nets against climate-related disasters, pests, diseases, and market price fluctuations. Governments and financial institutions should collaborate to develop and promote innovative insurance schemes.

African farmers can thrive in a changing agricultural landscape when the risk of exposure reduces, ensuring sustainable development.


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Strengthening Risk Management for African Farmers 

Agriculture is the backbone of the African economy, providing a livelihood for over **60%** of the population. However, the sector is plagued by low productivity, poor infrastructure, and climate change. As a result, millions of Africans are still living in poverty. Agriculture in Africa is not just about growing crops; it holds the key to addressing critical social challenges and transforming communities. From poverty alleviation to sustainable development, agriculture has the potential to be a catalyst for positive change. 

Social impact through agriculture can help to address these challenges and improve the lives of millions of people. By investing in agricultural development, we can increase productivity, improve access to markets, and build resilience to climate change. This will lead to increased incomes, better nutrition, and improved health for millions of people.

There are a number of ways to drive social impact through agriculture in Africa. One is to **invest in agricultural research and development**. This will help to develop new varieties of crops that are resistant to pests and diseases, and that can withstand the changing climate. Another way to drive social impact is to **invest in agricultural infrastructure**. This includes roads, irrigation systems, and storage facilities. These investments will help to get crops to market and ensure that they are of good quality.

Finally, we need to **invest in agricultural education and training**. This will help farmers to adopt new technologies and practices, and to improve their management skills. By investing in social impact through agriculture, we can help to create a more prosperous and sustainable future for Africa.

Here are some specific examples of how social impact through agriculture is being achieved in Africa:

1. In Kenya, the _One Acre Fund_ is a non-profit organization that provides agricultural training, access to credit, and improved seeds and fertilizers to smallholder farmers. The One Acre Fund has helped over 2 million farmers increase their crop yields and incomes.
2. In Ethiopia, the _World Food Programme_ is working with farmers to improve their agricultural practices and to access markets. The World Food Programme has helped over 10 million people in Ethiopia improve their food security.
3. In Malawi, the _Catholic Relief Services_ is working to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers by providing them with access to improved seeds, fertilizers, and agricultural training. The Catholic Relief Services has helped over 1 million farmers in Malawi increase their crop yields and incomes.

These are just a few examples of how social impact through agriculture is being achieved in Africa. By investing in agricultural development, we can help to create a more prosperous and sustainable future for Africa.

**How can you help to drive social impact through agriculture in Africa?**

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Driving Social Impact Through Agriculture

Throughout the 20th century, agricultural extension services (defined by the _World Bank_ as processes that help farmers become aware of improved technologies and adopt them to improve their efficiency, income and welfare) were primarily implemented by government researchers. However, public sector spending has varied widely across different countries in Africa.

Public-private partnerships are considered to be a driver for the modernization of the agricultural sector towards sustainable agricultural development that is inclusive of smallholder farmers because it combines competencies of both public and private sectors to generate innovations that promote synergies which would not have been realized by one party operating alone.

Strengthening public-private partnerships for farm extension services in Africa is crucial for:

- Enhanced Resource Mobilization: Public-private partnerships (PPPs) bring together the strengths and resources of both sectors, enabling more efficient and effective delivery of farm extension services. Governments often face budgetary constraints, while the private sector can contribute financial resources, expertise, and technology. By combining forces, PPPs can mobilize greater financial and technical resources to support extension services, leading to improved reach and impact.

- Improved Service Delivery and Efficiency: Private sector involvement in farm extension services can enhance service delivery and operational efficiency. Private companies often possess well-established distribution networks, management systems, and monitoring mechanisms that can be leveraged to reach farmers effectively. By leveraging private sector expertise in logistics, information technology, and supply chain management, extension services can be more responsive, transparent, and results-oriented.

- Tailored and Demand-Driven Approach: Private sector participation in PPPs brings a customer-focused approach to extension services. Private companies are driven by market demand and profitability, ensuring that services are tailored to farmers' specific needs. This market-driven approach helps extension services remain relevant and responsive to the changing needs and preferences of farmers, leading to improved adoption rates and long-term sustainability.

- Capacity Building and Skills Development: The private sector can contribute expertise and resources for capacity building and skill development of extension officers and farmers. Through PPPs, private companies can offer training programs, workshops, and knowledge-sharing platforms, enabling extension officers to enhance their technical knowledge and delivery skills. This capacity building extends to farmers, empowering them with the necessary skills and knowledge to adopt modern farming practices and effectively manage their farms.

- Sustainability and Long-Term Engagement: PPPs provide a framework for long-term engagement and collaboration between public and private entities. Unlike short-term projects, PPPs foster sustained partnerships and investment in farm extension services. This continuity ensures the availability of resources, ongoing support, and the ability to adapt to evolving challenges and opportunities in agriculture.


Overall, strengthening public-private partnerships for farm extension services in Africa brings together the strengths and resources of both sectors, fostering innovation, improving service delivery, and enhancing farmers' access to markets, technologies, and capacity-building initiatives. By harnessing the synergies of public and private entities, public-private partnerships can play a transformative role in driving agricultural development, improving food security, and promoting sustainable farming practices.


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Strengthening Public-Private Partnerships for Farm Extension Services in Africa


>In God we trust; all others must bring data. 

Without correct data, farmers and other stakeholders in agriculture cannot make informed decisions to optimise operations for increased productivity. Through market intelligence, weather forecasting, precision farming, supply chain optimisation and risk management, waste can be reduced, specific foods can be made available all year not only during their harvest seasons and protect against potential losses while improving yields.

**Market Intelligence**

Data collected on changes in supply and demand, price fluctuations, and trade flows can be analysed and used to inform decision-making by farmers, traders, policymakers, and other stakeholders to inform emerging opportunities/risks and forecast future market conditions.

