From the Field Spring 2024
Our latest newsletter is here!
We're excited to share these inspiring stories showcasing the resilience of small-scale farmers, who are at the forefront of creating a more sustainable and equitable food system.
In a world where the climate crisis is accelerating, the importance of sustainable agriculture cannot be overstated, especially for small-scale farmers.
With your support, we can build a future where sustainable farming not only safeguards the environment but also nurtures the livelihoods of those who depend on it.
Towards a brighter future
Join us in building livelihoods and tackling climate change
SAVING UP FOR SUCCESS, TOGETHER!
Access to loans or savings can often be tricky in rural parts of eastern Africa. Especially if you are a woman. But Farm Africa knows there is power in feeling invested, both literally and metaphorically, in your local community.
Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs) are self-managed groups who meet to save their money and access small loans. They are often part of our projects for one simple reason — they work!
Learn more about how Farm Africa promotes access to finance
Staff Spotlight: Meet Anissa Msallem
Anissa leads Farm Africa’s Partnerships team and has been at Farm Africa since 2022. She began her career in financial services before transitioning to the third sector. Before joining Farm Africa she worked at WaterAid and Plan International UK. She is also a keen baker and singer, with a fondness for adventure…
PURÉE SUCCESS FOR YOUNG TOMATO GROWERS IN TANZANIA
In Tanzania, many young people are unemployed due to limited job opportunities and a lack of access to finance and land.
Farm Africa’s Youth and women in agribusiness project aims to sustainably increase the incomes of over 60,000 young and female farmers in the Dodoma and Singida regions.
You can also learn about how we are bringing climate-smart agriculture and coffee farming together...
Last year, Caroline Asiimwe, our technical manager for markets and value chains, visited the scenic coffee districts of south-western Uganda. As a passionate advocate for climate-smart agriculture, she went to uncover the challenges and opportunities facing the coffee sector.
Navigating coffee markets
Our work in Uganda, together with investment from government and coffee companies, has helped smallholder farmers enter the coffee market. Yet, recent EU regulations have introduced the need for a deforestation free supply chain that may negatively affect farmers’ access to markets.
Smallholder farmers require thoughtful support to ensure the sustained presence of their beans on the global stage.
Empowering women in coffee
Pictured above in red is Innocent Asiimwe, a remarkable 41-year-old coffee farmer challenging norms in Kanungu. Like many women, she believed coffee farming was a realm reserved for men because of land ownership, typically controlled by men.
Thanks to the Kanungu Coffee Farmers’ Cooperative Society, supported by Farm Africa, Innocent now owns 1.5 acres of land on which to farm coffee. The cooperative's work is breaking through social and cultural biases, enabling more women and young people to actively participate in decision making.
Sustainable solutions to weathering the storm
Picture verdant hills and coffee farms set on winding roads – still, climate
change poses a formidable challenge to coffee farmers here. Sustainable agriculture, which focuses on healing the land, rather than solely profit, is needed.
And that is what Farm Africa is encouraging: an eco-friendly approach to cultivating resilience in this precious coffee region.
