The magazine for agricultural and rural development in ACP countries http://spore.cta.int N°157 february-march 2012 interview

Sindiso Ngwenya,

Secretary-General of COMESA

ACP AGRICULTURAL TRADE Emerging countries. A new Eldorado? Kola nut More than just a symbol

URBAN AGRICULTURE City farmers

table of contents Spore N° 157 - february-march 2012

ACP AGRICULTURAL TRADE Sindiso Ngwenya Emerging Strength in Editorial Adding value countries. A numbers The term ‘value chain’ new Eldorado? has become very much in vogue in the past decade 4 COVER STORY 12 interview among those working in agricultural development, URBAN AGRICULTURE with an increasing number of aid organisations using it City farmers to guide their development interventions, both for upgrading existing chains and promoting innovation and as a tool to identify market access opportunities for small farmers. CTA’s Strategic Plan for 2011-15 identifies value chain improvement as being essential for agricultural and rural development. 13 dossier As a first step, we commissioned a ‘Mapping Study’ to better understand how the value chain concept was being used in ACP countries 4 | Cover story and the potential role for CTA. This study 6 | News stressed that CTA could best assist in areas such as improving capacities, promoting 7 | Crops stakeholder networking and facilitating 8 | Fisheries and livestock knowledge sharing. These are, of course, core 9 | Environment areas of CTA’s expertise, which we can now apply to value chain development issues. 10 | Research We are also planning a major international 11 | Business and trade conference in November, to bring together agricultural value chain practitioners from 12 | Interview around the world and expose policymakers, the private sector, civil society and others 13 | DOSSIER to the major issues. Topics likely to be Urban agriculture: city farmers discussed include how value chains can be environmentally sustainable, how small- Source of food and revenue, urban agriculture is becoming increasingly popular. scale pilot interventions can be ‘scaled up’ to 17 | Viewpoint a commercial size, the role of governments in Job Ndebele: planning urban spaces supporting value chain development, financing Planning is crucial if conflicts are to be avoided. of value chains and capacity development, including making existing materials more 18 | Field report relevant to ACP users. We hope that many of Kenya: vertical gardens and mini greenhouses the speakers will come from the ACP’s private Sacks and mini greenhouses produce impressive results. sector to talk about their innovative approaches to value chain development. 20 | Sector We will also publish a special issue of Spore Kola nut: more than just a symbol on agricultural value chains prior to the Conference. 21 | Publications Michael Hailu 25 | Get on board with CTA Director - CTA

is the bi-monthly magazine of the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA). CTA operates under the Cotonou Agreement between the countries of the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group and the European Union and is financed by the EU. • Postbus 380 • 6700 AJ Wageningen, The Netherlands • Tel: +31 317 467 100 • Fax: +31 317 460 067 • Email: [email protected] • Website: www.cta.int • publisher: Michael Hailu • Editorial Board: Thierry Doudet, Stéphane Gambier, Anne Legroscollard, Armelle Degrave, Isolina Boto, Vincent Fautrel, José Filipe Fonseca, Ibrahim Tiémogo • MARKETING : Thérèse Burke • Editorial staff: Executive editor: Marie-Agnès Leplaideur • Editor of French version and coordinator: Anne Perrin • Syfia International, 20 rue du Carré-du-Roi, 34 000 Montpellier, France • Editor of English version: Clare Pedrick • Via dello Spagna 18, 06049 Spoleto (PG), Italy • Editor of Portuguese version: João de Azevedo, Sítio Alportel 20 A, 8150-014 S, Brás de Alportel, Portugal • Correspondents: the following contributed to this issue: N Ackbarrally (Madagascar and Mauritius), B Bafana (Zimbabwe), I Esipisu (Kenya), G Kamadi (Kenya), A Labey (France), S Maâzou (Niger), I Maïga (Burkina Faso), W Mawire (Zimbabwe), D Mitchell (Jamaica), M Mumero (Kenya), A Nabwowe (Uganda), F Nangoli (Uganda), C Nforgang (Cameroon), C Njeru (Kenya), J Saizonou (Benin), M Seck (Senegal) and A Taitt (Barbados) • other contributors: L Andahazy-Colo, J Bodichon, J Cessou, L de Araújo, Tradcatts, Trado Verso • Layout and

Cover photo: © FAO/J Koelen © FAO/J photo: Cover design: Intactile DESIGN, France • Printer: Pure Impression, France • © CTA 2012 – ISSN 1011-0054 february-march 2012 | SPORE 157 | 3 COVER STORY

ACP AGRICULTURAL TRADE Emerging countries. A new Eldorado? The ‘emerging’ countries are carving out a role as new players in ACP agricultural trade. Their traditional partner, the EU, no longer has exclusive rights. Is this just a passing phase or does it signal an irreversible shift?