Data is also used to inform policy analysis and development, including assessments of the impacts of trade policies, agricultural subsidies, and other government interventions on agricultural markets.

**Weather Forecasting**

Data is collected from satellites, radar, and weather stations to provide real-time information about current weather conditions and is used to make predictions about future weather conditions, including temperature, precipitation, and wind patterns.

In the case of emergencies like floods and wildfires, data can help emergency responders plan and coordinate their efforts, and ensure that resources are deployed effectively.

**Precision farming**

Through precision mapping (creating detailed maps of fields that identify variations in soil type, moisture levels, and other environmental factors that can affect crop growth), farmers can determine the most appropriate planting and irrigation strategies for different areas of the field, allowing them to maximize crop yields while minimizing resource use.

Another use of data in precision farming is in crop monitoring. Sensors and other technologies can be used to collect data on temperature, humidity, and nutrient levels. This data can then detect early signs of stress or disease in crops, allowing farmers to take corrective action before significant damage occurs.


Data plays a critical role in modern agriculture, helping farmers and other stakeholders to make informed decisions, improve efficiency and productivity, manage risks, and promote sustainable practices.

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Revolutionizing Agriculture In Africa With Data-Driven Solutions

**Mechanization** is not only for tilling land; it is also useful for planting, harvesting, processing and storage of produce. It can be a catalyst for crop production in Africa in several ways:


- Increased Efficiency: Mechanization can help farmers to save time and labor, which can lead to increased efficiency in crop production. With the use of machinery such as tractors, plows, and planters, farmers can cover more ground quickly and plant crops faster than manual labor. This increased efficiency can lead to more crops being produced in less time, which can ultimately increase the yield.


- Improved Yield: Mechanization can also improve the yield of crops in Africa. With the use of modern machinery, farmers can better manage the land and the crops, which can lead to improved crop quality and higher yields. For example, the use of precision planting techniques can help to ensure that seeds are planted at the optimal depth and spacing, leading to improved germination and growth rates.


- Reduced Post-harvest Losses: Mechanization can also help to reduce post-harvest losses, which are a significant problem in Africa. With the use of mechanized equipment such as harvesters, threshers, and dryers, farmers can harvest and process their crops more quickly and efficiently, reducing the risk of spoilage and waste.


- Increased Profitability: Mechanization can increase the profitability of crop production in Africa. By increasing efficiency, improving yield, and reducing post-harvest losses, farmers can produce more crops at a lower cost, which can lead to higher profits.


- It can also increase land productivity by facilitating timeliness and qualty of cultivation and decrease the environmental footprint of agriculture when combined with adequate conservation agriculture practices.


However, it is important to note that mechanization alone is not enough to ensure successful crop production in Africa. Other factors such as access to credit, markets, and training are also crucial for farmers to succeed.



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Mechanization - A Catalyst For Crop Production In Africa

Increasing agricultural productivity is critical, but more importantly, adopting smart practices that will combat climate change because agriculture goes hand-in-hand with the state of the climate. Food production systems account for more than a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions hence, food lies at the heart of mitigating climate change. 


What exactly does climate-smart agriculture mean?
According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, it is a form of agriculture that sustainably increases agricultural output and enhances adaptation while building resilience to climate change by reducing or eliminating Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) wherever possible to promote global food safety. Simply put, it is a collection of the best farming practices aimed at nipping climate change in the bud.


Climate-smart agriculture addresses:
Management of farms, crops, livestock and aquaculture to balance livelihoods and food security while prioritising adaptation and mitigation.
Management of ecosystems and landscapes to conserve ecosystem services that support food security and agricultural development, along with adaptation and mitigation.
Services for farmers and land managers that allow better management of climate risks and impacts and mitigation actions.
Changes in the broader food system, including value chain interventions.


The detrimental effect of our changing climate (e.g. increased temperatures, floods, drought, hurricanes, prevalent plant and livestock pests) is most felt by smallholder farmers because they don’t have the tools to recoup their losses. Sometimes, an entire farmland or harvest is wiped out, depending on how severe the event is, leaving these farmers with no source of income.


What can we do to promote climate-smart agriculture?

Crop management - use of quality seeds and diversifying crops for increased harvest and soil nourishment.
Water management - employing irrigation systems to conserve water use.
Soil and land management
Post-harvest management - proper storage and processing to reduce spoilage and food waste.
Sustainable use of technology
Thorough education, sensitization and upskilling of farmers via farm extension services because techniques and tools alone won’t produce desired results.


RiceAfrika remains committed to building an Africa that can feed itself and the world. We employ climate-smart practices by providing free access to land preparation equipment, high-yielding seeds, quality herbicides and pesticides, affordable fertilizer, farm extension services, and a structured market to all rice and wheat farmers registered on our FarmEASY mobile platform. 


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Promoting Climate-Smart Agriculture

RiceAfrika has been awarded the Technology for Humanity Award at LEAP2023 in Riyadh. With this prestigious accolade, we are one step closer to achieving our goal of building an Africa that can feed itself and the world.

The Rocket Fuel Competition at LEAP23 attracted over 10,000 applications from around the world, making this win even more meaningful for us. As one of the seven incredible winners, we're honored to have been recognized for our commitment to using technology to improve food security, climate resilience, and the lives of African smallholder farmers.

The USD150K equity-free cash prize that we received from the competition will allow us to reach even more smallholder farmers through our FarmEASY Mobile Platform, which is designed to solve the smallholder farmers 8 critical touch points. 

At RiceAfrika, we remain committed to using technology to address the critical issues facing the agricultural industry in Africa. Our innovative approach to agriculture led us to design FarmEASY which is to empower smallholder farmers and drive significant impact on food security, sustainability and climate resilience across Nigeria and Tanzania and we strongly believe can be replicated across Africa as well.

