News

This report presents an analysis of the implementation and results of the SWITCH Africa Green programme in the agriculture sector focusing on the participating countries Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, South Africa and Uganda.

Ober Child Mothers Association is a youth farmer group that was established in 2012 in Barr Sub County of Lira District in northern Uganda. It trains young mothers in sustainable food production, helping them achieve financial and food security. The group has 30 women under the age of 35.

Euphorbeie Garden is a family enterprise that has been operational for 25 years focusing on growing exotic flowers. They participated in the SWITCH Africa Green training on floral arrangement under the sustainable horticultural training.

As a result of implementing the various concepts from the training, they have recorded increased revenues, especially in December when there were many events. Their clients include wed- dings, and other celebrations such as funerals and church flower displays. The enterprise also uses pots made out of coconut which help retain moisture.

Christian is a 27-year-old alumni of Centre de Formation Agricole Frere Remy, which is a SWITCH Africa Green grantee. He has participated in different trainings on sustainable agriculture with a focus on chicken rearing. After his time at Frere Remy, he did not fully grasp the respon- sibility and the skill needed to run a farm.

By adopting sustainable agricultural practices, Herman Agathe has managed to increase his flock from 4 animals to 126 animals. He has pigs, goats, sheep, chicken, ducks and cows in his flock. Based in Roche Bon Dieu, Rodrigues Island, Herman is an exceptional 18-year old who has managed to reap benefits from his hard work.

Cassava is one of the major foods consumed in Ghana. It is a major contributor to food security and livelihood in rural areas. Cassava is normally processed to flour using thermal energy before it is consumed or traded. In addition, the consumption of this product in schools, urban and rural areas across the country coupled with recent high demand of the product in other West African countries, makes the product a viable business venture. The community in Adaklu produces and cooks cassava (gari) for their own consumption and for sale.

South Africa recently suffered its worst drought in recorded history, with devastating consequences for communities and wildlife in the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere, which borders the famed Kruger National Park. Utah Village is one of the villages located close to Kruger National Park. It also falls in the area that has been under quarantine for the last 15 years due to the contagious foot and mouth disease.

Otis Seeds deals in agribusiness including processing and selling of seeds, mainly, early germination seeds. The company buys seeds from MSMEs then processes the seeds and sells them. Otis works with various partners including the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), local government, Plan international and WFP among others.

The Adwoa Youth Group concentrates on growing sesame, sunflower and chillies. It has 30 members and was founded in 2013. It operates in an area with many child mothers. The group started as a drama and acting self-help group and has previously worked with Plan International on previous projects on child mothers.

Kabarole Grain Millers buys grains (mainly maize) from local farmers and mills it for sale in Fort Portal as well as other surrounding towns. The business premises has two rooms: one for the milling which contains the sorting and milling equipment; the other has the finished product and the office space.