ith a market of 900 million people in 2010, Coveted raw materials a figure that is expected to reach 2 billion However, while the partners may be ‘new’, the trade they in 2050, Africa is much sought after by the are engaged in is all too familiar: African countries are ‘emerging countries’ – developing coun- exporting raw materials and the emerging countries are Wtries that are not part of the group of Least Developed exporting processed goods. In the case of the Caribbean, Countries and which are often known by the acronym the situation is slightly different, with several countries BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) and its variants, developing exports of products with high added value. BRICS, which includes South Africa and BRIICS which The Jamaican government is placing more emphasis on includes Indonesia. Characterised by their rapid integra- the role of private companies in identifying and develop- tion into the global economy in the trade and finance sec- ing new markets, especially in China. tors, common features of the emerging countries include The bulk of Africa’s trade is with Brazil, China and a booming population, strong economic growth and a India, all of which view agriculture as a priority sector. For BRICS Cooperation burgeoning middle class. BRICS account for more than China, the stakes are both economic and diplomatic and Forum, Sanya, Hainan Province, 40% of the world population and 18% of global GDP. pragmatism is the order of the day. One-tenth of African China, 2011 Brazil and India are also seeking to become perma- nent members of the UN Security Council, and the 54 African states are important allies when it comes to votes or negotiations within international organisations. From the ACP perspective, a key priority is to strengthen the regional integration process, encouraging countries to form larger economic groupings and promote growth and investment. Current negotiations to launch a tripartite agreement between the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are evidence of this trend (see interview with Sindiso Ngwenya, COMESA Secretary-General, page 12). This new scenario is leading to a rethinking of the North- South relations forged after Independence and offers new opportunities for emerging countries. Brazil, China and India are agricultural powerhouses that carry considerable weight within the WTO. Their agricultural policies or imports and exports have strong repercussions on world trade and especially on food security in Africa, as shown by the 2007-2008 crises. All these countries have taken a growing interest in Africa’s oil and mining natural resources, and in its ara- ble land. The growth of some African countries is also proving strong and, if macro-economic indicators are to be believed, the trend is standing up well to the global economic crisis. Trade between Africa and BRICS rose 20-fold between 1990 and 2008, reaching US$166 bil- lion (€127.34 billion), according to a study by Standard Bank. 4 | Spore 157 | february-march 2012 COVER STORY exports now go to China, which has extended the list of put them within reach of many small-scale producers who duty-free African products from 190 to 4,000. China has previously could not afford them. a pressing need for raw materials, especially agricultural ones such as cotton, timber and cocoa. As far as Chinese New risks and opportunities agricultural exports to Africa are concerned, rice and tea New trade flows, new investments – the arrival of the continue to dominate, with West Africa accounting for emerging countries in ACP countries clearly signals a new nearly 40% of Chinese exports in 2008. The dynamism of era. These new partners are potential sources of technol- Brazilian President Lula, who visited 20 African countries ogy transfer, and the relocation of manufacturing units to in two mandates, has paid dividends. For this country, a Africa cannot be ruled out. The emerging countries are key commodity is cotton and the signing of the ‘Cotton also investing in research. A case in point is China, which 4’ agreement (with Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mali) recently opened an agricultural research station in Benin has made the expertise of Brazil’s cotton sector available to carry out trials on high potential sectors such as palm to West African producers, with a budget of US$700,000 oil, for which Benin is expecting an investment of more (€535,299). The rice sector is also noteworthy: although than US$9 billion (€7.05 billion). barely self-sufficient until 2 or 3 years ago, Brazil now But most investments carried out by the emerging coun- exports to Southern and Eastern Africa (Benin, Nigeria, tries appear to be made without much concern for the Senegal and South Africa) and the Caribbean (Cuba, Haiti environment or sustainable development. For this reason, and Trinidad and Tobago), competing with the Asian increased production of palm oil, which contributes to countries and also the USA. deforestation, is highly controversial. It is also important that these new relationships do not Complementary partner hamper the already complex process of regional integra- Is the EU likely to suffer from these new trade relations? tion. These partnerships do not always take regional eco- Faced with a serious debt crisis, it too must contend with nomic communities into account. There is also a risk that shrinking markets. The development of relations between ACP countries will confine themselves to being exporters emerging countries and the Caribbean has brought about of agricultural raw materials. And fallout from a possible a sweeping change in the trade relations between that slowdown in Brazilian, Chinese and Indian growth is a region and the EU, according to a report published by the danger that must be kept in mind. European Centre for Development Policy Management However, the fact remains that the entry of emerging (ECDPM). The paper observes that although the EU will countries into ACP agricultural markets, and the comple- remain a stable and strategic partner in the Caribbean, mentary role they must play at a time of global crisis, is a the current negotiation of a Joint Caribbean–EU Strategy window of opportunity that cannot be ignored. is “in part informed by the recognition of the EU that its position and influ- ence in the region is being To find out more challenged.” The USA shares similar CTA fears, especially regarding Brussels Development Briefings on ‘New drivers, the growing and strate- new players in ACP rural development’ gic positioning of Chinese http://tinyurl.com/yho62tj interests. Nevertheless, Agritrade trade with Africa continues http://agritrade.cta.int/en/ to account for more than ECDPM 40% of EU commerce, for a www.ecdpm.org total value of US$256 bil- lion (€200.7 billion), three GAFSP times the level of trade The Global Agriculture and Food Security Programme www.gafspfund.org/gafsp/ with China. The volume of African-EU trade is only International Poverty Reduction Center in declining in relative terms, China (IPRC) due to the very rapid China Africa in Agriculture. A background paper on trade, investment and aid in agriculture growth of trade with the IPRC Beijing. N°06. 2010. Working Paper Series emerging countries. http://tinyurl.com/73balzu In actual fact, the new and old partners are com- OECD/UNDP/UNECA African Economic Outlook 2011: Africa and its plementary, with BRICS Emerging Partners more active in industry and http://tinyurl.com/78vmcum