Visit RiceAfrika.com to learn more about our journey and how you can be part of the solution as donors, investors and agricultural experts. Together, we can build an Africa that can feed itself and the world.

RiceAfrika has been awarded the Technology for Humanity Award at LEAP2023 in Riyadh.

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RICEAFRIKA at LEAP2023

Feeding a growing world population while minimizing environmental effect and maintaining natural resources for future generations is a major problem for the agriculture sector. The environment can be significantly impacted by agriculture. Agriculture can have a major negative impact on the environment, but it can also have a favorable impact.

The effect that various farming practices have on the ecosystems nearby and how those impacts may be attributed to those practices are the environmental impact of agriculture. Based on farmer techniques and the scope of operation, the environmental impact of agriculture varies greatly. Sustainable agriculture is practiced by farming communities that make an effort to lessen their negative effects on the environment by changing their methods.

Even as professionals develop creative ways to lessen harm and increase eco-efficiency, the negative effects of agriculture are a long-standing problem that still cause concern. Although some forms of pastoralism are environmentally friendly, modern animal agriculture tends to be more harmful to the environment than agriculture that focuses on producing fruits, vegetables, and other biomass. Concerns about environmental pollution are still being raised by the ammonia emissions from animal feces.

These five primary effects of agriculture on the environment are highlighted in the following sections. The following are the effects: 1. Land Degradation - The viability of agriculture is seriously threatened by land degradation in one way or another. Deforestation, excessive grazing, and poor cultural practices in the forest and other plain regions expose the soil to water and wind erosions. Landslides induced by rain and flowing water in hilly places expose the soil to water and wind erosions.

2. Deforestation - The deliberate destruction of forested area is known as deforestation. Forests have been cleared throughout history and into the present era to make room for agriculture and animal grazing as well as to obtain wood for fuel, manufacture, and construction. Around the world, deforestation has significantly changed the terrain.

3. Biodiversity - The term "biodiversity" refers to the great variety of life that exists on Earth. It can be applied more precisely to all the species found in a certain area or environment. Every living creature, including plants, microorganisms, animals, and people, is referred to as biodiversity.

4. Pest problem - Insect pests can negatively and destructively affect agricultural productivity and market access, the environment, and our way of life. Pest insects can be an issue because they can harm crops and food production, parasitize livestock, or even just bother people and provide a health risk.

5. Industrial and agricultural waste disposal - The right utilization of by-products like rice husk and paddy straw has not been done. When these byproducts are burned, the amount of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide in the atmosphere increases, causing respiratory issues in both humans and animals. It is necessary to recycle agricultural wastes by operating businesses like dairy, poultry, and fisheries, processing byproducts, and plow organic stuff into the ground.

Agriculture's effects on the environment can be seen in the soil, water, air, variety of soil and animal life, humans, plants, and the food itself. Climate change, deforestation, biodiversity loss, dead zones, genetic engineering, irrigation concerns, pollution, soil degradation, and waste are only a few of the broader environmental problems agriculture contributes to.

As the environment continues to change, farmers are being forced to fundamentally alter the way they practice agriculture. Farmers all around the world are facing enormous challenges as a result of observably changing weather patterns, shorter growing seasons, harsh weather conditions, and several other developments.

The good news is that farmers have the ability to adjust to these changes and, as a result, dramatically lessen their own environmental effect.

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Environmental Impact of Agriculture

The idea that young people are the future of humanity is well-known. Young people are one of the keys to achieving sustainable development, particularly in developing countries, where the vast majority of them reside, often in rural areas. This simple observation needs to be combined with caution when it comes to agriculture and food systems because the employment and involvement of young people in these fields is also essential for the future of our food. The agri-food industry has a significant, untapped pool of employment prospects. However, the kids of today live in a world where several crises are simultaneously occurring, such as climate and environmental change, as well as worldwide disparities in food security, nutrition, employment, and human well-being. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought these preexisting trends to light and made them worse, necessitating a radical transformation of local and global food systems. In many countries, despite the wide variety of contexts, the observation is the same: it is crucial to increase the appeal of agriculture and food systems to young people in order to secure the future. Youth abandon food systems due to poor access to land, natural resources, infrastructure, financing, technology, and knowledge, as well as poor pay for employees and producers. Many people believe that moving, whether to a city or abroad, is their best option as a result. Actions are required to increase young people's interest in the agri-food industry and to support their ability to earn a living. Achieving food security and promoting good nutrition for all hinges on the involvement and leadership of young people. Interconnections with gender equality and women's empowerment, the continuum between rural and urban areas, and cutting-edge practices and technologies, such as new applications for data and knowledge-sharing platforms, are particularly pertinent among these features. The demand for the creation of programs, procedures, and policies that will attract more young people to careers in agriculture. Their growth will form a workstream that will improve the understanding of young people's agency, independence, and variety in connection to food security and nutrition. Aspects of employment, salaries, and working conditions should be examined. Rules, regulations, and policy approaches, including territorial approaches, aimed at addressing the complexity of structural economic, cultural, social, and spatial transformations currently taking place globally should also be reviewed. Finally, the potential of food systems and their impact on youth should be examined. Today's policymakers must come up with innovative solutions for bridging the gap between the economic prospects in agri-food systems and the variety of economic, demographic, and sociopolitical challenges that the youth face.

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Engaging Youth in Agriculture and Food Systems

Globalization refers to an increase in the movement of finance, input, output, information, and science across vast geographic areas. Gains from globalization boost net income in many areas, enabling reductions in poverty, and may even boost levels of food security. The criteria for gaining from globalization are, however, understated by the assumption of frictionless movement and complete knowledge.
 
