Expert view
Tanzania
12 October 2023
Celebrating small-scale farmers this World Food Day
Photo: Kababah Digital Media
In Africa, there are an estimated 33 million small-scale farms, producing around 70% of Africa’s food supply¹. Despite this, people in rural areas account for 90% of people living in poverty in sub-Saharan Africa².
Limited access to training, seeds, finance and markets plus the changing climate and extreme weather events are just some of the challenges smallholder farmers face.
But if we invest in rural people and their food systems, agriculture has the power to reduce poverty. In fact, according to the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), growth from agriculture can be up to 11 times more effective at reducing extreme poverty than any other sector.
On World Food Day, 16 October, Farm Africa is proud to celebrate farmers and rural food producers we support. Scroll through our photo gallery to meet some of our food heroes across eastern Africa.
"Everything makes you happy: taking care of the plants, having them growing big. Vegetables have good benefits for us. The income we have been earning supports our livelihoods. That means a lot for me." - Sihen, Ethiopia.
"We were cutting down trees and didn’t realise how important trees were. But then we started beekeeping and now we realise it is important for us to preserve the forest for the bees. Now we earn an income from forest products." - Joyce, Tanzania.
"I have never seen such kind of chronic drought in my life. The situation is getting worse." - Deboh, Ethiopia.
"Those who follow Farm Africa’s [farming] methods have seen a positive change and their harvests increased." - Margaret, Kenya.
"Farm Africa have taught me how to incorporate climate-smart soil and water conservation techniques into my farming practice, which I have been able to teach others too. Whatever the season, I always have food on my farm." - Justus, Kenya.
You can join forces with Farm Africa this World Food Day and show your support for farmers across eastern Africa with our World Food Day social media graphics. Download the graphics below and post them across your social media channels to raise awareness of the importance of sustainable agriculture this World Food Day.
- Download social media graphic one
- Download social media graphic two
- Download social media graphic three
- Download social media graphic fourÂ
If you’d like to get your company involved, there are lots of meaningful things you can do too. From foodie fundraisers to office awareness drives, every action you and your colleagues take will help farmers build sustainable rural communities for generations to come. Find out more and get involved here.