© Xinhua/ZUMA/REA © agriculture. Moderately How can African Countries Harness Emerging Partners priced Chinese and Indian to Foster Regional and Sub-Regional Integration? agricultural equipment, OECD Development Centre, Paris. 2011 such as rotovators, have february-march 2012 | SPORE 157 | 5 NEWS

SEEDS 3N Mini sachet, maxi use Ending hunger In the province of Sanmatenga in the central northern region ■■ Niger wants to put an end to its on-going of Burkina Faso, the farmers’ association Minim Song Panga food crises. The 3N initiative ‘Nigeriens (AMSP) is trying to spread the use of improved sorghum and Nourish Nigeriens’ is a new programme

© I Maïga millet seeds by offering small samples in ‘mini sachets’ of 100 g launched by the government to reach this and 500 g, which sell for 100 and FCFA500 (€0.15 and €0.76), respectively. “Farmers goal. “In the 50 years since its independ- never use new seeds without first trying them out and evaluating them”, said AMSP ence, Niger has been in a food deficit for Chairman Roger Kaboré. half of them. Six out of 10 households can Within the context of climate change, the use of improved sorghum and millet seeds is only cover their food needs for 3 months. now more than ever seen as necessary for increasing the output of these cereals, staple We must put an end to this situation,” foods for many households in Burkina Faso. said Mr Amadou Allahoury Diallo, High Commissioner for the 3N initiative. The 3N programme aims to increase COMMUNICATION information,” said lead researcher Steve the country’s agri-sylvo-pastoral and fish- Franzel. eries output. To do so, FCFA900 billion Effective extension The study was conducted among small- ■■ Extension programmes should choose (€1.37 billion) will be injected into the agri- scale farmers who grow leguminous fodder farmer trainers on the basis of their skills culture sector over the next 5 years. The shrubs to feed dairy cows, a practice with to pass information to fellow farmers, funding will target household farms and a high impact on milk production. “Fellow rather than for their farming expertise, aims to increase yields of food crops – mil- small-scale farmers have increased milk a study reveals. Conducted by the World let, sorghum, cowpeas and rice – with gross production from 5kg to 50kg per day since Agroforestry Centre, the inquiry showed cereal output rising from 3 to 5 million t. incorporating fodder shrubs into animal that up to 40% of expert farmers were In addition to addressing rainfed crops, feed,” said Mary Gichuki, a farmer trainer not effective disseminators. “This finding the 3N programme will focus on the devel- in Kiambu County, Kenya. According to has great implications on how opment of irrigated crops and rainwater Franzel, changing the way farmers are extension is practised. It means harvesting, livestock and fisheries, natural Farmer selected to impart skills to other farmers trainer Mary that choosing a farmer to dem- resource management and remains key to transferring knowledge. Women visit Gichuki onstrate and teach other farm- market supplies of agricul- shows off a sorghum her forage ers will only be as effective as tural products and inputs. field in Niger. shrubs. their skills in passing on the POULTRY REARING Soaring maize prices Shortages of maize, mainly caused by poor harvests as a result of a delay in rains, are causing serious problems for poultry rearers in Cameroon. The price of this cereal, which accounts for up to 70% of poultry feed, rose from FCFA160 to 250/kg (€0.24 to €0.38) in April 2011. The poultry keepers’ commodity association has asked the government for permission to import 5,000 t of maize. In the meantime, local industry is in serious decline and

© G Kamadi consumers are paying higher prices. © S Maâzou

CLIMATE FORESTS Prepared for the worst Prize-winning policies African villages are to receive detailed Gambia and Rwanda have won top awards for their data on how climate change is expected forestry policies. Rwanda’s National Forest Policy won gold to affect them. The experiment, CORDEX, and Gambia’s Community Forestry Policy won silver in the

run by the World Meteorological Napolitano © FAO/G 2011 Future Policy Awards, both of which recognise policies Organization and the World Climate that contribute to the sustainable development of forests. Research Programme, is providing In Rwanda, forest cover has increased by 37% since 1990 due to massive reforestation. localised projections about impacts Gambia has implemented the first legislation in Africa to provide local populations in a bid to help communities adapt to with secure forest ownership rights. Transferring tenure from state to community changing weather patterns and tailor their management thus enabled a reduction in illegal logging, slow desertification and disaster risk reduction plans. benefit from forest products.