By enabling agriculture to develop significantly faster than domestic consumption, globalization can significantly strengthen the role of agriculture as an engine of growth in low-income countries. Additionally, it improves the likelihood that agriculture will improve food security by acting as larger multipliers for the vast, labor-intensive, non-tradable rural non-farm economy. With such potential advantages, it is crucial to be aware of the requirements for participation and to make sure that these processes help the hungry and destitute escape poverty.
 
To meet global development goals, we need food systems that are wholesome, sustainable, and inclusive. One of the most effective strategies for reducing extreme poverty, fostering shared prosperity, and feeding the estimated 9.7 billion people by 2050 is agricultural development. Compared to other sectors, the agriculture sector's growth is two to four times more successful at increasing the incomes of the poorest people.
 
One can observe that agriculture has played a significant role in the process of the more developed nations' richness when one looks back on their past. For starters, agriculture needs to be able to generate enough food to sustain the expanding non-agricultural labor force if development is to take place. An economy cannot transition to such occupations unless food is available for barter or sale in sufficient numbers to support individuals engaged in them, as food is more vital for existence than are the services supplied by merchants, bankers, or factories. A country often doesn't grow industrially until its farmlands can supply its towns with food in return for the goods of other nations unless food can be obtained through international trade.
 
An expanding labor force is also necessary for economic progress. The majority of the employees required in an agricultural nation must come from the rural population. Therefore, agriculture must be able to produce the additional amount of food with a comparatively lower labor force in addition to providing a surplus of food for the towns. It might do this by progressively adopting labor-saving technologies or by replacing human power with animal power.
 
Insofar as it generates a surplus that can be used to acquire industrial machinery, construct roads, and offer public services, agriculture may also be a source of the capital required for industrial development.
 
The fact that the majority of the growth in agricultural productivity and the majority of the revenue gains are concentrated in a few areas rather than the entire nation presents a challenge when prioritizing agriculture. As agricultural prices fall, the remaining farmers are unable to produce more, and they actually end up losing out. There is no simple solution to that issue, but emerging nations must be aware of it because continued economic backwardness is consistent with economic advancement.
 
A significant section of the farm labor population must transition from agriculture to other industries as economic growth advances. As agriculture gets more mechanized, there will undoubtedly be a significant rise in output per worker, which will enable this fundamental shift in the labor force. This rise in production is the result of several reasons. The output per worker is likely to be higher where there is more land available since it is possible to utilize more machinery and fertilizer per worker.
 
Economic development and growth are significantly influenced by agriculture. It is a fundamental component of human existence since it provides nourishment. It is a significant contributor to economic activity in other areas since it provides industrial raw materials. Natural resources, especially land and water, are heavily used by the agricultural sector. Its actions have a significant impact on both the quality and accessibility of these resources. Agriculture has a significant impact on ecosystems and non-agricultural plants and animals, especially in terms of biodiversity, as an enterprise established on biology. Agriculture, like most human endeavors, has the potential to harm the environment (create negative environmental externalities) through soil erosion and deterioration, air and water pollution, and biodiversity loss. Contrary to many other forms of economic activity, agriculture may also produce favorable externalities, as evidenced by the construction and upkeep of beautiful landscapes and its role in managing water resources and preserving wildlife habitat.
 
For these reasons, a country seeking to develop its economy would be wise to place a significant priority on agriculture.


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Agriculture's Involvement in Globalization

The growing challenges in agriculture make it impossible to maintain sustainability. However, experts believe using blockchain in agriculture can permanently change this scenario. Let us look at why blockchain is so important in this industry.
Agriculture and agribusiness using blockchain technology are referred to as blockchain agriculture. Essentially, Blockchain technology is being used in agriculture and agribusiness by all stakeholders, including farmers, the farm produces wholesalers, food processing industries, and supply chain operators involved in every step from "farm to our plates.
Despite its vastness, the agricultural sector faces numerous challenges to its long-term viability. Every issue, from inhuman labor to a competitive marketplace, must be addressed in a timely manner. Otherwise, the entire ecosystem may collapse. We can already see that some of the infrastructures in rural areas is deteriorating. This is due to the sector's negligence. As a result, blockchain can assist this sector in dealing with ongoing threats while maintaining affordability throughout the ecosystem.
Even a decade ago, the agriculture industry was raging, but as the process has become more complex, many issues have piled up. They are now slowing down the agricultural supply chain due to a lack of proper attention. As a result, blockchain is more important than ever in this industry.
Rural agricultural infrastructure is gradually collapsing due to a variety of factors. Natural disasters, land degradation, and mass urbanization can all contribute to this. As a result, maintaining sustainability is difficult when the other elements are out of sync with the infrastructure. Furthermore, the lack of proper modernization of this sector results in losses, which causes the infrastructure to collapse.
Even large corporations can face similar problems if a support system is not in place. To keep the system running, every company requires elements such as roads, loans, and land. However, a lack of these elements can severely impede their business.
Another issue in this industry is a lack of automation and technology use. In reality, most farmers do not have the financial means to purchase expensive farming equipment or machinery. Furthermore, as the world changes and technology advances, many farming technologies are in place to assist farmers.
However, a lack of knowledge about this technology, as well as the funds to afford it, causes farmers to fall behind in the competition. In reality, large agricultural companies use all modern technology to increase efficiency. However, smallholder farmers are unable to follow the path.
In reality, many farming businesses lack the resources to manage their inventories using advanced technology. This can result in the waste of products and resources. Not to mention the losses the farmers must bear as a result of this. As a result, the farmers face a significant burden because they lack the necessary tools to address the issue.
They can change that scenario forever with blockchain technology in agriculture. Blockchain is ideal for inventory management. As a result, it can greatly assist farmers in keeping their inventories in perfect condition. Blockchain in agriculture has demonstrated how technology can change existing processes that have been in place for generations. Furthermore, blockchain can create a marketplace for farmers to receive their fair share of the value they deserve.