6 | Spore 157 | february-march 2012 CROPS

ADVISORY SUPPORT Local skills CLIMATE How can a producers’ organisation provide constant advisory

© I Maïga Predicting the future services to its members at a lower price? The solution of ANPHV, ‘Climate Analogues’ is the name given the national haricot bean producers’ association in Burkina Faso, has been to set up to a new open-access tool developed a network of community facilitators. Launched in 2003, the group has 49 facilitators, by scientists at the Consultative Group chosen from the existing 49 producers’ organisations. “In order to cut costs, we decided on International Agricultural Research it would be better to strengthen the skills of those already in the field,” said Soumaïla (CGIAR). The idea is to simulate what the Kindo of ANPHV. By monitoring production and traceability, local facilitators support the impact of climate change is likely to be collection and marketing of haricot beans in Burkina Faso, more than 70% of which is on crops in 20 years’ time, by locating exported to Europe. sites where today’s climate is similar, with a view to developing an adaptation strategy to cope with the future climate PESTS EXPORTS changes. Greedy bats A revival for cocoa http://tinyurl.com/7j7sttd ■■ Fruit growers in Mauritius are tired of bats (Pteropus niger). Each year, especially in summer, tens of thousands of these animals SORGHUM devour tropical fruits, especially mangoes, Supply and demand lychees and guavas, destroying more than A partnership between the Kenya one-quarter of the annual output. The island- Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) ers would like to get rid of these pests, but and East African Breweries Limited has bats, who play an important role in dispers- led to increased incomes for farmers. ing seeds and pollinating native plants, are a Producers had been planting maize, which protected species. is susceptible to drought, while breweries In the past few years, attacks by bats have lacked sorghum to make beer. KARI began increased, partly as a result of shrinking distributing drought-resistant sorghum natural habitats where they had fed on fruits seeds to farmers and the price of sorghum and non-edible plants, but also due to less rose threefold. frequent occurrences of major cyclones, once

a natural method for keeping down numbers Nangoli © F of these mammals. ■■ Uganda is reviving its Irene Namusis The campaign, which began in 2001, is Various techniques have been tried to cocoa sector after years tastes the fruits already producing results with cocoa export ward off bats, including setting up lights, of her labour. of neglect due to political earnings rising from US$7 million (€5.2 mil- multi-coloured flags, bamboo stalks and foul- turmoil. Disease-resistant, high-yielding varie- lion) in 2004 to US$41.1 million (€30.5 mil- smelling carcasses near fruit trees, but none ties are being distributed to farmers and aban- lion) in 2004. One farmer, Semei Mumbere, seem to have an effect anymore. Agricultural doned plantations are being restored as part of of Kikyo in Bundibugyo made SH6.3 million officials are urging producers to install pro- a programme run by the National Agricultural (€1,917) from his 2.4 ha plot last season, sell- tective nylon nets, at least A bat prepares Research Organisation and Investment in ing 3 tonnes of cocoa. 75% of which is reimbursed to taste some Developing Export Agriculture. A cocoa fer- However, Augustine Chaiga, an export mangoes. by the government. mentation project in Mukono is training farm- manager with leading cocoa exporter Esco ers in post-harvest handling and the Cocoa Uganda, says lack of processing facilities is Development Organisation has launched a forcing farmers to export raw beans to Asia, drive to plant 35 million seedlings over the Europe and USA. And there is still scope for next 5 years. greater output.

PIGEON PEA Genome sequence to boost yields The sequencing of the pigeon pea genome should cut the time it takes to develop higher-yielding varieties from 6–10 years to just 3 years, say researchers, who identified more than © FAO/G Napolitano © FAO/G 48,000 genes in the legume. Pigeon pea is rich in protein and has a high tolerance to drought. The genome sequence will enable researchers to develop new high-yielding and disease and stress-tolerant varieties, say scientists. “Currently the realised yield is only one-third of the potential yield,“ said Rajeev Varshney at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics. © N Ackbarrally © N

february-march 2012 | SPORE 157 | 7 FISHERIES AND LIVESTOCK

SILAGE Simple fodder storage Kenyan farmers are turning to a simple, cost effective technology to store fodder for their livestock in preparation for lengthy dry spells caused by climate change. Tube silos,

© G Kamadi developed by the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, can store silage for up to 2 years. Made of polythene, and measuring about 1 m in height and 0.5 m in width, the silo can hold 900 kg of fodder. Plans are under way to introduce them to Maasais and other nomadic tribes who have been badly hit by recent droughts. Tube silos occupy less space than other methods and are much cheaper, making them well suited to small-scale farmers with fewer than 10 animals.

VACCINATION farmers in remote areas. The scheme, part of © Syfia International Syfia © the Kenya Arid and Semi Arid Land (KASAL) Fishing regulations REGULATIONS Protecting poultry project, funded by the EU, has enabled nearly are leading to the ■■ Teresia Muisyo knows some of the chal- 700 farmers to launch small businesses rear- replenishment of lenges of rearing indigenous chickens. She stocks (seen here near Sustainable ing indigenous chickens. Teresa has gone used to keep 78 birds in Matungulu vil- Lake Albert, DRC). back to farming too, vaccinating her own fisheries lage, Eastern Kenya, but lost all of them to ■■ Measures to protect fisheries resources birds against the killer disease. She recently Newcastle Disease. Teresa has appear to be producing results. Even initially sold 120 chickens, for a revenue of SH47,000 A drop can now been trained as an exten- sceptical fishers are beginning to recognise save the life (€391). “KASAL has trained 64 extension ser- sion officer, vaccinating chick- their value. Restricting catches, imposing a of a young vice providers in Eastern Kenya alone, and chick. ens and using a bicycle to reach minimum size for fishnets and halting fish- poultry losses have fallen dramatically,” said ing for a certain period each year are all KASAL poultry expert Dr Anne Wachira. strategies that enable species to regener- Meanwhile, a new vaccine has been ate. Everyone benefits – the fishers, because developed to protect poultry against there are more fish, and consumers, because Newcastle Disease. The live thermostable greater supplies leads to a drop in prices. avirulent 1-2 ND is said to protect up to 62% Fishers at Lake Albert, on the border of of indigenous chickens (more than 80% of DR Congo and Uganda, have thus witnessed Kenya’s poultry). first-hand the benefits of a 10-month fish- ing ban imposed between March 2010 and January 2011. Some species that had all but disappeared have reappeared and market BIRD FLU prices have fallen by some 40%. New risks In northern Senegal, the creation of a The H5N1 virus that causes avian marine protected area near Saint-Louis has influenza, or bird flu, could re-emerge resulted in the reappearance of octopus, in several countries towards the close which had become rare due to overfishing. In of 2011, says FAO. It warns: “A mutant this marine area of 49,600 ha, where fishing strain of the deadly bird flu virus is is regulated and monitored, the authorities spreading in Asia and beyond, with have installed more than 200 artificial reefs unpredictable risks for human health.”

to attract and protect species. © I Esipisu

SHRIMP CATTLE THEFT White Spot alert Digital branding Although White Spot virus presents no risk to humans, it is fatal A new cattle branding technology has been introduced in East Africa to curb and highly contagious for most shellfish. It appeared during rustling and banditry. Placed in the the 1990s in Asia and while it is now found in most parts of the

© DR animal’s rumen, the digitally sensitive world it had never previously reached Africa. However, the disease tablet, which carries identification was recently detected on a shrimp farm in Mozambique. FAO, working together with details, helps monitor movement. A the World Organisation for Animal Health, authorities in Mozambique and local fish digital reader can be used to obtain farmers, has moved swiftly to contain the outbreak. White Spot poses a serious threat identification details at any time. A pilot to both biodiversity and the economy. In Mozambique, shellfish earned US$51.8 million project is branding 10,000 animals. (€40.27 million) in 2010.

8 | Spore 157 | february-march 2012 ENVIRONMENT

REFORESTATION FERTILISER Great green wall Doubts over subsidies ■■ Since being approved by the African Union The Africa Soil Health Consortium (ASHC), an African consortium in June 2005, the Great Green Wall (GGW) Syfia © International for soil fertility made up of a group of scientific and agricultural project has made steady progress. In Senegal, experts and managed by the Centre for Agricultural Bioscience International (CABI), has thousands of young people from different sounded the alarm. It claims that fertiliser subsidy programmes set up by a number of backgrounds meet up in the sylvopastoral area African governments are doomed to failure unless they are accompanied by initiatives of northern Senegal. Their goal is to plant trees to foster integrated soil fertility management and good farming practices. George along the route of the GGW which should, in Oduor, deputy regional director (Kenya) at CABI, is calling for the use of small quantities the next 50 years, create a forest barrier 7,000 of fertiliser, mixed with organic inputs. km long and 15 km wide to halt encroach- ing desertification and help combat climate change. Creating the Great Green Wall, which YOUTH will link Dakar to Djibouti, will involve refor- esting 15 million ha. The project, which started Charcoal from in Senegal, involves 10 other African countries. bio-waste Since 2008, more than 2,500 ha have ■■ A youth group in Uganda’s been planted in Senegal by youth organisa- Mukono district is combat- tions as part of what is known as ‘citizen’ ing deforestation and earn- holidays arranged by the Ministry for Youth. ing income by making char- Local communities also contribute, allocat- coal from agricultural waste. ing land for reforestation and helping in the Members of the Vision Youth work to plant trees. According to Senegal’s Development Group Kyetume GMV director Colonel Matar Cissé, who also produce charcoal briquettes heads the Ministry of Water and Forests, the from grass, maize, rice and government spends sugarcane waste. “We want A number of young nearly FCFA2 billion/ to fight deforestation and also people are helping Nabwowe A © to build the Great year (about €3 million) eradicate poverty among the Making bio charcoal with a manual extruder Green Wall. on the initiative. youth,” said group coordinator Charles Bbale. The group produces an aver- age monthly output of 4,000 kg, earning a total of €1,008 to share among 15 members, DEFORESTATION who also earn other revenue from farming In praise of bamboo activities. The International Network for Bamboo Making the briquettes involves burning dry and Rattan (INBAR) is backing an waste in a kiln. The char powder is cooled initiative to promote the use of bamboo with water and mixed with starch paste charcoal to halt deforestation. The before being placed in a manual extruder. The project, presented at COP17 in Durban, extruder machine costs €151 and the kiln €88. seeks to transfer the technology for With escalating prices for charcoal, the group making bamboo charcoal from China to is unable to keep up with demand for their less sub-Saharan Africa, a region where 80% expensive product. Nevertheless, the business of the rural population still relies on is not without challenges. “When it rains we © M Seck © M forests for cooking fuel. do not work because the waste has to be dry,” said Judith Nampeera.