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The Impact of Blockchain on Agriculture

International investments are those made outside of domestic markets that provide portfolio diversification and risk-mitigation opportunities. An investor can make international investments to diversify his portfolio and broaden his return horizon. When domestic markets are confined and limited in their variety, international investments can help to add new financial instruments to the mix. Investors in one part of the world may find a variety of equity and debt instrument combinations being traded in another part of the world. International investments seek to assure investors of two probabilities: the offset of domestic market risks and foreign market opportunities.
Agriculture and the food system play a large economic role in many developing countries, ensuring the livelihoods of billions. As a result, it is critical to ensure that all investment in the sector, including large-scale private investors, is responsive to local needs and operates responsibly in accordance with international best practices. When done responsibly, increasing agricultural productivity, profitability, and sustainability can help fight poverty and achieve several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as ending hunger, ensuring decent work, and achieving gender equality.
International agricultural investments have the potential to have a wide range of social, economic, and environmental effects. They can be used to create jobs, provide rural infrastructure, connect smallholder farmers to global markets, introduce new productivity-enhancing technologies, and improve farmers' access to finance. Close collaboration between international investors and national governments, on the other hand, is critical to ensuring that new outside funds do not distort local markets or disadvantage local producers and smallholders. This can help to improve food security by increasing food availability and supply stability. Increased funds from international investments can help boost domestic crop production or strengthen other segments of a country's domestic agricultural value chain and increase calorie consumption.
While these advantages are substantial, international investments can have negative consequences if not carefully implemented with local input. Human rights violations, environmental degradation, and market distortions have been raised by some large-scale investment models. Large-scale, land-based investments that require relocation of people have displaced people and disrupted local value chains in some cases. Cultural disruptions are also possible as developing countries adopt unhealthy food consumption patterns, such as increased consumption of processed foods that are less nutritious than traditional diets.
International investments must be aligned with broader national development strategies to avoid these potential pitfalls and ensure a positive overall impact on food security. International investors must also play a role in directing their investments toward improved food security. Technological advancements can be detrimental to smallholders who lack the physical or technical capacity to adapt or remain competitive; therefore, investors should support small-scale producers by providing training, inputs, and access to finance to ensure their access to advancements
  
Agriculture investment will never be enough to achieve the global targets for sustainable development. Still, the right policies can leverage international investments to maximize social, economic, and environmental benefits while minimizing risks.


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How International Agricultural Investments Influence Food Security

The world is currently dealing with a number of issues, including food scarcity, global warming, and low crude oil prices. Africa, as a continent, is not immune to these global crises, given its role in crude oil exportation and grain importation. Youths now account for approximately 60% of Nigeria's population and have made significant contributions to national development over the years (Vision 2010 report, 2005), talking less of Africa. Unfortunately, the current environment makes it even more difficult to realize their full potential in agricultural production and encourage youth involvement in agriculture.
With Nigeria's current development agenda, agriculture is undoubtedly recognized as a significant economic pillar contributing significantly to the country's GDP. Agriculture development and the nation's ability to meet food and national security goals are inextricably linked. Agriculture is critical to the development of any nation, and this includes encouraging youth participation in the agricultural sector. Youth are the farming generation's successors, and thus the future of food security in Africa.
Aging smallholder farmers are less likely to adopt the new technologies required to sustain agricultural productivity growth. This initiative aims to change youths' negative perceptions of actively participating in agriculture, as farmers are perceived as uneducated, unskilled, and physical laborers with extremely low economic returns. Modern agriculture is more than just tilling the soil and raising animals; the industry now offers youths career opportunities in research, the environment, financial management, engineering, and technical fields.
According to the United Nations, "by 2030, six out of every ten people will live in a city, and by 2050, this proportion will increase to seven out of ten people," implying that more young people than ever are moving to cities and towns to find work, leaving few behind to work in rural areas. With the predicted concentration of the global population in cities, it is easier to understand why the number of young farmers is declining year after year. There is an urgent need to increase and sustain young people's interest in and participation in agricultural production activities.
The ACP-EU Technical Centre for Agriculture and Rural Cooperation (CTA) creates policies, markets, and an Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) program to show young people the value of agricultural innovation. Agriculture gives the next generation the opportunity to make a difference by producing enough food to feed the entire world. Those who become farmers now have the opportunity to be the generation that ends world hunger and malnutrition while also assisting the agricultural sector in adapting to climate change. The increase in technological advancement and mechanization can also help deter young people from stereotypes of traditional farming and change their perceptions of agriculture, allowing them to see it as an exciting and innovative industry. RiceAfrika is one of such hub that helps farmers triple crop yields while ensuring product offtake through their data-driven mobile platform. We assist farmers in gaining market access while ensuring product traceability by connecting them with manufacturers, produce buyers, and input buyers.
Passion and interest are two interconnected states of caring, emotion, and feelings for something. According to the findings, the majority of young people have no interest in farming. They instead develop what is known as a "quick money mentality," which stems from the high pay in the oil and gas sector of the economy and instills skepticism toward long-term investments such as agribusiness. It has been discovered that farming activities were perceived as a low-wage, illiterate, elderly, and rural jobs, and thus denigrated. As a result, regardless of the efforts/incentives attached to the empowerment program to attract youths, a small number of them still believe that participation in such a program is demeaning and thus not appropriate for an enlightened youth; this has a negative impact on the rate of youth participation in agriculture.
Attention should be paid to the factors that lead to youth migration to urban areas in order to improve youth participation in agricultural production and processing in Nigeria. Furthermore, the economic constraints that young farmers face (lack of credit, low profitability, capacity constraints, etc.) should be thoroughly examined. Initiatives such as agro-based contests and exhibitions/fairs to encourage already budding agriculturists within this youth demographic must be developed and implemented to drive interest by celebrating winners and grooming them as solution providers for the sector's identified challenges. The importance of advocacy through media channels relevant to youths cannot be overstated. This will typically include the promotion of reputable personalities from popular industries such as entertainment, business, and technology who are involved in agricultural activities in order to encourage and champion the cause of youth participation in agriculture.