LAND FUEL An alliance for soil A Global Soil Partnership (GSP) has been Powered by cattle biogas A community project that turns cow dung into biogas launched to save quality soil for future has helped reduce high electricity fees for villagers in generations. The GSP, hosted by FAO, aims to motivate action by decision- Limpopo, South Africa. makers on the importance of soils Nangoli © F The Mpfuneko (Solution) project in Gawula village, near for food security and climate change Giyani, collects cow dung from local cattle owners and processes it into usable gas, adaptation and mitigation and provide which is sold to villagers for a low price. The scheme involves installing a biogas technical solutions for soil protection and digester which heats the cow dung to a point where it produces gas. The energy is management. fed to households via a pipeline. Uses include cooking over a biogas stove instead of http://tinyurl.com/6q9uefc firewood, saving time and natural resources. The project also provides employment for local villagers.

february-march 2012 | SPORE 157 | 9 RESEARCH

LOCUSTS GENDER Revealing colour Winning women Results of a recent CIRAD study on the red locust (Nomadacris scientists septemfasciata) in Madagascar should make it possible to The African Women in Agricultural Research estimate the level of danger posed by a swarm of locusts by and Development (AWARD) programme, assessing the colour of the insects. launched by CGIAR and aimed at African Researchers have managed to quantify the link between the women scientists in the field of agricultural density of locusts and their colour. The results mean that

research, has benefited 250 scientists © CIRAD/M Lecoq changes in colour can now be used as an early warning for since 2008. Encouraged by this success, swarming. On its own, the locust is harmless, but in a group the organisers say they hope to double it can devastate crops. Understanding the mechanism behind changes in the various the number of beneficiaries over the next phases that locusts undergo would enable scientists to identify the stages that trigger 5 years. the phenomenon and launch timely and targeted control strategies.

BANANA TREES DISEASE Healthy scalded Stronger cassava ■■ A strategy of combining traditional breed- plants ing and genetic engineering holds the prom- ■■ Banana farmers no longer need to invest ise of producing improved cassava varieties in insecticides, fungicides and other chemi- that are resistant to multiple viral diseases, cal products to obtain good yields. A method say scientists. The cassava research team successfully tested by the International of the ETH Zurich Plant Biotechnology Lab Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) ena- has been awarded the Swiss Forum for bles producers to treat plants before sowing, International Agricultural Research prize for thus ensuring better plant health and higher its transfer of tropical crop technologies. yields. All it takes is water, wood, a drum, a In some parts of the cassava-producing stick, a knife and a bas- world, there are high risks of outbreaks of ket. The farmer cleans Banana plantation in Cameroon © C Nforgang some of cassava’s most formidable enemies: the plant of earth down whitefly, green mite, cassava mosaic disease to its roots and uses a knife to remove any and cassava brown streak disease, warn places where weevils could be hiding. The scientists at the International Center for plants are then immersed in boiling water GHG EMISSIONS Tropical Agriculture (CIAT). Using a model- for 30 seconds. The water is discarded and Conflicting agendas ling technique, they found that the condi- the plants immediately placed in the soil to Efforts to increase food production are tions are ripe for combined outbreaks of all avoid recontamination. The process, which clashing with attempts to cut agriculture’s four pests and diseases in areas that include is carried out close to the plot, produces an greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), Africa’s Rift Valley region. “The research 80% success rate in each hectare of a given says a group of international scientists. shows that there are perfect niches for some banana plantation. “A diseased plant will Intensification of food output must be highly damaging pests and diseases in areas not produce anything. Treated corms pro- accompanied by action to reduce GHGs currently considered safe havens,” said CIAT duce healthy banana plants and give good from agriculture to avoid accelerating cassava expert Dr Tony Bellotti. “An outbreak yields. What is more, the banana plants are climate change, claims the Commission of one of these could be very severe, but able to withstand the gusts of wind that on Sustainable Agriculture and Climate all four at once would wreak uproot plants in the rainy season,” said IITA A diseased Change. havoc.” cassava leaf researcher Bertrand Bengono.

ORGANIC FARMING Bio-fertiliser cuts farming costs A new bio-fertiliser is boosting yields for farmers in Kenya. Called Biofix, the organic fertiliser was developed by Prof. Lucy Irungu at

© C Njeru © C the University of Nairobi. It is already being used by 3,000 farmers, producing bigger harvests and cutting use of pesticides, since the fertiliser makes plants more resistant. The product costs half the price of other bio-fertilisers, retailing at €20 per 50 kg. A key ingredient is pulped leaves from the Sesbania tree (Phylum magnoliaphyta), a powerful nutrient. “The fertiliser is ideal for several crops, as compared to other fertilisers currently on the Kenyan market,” said Prof. Irungu. © FAO/G Napolitano © FAO/G