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YOUTH INCLUSION IN AGRICULTURE

Agricultural revolutions are significant changes in agriculture that occur as a result of inventions, discoveries, or the implementation of new technologies. These revolutions alter production methods and increase output rates.
An agricultural revolution occurs when farming techniques improve dramatically in a relatively short period of time. This results in increased food production. In human history, three agricultural revolutions have occurred. The Neolithic Revolution, also known as the First Agricultural Revolution, began around 10,000 B.C. Humans evolved from hunter-gatherers to subsistence farmers and herders. The Second Agricultural Revolution, also known as the British Agricultural Revolution, began in the 18th century, roughly 300 years ago. Selective breeding of livestock and systematic crop rotation were two major changes in farming techniques. The Third Agricultural Revolution, also known as the Green Revolution, occurred in the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. Plant technology advancements enabled much higher crop yields.
Other significant agricultural developments occurred during this agricultural revolution. Beginning around 6,000 B.C., humans in China used flood and fire control to create rice paddies. They domesticated water buffalos and yaks in order to consume their meat and milk, as well as to use their hair and hide to make clothing. Humans selectively bred a wild plant called teosinte to create maize or corn in Mexico. The oldest known corn cob dates back to 3,500 B.C. These same people cultivated squash, which became a staple food throughout the Americas. Humans grew potatoes in the Andes Mountains of South America at the same time.
Kofi Annan, the then-Secretary-General of the United Nations, called for a "uniquely African Green Revolution in the Twenty-First Century" in 2004, signaling the need for African countries to refocus their attention on agriculture. Following the food crises in West and East Africa, the concept of a "green" revolution based on agricultural production has gained traction. For decades, most countries' agricultural sectors have withered due to a lack of resources, making African countries net importers of food, despite agriculture employing the majority of the population. To reverse this trend, it is clear that agriculture must be reinvested in. This reinvestment presents a number of opportunities, not only for increased food security and improved livelihoods, but also for economic growth and private sector development
There is ample evidence to suggest that improved technologies and markets can significantly increase yields in Africa. When given the chance, Africa's small farmers have proven to be no less entrepreneurial or efficient than their Asian counterparts. However, realizing this potential on a large scale would necessitate a significant increase in public investment in agricultural research and rural infrastructure, as well as more supportive agricultural policies from African governments, such as collaboration with private firms to strengthen input-supply systems and food grain markets.
An African green revolution would create many productive agricultural jobs and lift many people out of poverty. Higher yields would allow many small farmers to free up land and labor for more profitable uses by securing family food supplies. It would also boost local demand for higher-value foods as well as non-farm goods and services, resulting in more productive jobs in rural areas.
The question then becomes, how can agricultural reinvestment improve livelihoods? What potential does agribusiness have for African growth? Finally, who are the best positioned to initiate and support change in this sector?
The relationship between agriculture, the private sector, and the government should be addressed. Commercial agriculture has high potential and provides significant returns on investment in Africa while also improving livelihoods. This is a discovery, while improvements have been made in recent years to revitalize African agriculture, the potential remains largely untapped. It then describes the opportunities available in this sector.
Finally, considerations should be placed on which actors should be involved in the commercialization process, with a focus on the public and private sectors. It contends that, while the government has a significant responsibility to support agriculture, the private sector should be given significant leeway to provide products and services that can successfully supplement government support while encouraging agricultural production and distribution.


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Agricultural Revolution In Africa

There was a time when agriculture and technology were at opposite ends of the value chain. Not any longer. Today, not only do we have ample evidence to substantiate the role of technology in agriculture but also point to its irrevocable dependency on farming operations.
Agriculture began independently in various parts of the world. Agriculture's development around 12,000 years ago altered the way humans lived. They transitioned from nomadic hunter-gatherers to permanent settlements and farming. In the past,  agriculture was considered a poor man's work; however, agriculture is now capital-intensive, with varying levels of product involvement. You can tailor your level of involvement to your preferences. Agriculture is nature's best and first profession.
Agriculture has always been regarded as a secondary subject and has never received the attention it deserves. Why do you believe it is integrated into science education at the elementary and secondary levels? In order to have a broader range of career options when studying science, I believe that every science student should be exposed to the possibility of studying agriculture as a science.
Ask any high school student studying science what they want to be in the future (excluding those in agricultural high schools, who are in the minority), and the majority will say they want to be a nurse, engineer, doctor, physicist, or pharmacist. They rarely say, "I want to be a plant breeder, horticulturist, vet, or farmer." Is it possible to blame them? No, because they have never been exposed to agriculture as a science.
Anyway, when one goes through these life experiences on the farm, one realizes that farming life is difficult; however, because this is the only way to grow food to feed ourselves, the farmers continue to work on farms to feed themselves and the rest of the community.
So, I believe that it would be appropriate if the rest of the community appreciated the farmer's efforts and that they should be thanking them for all of the hard work that they have done, after all, they are providing all of the necessary ingredients to make food for the rest of the community. 
However, times have changed, and technology has infiltrated the agricultural sector. There is a lot that can be done using technology, from high-tech methods to find the best quality seeds to the best agricultural processes and crops or produce. At the same time, farmers' revenue is expected to rise as a result of technological advancements. Technology has brought about a revolution in the agricultural sector, but it must be widely accepted and appreciated. The importance of technology in agriculture for its improvement and development cannot be over-emphasized.
First and foremost, technology has brought machines to farms. Farmers use various types of machines to cultivate the land rather than the traditional methods, which require not only a lot of time but also a lot of labour. Farmers can now cultivate more than 2 acres of land with less labour and in a shorter amount of time thanks to technological advancements. It also significantly reduces costs. Farmers use harvesters, planters, tractors, and other harvesting technology, which makes the overall process simple and convenient. Time and production are the two most important factors in agriculture, and modern agricultural technology allows fewer farmers to grow large quantities of crops in a short period of time.
Everyone believes that it is the last profession for the elderly. But to be honest, agriculturists, like other professionals, need to claim their space.