10 | Spore 157 | february-march 2012 BUSINESS AND TRADE

GREEN FUNDING REGIONAL PRODUCTS Guiding Adding local value ■■ In recent times, the Label Bénin store, a decision-makers mini-market that sells only products pro- A new guide offers advice to decision-makers cessed locally, has been inundated with on how to access green funding. ‘Catalysing customers, and for good reason. With the Climate Finance’, published by the UN economic crisis, consumers in Benin have Development Programme, gives step-by-step developed a new passion for their grand- © Gret/rHYviere guidance on identifying and implementing mothers’ recipes. Fermented maize flour is public policies and funding tools in the sustainable sector. In 2010, investments in the dried in the oven and packaged to make green energy sector reached US$243 billion (€178 billion). However, 90% of investments an instant porridge that replaces coffee went to G20 countries due to lack of knowledge in other regions of how to access for breakfast. With this process and many complex green funding. others, a number of old recipes have re- emerged. Since opening 2 years ago, the Label Bénin store has become the lynchpin PROCESSING of an important network which sees sup- Adding value pliers as partners. Groups of processors POULTRY are offered technical assistance for quality Concerns to coconuts and marketing, to ensure good presenta- ■■ Members of the Pomeroon Women’s Agro- tion and design. The use of predominantly in Jamaica Processors Association (PWAPA) in Guyana home-made processing techniques, coupled Jamaican poultry producers are opposing have turned to producing virgin coconut oil with reasonable prices, conserves product a government proposal to lower poultry to counter falling prices for raw coconuts. authenticity, attracting a clientele from a import duties by 20%. They fear that this Such has been the demand for the new prod- wide range of backgrounds. The combina- move will open the doors to imports of uct that the 14 women, who also produce and tion of local recipes and cheap meat from the USA at the expense package preserved carambola, pepper sauce, inventive skills adds up to In the Label of the local sector. cherry, spicy mango chutney, green mango a winning formula in the Bénin store, achar and malacca wine, soon realised they local products agrifood, cosmetic and could not satisfy both local and export mar- are popular with medicinal sectors. consumers. CASSAVA kets. They have since expanded production, A US market creating more jobs for local women and pro- for dalo viding additional income for workers in their Fiji has identified a market in the USA small factory. The production method, which for its cassava, known as dalo (Colocasia involves drying the coconut flesh in a solar esculenta). Fiji Agro Marketing Company drying room and grating and squeezing it to Limited chairman Colonel Mosese extract oil, ensures the nutritional Tikoitoga says a deal has been signed content is retained. with a US company to buy imports of PWAPA, which now plans to start the Pacific country’s root crop. Dalo producing plantain flour, won first is one of Fiji’s main agricultural export prize of US$5000 (€3,726) in a products. contest for rural innovative projects run by the Caribbean Regional Unit © DR for Technical Assistance (CARUTA).

MENTORS Skills for agripreneurs A programme run by Food & Trees for Africa (FTFA) is teaching South African farmers to become entrepreneurs. The Farmer Eco Enterprise Development (FEED) Africa initiative develops four hectares of land for 20 emerging organic farmers before scaling up the model © FEED with support in management, training, Saizonou J © mentorship and marketing. In the Bronkhorstspruit area, FEED is helping subsistence These 6 pages were produced with contributions farmers to form a cooperative offering a range of products. A commercial sponsor from: N Ackbarrally (Mauritius), G Kamadi (Kenya), is providing the funding needed to develop infrastructure, irrigation, farming and A Labey (France), S Maâzou (Niger), I Maïga (Burkina greenhouse facilities, so that the cooperative can produce high quality items on a Faso), M Mumero (Kenya), F Nangoli (Uganda), commercially viable scale. C Nforgang (Cameroon), J Saizonou (Benin), M Seck (Senegal) and A Taitt (Barbados). february-march 2012 | SPORE 157 | 11 interview Sindiso Ngwenya Strength in © COMESA numbers Zimbabwean Sindiso Ngwenya Regional integration is proving to be a powerful is Secretary-General of the Common Market for Eastern and strategy for helping Africa to overcome some of Southern Africa (COMESA). He was instrumental in the launch the barriers faced by individual states. As well of the COMESA Free Trade Area in as providing a major market place of more than 2000. More recently, he played a key role in the design of the 389 million consumers, COMESA is also working COMESA Customs Union and Common Investment Area. to promote peace and security.