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Agriculture: Nature's Best and First Profession

Mechanization is a multifaceted concept that is widely used in agriculture. However, there is a significant difference in the implementation of mechanization in developed and developing nations. Given the obstacles they face in all aspects of their economy, including feeding a growing population, reducing poverty, protecting the environment, managing the effects of climate change, and combating malnutrition, developing countries tend to design their food security strategies, which may contribute to a reduction in economic growth and political instability. The strategy's goal is to lead to sustainable agricultural development and, ultimately, food security through the use of relevant technologies.
Mechanization is used for more than just tilling the land; it is also used for planting, harvesting, processing, and storing produce. Increased levels of mechanization will boost social and economic processes in both on-farm and off-farm roles in rural communities. By reducing the drudgery of farm work and improving yields, mechanization will not only result in increased employment, but will also improve land management, productivity, and crop quality.
One of the benefits of mechanized agriculture is that it has the potential to attract young people to farms and help to reduce Africa's high youth unemployment, which accounts for roughly 60% of the total unemployed. A harvester or tractor can prepare a field for planting in eight hours which would take 40 days to prepare by hand. Renting a harvester is also less expensive than hiring farm labor. It may seem counterintuitive in these markets with low labor costs, but paying a human to do this is still much more expensive than a harvester.
Labor is also becoming increasingly scarce as more Africans migrate to cities and existing farmers retire. Using a tractor can assist farmers in planting fields in time for rain, and because planting with a tractor is more consistent than planting by hand, it can also improve yields; however, governments must increase investments in the sector.
It is time for the continent to reconsider; it must abandon the hoe and cutlass in favor of modern technology, which will perform the same tasks far more efficiently. Without mechanized agriculture, productivity suffers greatly, resulting in lower farm earnings. Technologies to achieve Africa's green revolution exist but are mostly dormant. The challenge is a lack of supportive policies to ensure that they are implemented on a large enough scale to reach millions of farmers.
To achieve long-term food security, here are a few recommendations for the agricultural sector based on the identified factors:
As a critical step toward increasing productivity, African countries should develop national agricultural mechanization investment plans.
Successful mechanization will be critical in addressing major challenges on the continent, such as spiraling food import costs and widespread rural unemployment.
To ensure that affordable and appropriate technology is used, public-private partnerships should be used to develop local machinery industries.
Tax breaks and smart subsidies are being used to encourage the private sector to invest in mechanization.


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Agriculture Mechanization

Supply chain shocks in one country have severe consequences in other parts of the world in today's globally connected world. The end result is food insecurity.
Food, one of the most important resources on the planet, is already a major item on the global agenda
The proportion of Africans who are malnourished has steadily increased, more people in Africa are at risk of becoming food insecure. According to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 54.2% of Africans experienced moderate to severe food insecurity in 2019. Acute food insecurity increased by more than 60% between 2020 and 2021. The global halting of supply chains as a result of governments' pandemic response exacerbated an already severe but simmering crisis which emphasizes, more than ever, that Africa cannot afford to rely on third-party supply chains for basic food production. This raises a critical question: "Who will feed Africa?"
In Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, data from the World Bank show that the proportion of Nigerian adults experiencing moderate or severe food insecurity increased from 48.5% in 2019 to 75.5% in 2021. While Africa's tiny middle class may complain about rising food prices on social media, the people most affected by food inflation are those with already meager incomes, the majority of which is spent on food. However, food prices are not the only thing rising. Prices for agricultural inputs used to produce food are also rising.
Agriculture, mostly of the subsistence variety, already employs between 65% and 70% of Africans. Higher trade taxes on African agricultural exports in comparison to other regions incentivize food importation; and a combination of climate change, conflict, continued reliance on rain-fed agriculture, and a focus on growing cash crops over food crops makes agriculture in Africa unappealing, inefficient, and even risky.
However, transforming African agriculture into an entrepreneurial venture holds great promise for solving the continent's perennial food problem while also creating a large number of jobs and improving trade imbalances. Every year, Africa imports approximately $50 billion in food. Even minor improvements in productivity, land management, and agricultural input use can have a significant impact.
Smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa are trapped in a productivity trap, which limits their economic development potential under current policy initiatives. Despite accounting for 80% of Africa's total food production, Africa's smallholder farms, on which approximately 300 million people rely, are frequently food insecure. Farms must eventually become more productive in order to generate economic growth, lift smallholder farmers out of poverty, and reduce food insecurity in these systems.
Aside from the productivity issue, there is also the issue of insufficient policy initiatives to support economic growth through agriculture, which raises the question of how Africa's population will be fed in the future. What it boils down to for the future of feeding Africa's rapidly growing population is the need for industrialization—this is what will allow economies to grow and small-scale farms to become more productive, which is not a popular viewpoint in many areas.
The discussion about feeding Africa begins with a commitment to discovering and expanding innovation, policy, and action that can drive food sustainability, one of which is mechanized farming. That is how we can build food resilience and finally put an end to the stigma of being associated with food insecurity and starvation. The question still remains, Who will feed Africa? The answer lies within Africa. We believe Africa can feed herself.


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Who Will Feed Africa?

The Giant Footprints of Ukhuse-oke in Owan-West L.G.A: - The very distinct footprints of a prehistoric giant are permanently embedded on the flat granite rocks in a sacred grove between Ukhuse-oke and Ukhuse-osi in lulehe clan of Owan west local government area. Some believe the footprints were created when the world was still molten.
Owan are a Nigerian ethnic group who live in the northern part of Edo State. Owan is currently divided into two LGAs, Owan East and Owan West, and is home to numerous clans, the most notable of which are: Ihievbe, Emai people, Iuleha land, Ora, Igue, Uokha, Otuo, and others.
A large number of tourists from all over the world come here to see these magnificent relics, which presents a challenge for archaeologists and anthropologists.
 
Thank you for reading, in our last article we talked about the 5 Amazing benefits of eating rice, read. Till our next article tell us on our social media what you know about The Giant Footprints of Ukhuse-oke. 


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The Giant Footprints of Ukhuse-oke

Rice is known to be a good source of various vitamins like niacin, thiamin, and riboflavin, and offers various health benefits. Brown rice is also rich in fiber and manganese, thereby improving digestion and overall health.
It also has the ability to provide instant energy, regulate and improve bowel movements, and manage blood sugar levels. It also plays a role in providing vitamin B1 to the human body.
 
        Here are 5 Amazing Health benefits of Rice;
          1.   Can Help Reduce Cancer Risks
Consuming high fibre food like rice helps reduce your chances of getting cancer! Rice's high-fiber properties aid in digestion and lowering blood pressure. In return, you have a healthier body overall. And keeping a healthy digestive tract means that the body's waste does not sit for long periods of time. By keeping the flow moving, there is a lower chance of this waste interacting with healthy cells within the body. This is good for fighting against and preventing intestinal cancer and colorectal cancer. But rice doesn't end its battle with cancer there.
          2.     Prevent Obesity
Rice forms an integral part of a balanced diet as it can provide nutrients without having any negative impacts on health. Potentially low levels of fat, cholesterol, and sodium also help reduce obesity and associated conditions.  Because rice has low amounts of sodium, fat, and cholesterol, it is a great aid in reducing obesity. It's rich in nutrients and has no significant negative impacts on a person's health.
          3.    Natural Anti- Inflammation & Gluten Free
Rice naturally does not contain any gluten and hence, causes no inflammation in the gut. This means that people suffering from celiac disease can easily include it in their diet. Add rice to your diet without worry because it is gluten-free, there won't be inflammation in your gut. It is important to always look for ways to reduce inflammation throughout our bodies, and this is why rice is a great feature for any diet.
          4.     Good source of Energy
Rice is a good source of carbohydrates; helps boost overall energy in the body. Carbohydrates are metabolized by the body and turned into functional, usable energy. Our bodies rely on a good amount of carbohydrates to act as fuel. When carbohydrates enter our systems, our bodies work to transform those good carbohydrates into energy. This also helps to ensure proper brain function, as the brain takes this source of energy and uses it as well. Other components found in rice such as all the minerals, vitamins, and much more all aid in increasing the metabolic activity for all of the body's organs.
          5.     Improve Skin Care
As per a study published in the journal Pharmaceutical Biology, rice bran has bioactive compounds that help prevent aging. They are also used in various skincare products. It is also shown to have possibly antioxidant and skin-hydrating potential. Medical experts say that powdered rice can be applied topically to cure skin conditions.
 
Tell us in the comment section what other benefits of eating rice you know ! 
 
Till our next post read How rice is planted


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5 Amazing benefits of eating Rice!

The environment, soil qualities, biotic conditions, and cultural practices all have an impact on rice growth and output. Rainfall and water, temperature, photoperiod, solar radiation, and, in some cases, tropical storms are all environmental influences. Rice may be grown in a variety of conditions, depending on the availability of water. Rice does not thrive in a wet environment, but it can survive and develop here, as well as survive flooding.
Rice can be planted in two ways: directly seeded or transplanted.
Direct seeding of Rice is the process of starting a rice crop from seeds sowed in the field rather than seedlings transplanted from a nursery. Direct seeded plants take less labor and mature more quickly than transplanted plants. Plants are not subjected to stress in this procedure, such as being plucked from the soil and having to re-establish fine rootlets. Weeds, on the other hand, pose a greater threat.
Direct seeding can be done in two ways, depending on the land preparation method used:
1.	Dry direct seeding, which is most commonly used in rain fed and deep-water habitats. Farmers sow seed onto a dry soil surface, then plough or harrow the seed into the soil.
2.	Wet direct sowing; in wet fields, direct seeding can be done with a drum seeder or by spreading seeds into the muck.
            In Asia, rice transplanting is the most common and comprehensive method of crop establishment. 15 to 40 days after seeding, rice seedlings cultivated in a nursery are removed and replanted into puddled and leveled fields. Rice seedlings can be transplanted either manually or mechanically. This is done to increase yields while reducing weeding.
1.	Manual transplanting does not necessitate the purchase of expensive machines and is best suited to labor-scarce areas and small rice fields. In fields with less-than-ideal leveling and variable water levels, manual transplanting is possible. Wet, dry, or modified mat nurseries are used to nurture seedlings. Healthy and strong seedlings will result from proper nursery care.
2.	Machine transplanting entails a machine placing immature rice plants into puddled soil. Machine transplanting is quick and efficient, requires less labor, and ensures timely planting, all while lowering stress, work load, and health concerns. Machine transplanting improves regular spacing, plant density, and speedier seedling recovery.
The following factors should be considered when selecting an appropriate planting method: location, soil type, rice environment, and input and labor availability. When it comes to planting a crop in the field, knowing when to plant is vital. Planting into a well-prepared seedbed at the right time will result in a fast-growing, uniform crop with higher yields and improved resistance to weeds and other pests.


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