What are the key advantages of trade minimised the effects of the 2008 How can public policy institutions regional integration in Africa? global financial crisis. Over the years, the influence public policy to the benefit The elimination of trade barriers and non- COMESA region has seen national compa- of Africa, and why should this role be tariff barriers to trade and the creation of a nies invest in other COMESA countries to strengthened? single market to bring about economies of the extent that cross-border investment has There is no doubt that research institutions, scale for production and consumption. Also, become a critical dynamic for regional value universities and think tanks play a critical the elimination of multiple border crossings chains. The COMESA regional infrastruc- role in contributing to the process of regional will reduce transaction costs and hence con- ture master plan has also contributed to the integration by serving either as resource cen- tribute to the competitiveness of the African implementation of regional infrastructure tres for national governments and regional economy. Both cross-border and foreign direct investors would benefit from the single mar- ket as transaction costs would be minimised “What a mouth watering and a large consumer market created. And the prospect for business!” ethnic fault lines that currently bedevil some countries would be minimised as political networks. COMESA has, through its peace organisations or providing critiques and and economic governance would be based on and security programme, contributed to the objective perspectives of what should be meritocracy as opposed to patrimony. African Union programme of conflict preven- done differently and knowledge sharing. tion and resolution and to creating a regional However, for this to happen, governments What are the priorities for COMESA’s consciousness. have to provide funding to these institutions regional integration agenda? as their reliance on foreign funding makes The COMESA market integration strategy Can you elaborate on the role played them at times focus on issues that are not rel- is based on trade and investment. Currently, by agricultural trade as a vehicle for evant to African development and regional COMESA has a fully functioning free trade regional economic integration? integration. area that was launched in 2000 and has seen Given that COMESA economies are essen- intra-COMESA trade increase from US$3.1 bil- tially agrarian, the liberalisation of trade What are the prospects for a successful lion (€2.4 bn) to US$17.2 billion (€13.3 bn) in has seen trade in agriculture products Tripartite Free Trade Area (FTA)? 2009. Current priorities for COMESA include account for about 60% of intra-COMESA The prospects for the COMESA, East African launching the COMESA Custom Union in trade. To boost further trade in agricul- Community (EAC) and Southern African 2012 and making the COMESA Common tural commodities COMESA has a robust Development Community (SADC) Tripartite Investment Area operational – to stimulate programme to address sanitary and phy- FTA are good on the basis of the road map employment creation, economic diversifica- tosanitary issues, which entails agreeing on agreed upon. Negotiations for what will be tion and sustainable and equitable develop- regional standards. Africa’s largest FTA commence this year and ment. Then there are the ongoing prepara- What other sectors would benefit will be concluding in the next 24 months. tions for the envisaged Africa Free Trade Area from policy integration in Africa? Other pillars of the Tripartite programme, and implementation of infrastructure projects Other sectors that are part of the integration namely infrastructure development and that enhance interconnectivity between and agenda include infrastructure development, industrialisation, are being pursued simulta- among COMESA member states. industrial development, free movement of neously. The Tripartite FTA has a combined What benefits can be seen so far? persons, creation of a single currency, agri- population of 565 million and a US$1 trillion The free trade area has produced benefits cultural development and harnessing sci- (€773 bn) economy. What a mouth watering for exporters and consumers. Intra-COMESA ence and technology for development. prospect for business!

12 | Spore 157 | february-march 2012 dossier

Urban agriculture helps improve nutrition and incomes for city dwellers, providing food grown locally, eliminating transportation from rural areas and creating job opportunities. But it is crucial to improve health-related practices so that food is safe to eat.

URBAN AGRICULTURE City farmers © FAO/C Ahounou © FAO/C 17 | Viewpoint 18 | FIELD report FROM kenya Job Ndebele: Vertical gardens and mini Planning urban spaces greenhouses

february-march 2012 | Spore 157 | 13 dossier

yres and old plastic pots planted with vegetables and sacks rigged up to make vertical gardens. These are just some of the techniques being used by a new generation of urban farmers, who are Tdeveloping inventive ways to make the most of limited space to produce food. Jennifer Daley lives on the out- skirts of the densely populated town of Mandeville in Jamaica. With no access to agricultural land, she uses wheelbarrows and just about anything that can contain soil to grow her crops. Sheila Hope-Harewood farms in a suburban area of the parish of St Michael in what is becoming the newest urban centre in Barbados. She has a drip irrigation system and grows guava, lemon, pome- granate, ackee, sugar apple, mango and banana, as well as a variety of vegetables that she sells at a stall in the local market. Other ACP farmers are producing livestock in urban settings. Husband and wife John and Betty Msowoya have set up several small fishponds on the out- skirts of Mzuzu in Malawi. They also keep a few pigs and use the manure to fertilise their ponds and promote the growth of the fish that they supply to city markets. In Nairobi, Kenya, a number of people who lost their jobs as a result of layoffs have turned to urban chicken farming, making an average of €6 per bird and earning additional income from eggs. For decades, poverty, food insecurity and malnutrition were viewed as rural problems. But with the populations of many ACP countries becoming more urban, poverty and poor nutrition are emerging as growing challenges for city dwellers. More than half the world’s population now lives in urban areas, and 3 billion more city dwellers are Benefits all expected by 2050. A recent World Bank and IMF report showed that the growth in urban poverty is now rapidly round outstripping that of rural poverty, with the urban poor par- An urban horticulture ticularly vulnerable to food price rises since food accounts programme in the five main for 60-70% of their income. cities of DR Congo has helped cut Urban agriculture (UA) offers some solutions, ensuring chronic malnutrition levels and supplies of fresh vegetables and other nutritious food to generated fruit and vegetables urban dwellers where poor roads and weak supply chains make it difficult to transport highly perishable produce with a market value of more than © R Strohm © R from rural areas. It has been estimated that some 200 mil- US$400 million (€296 million). lion people are engaged in urban agriculture and related The FAO programme, launched as a response to mass urban migration enterprises. For the poorest urban dwellers, the share of following a 5-year conflict, helps urban growers to produce an annual income derived from UA often exceeds 50%. UA, which 330,000 t of vegetables. Some 90% of produce is sold in urban markets includes peri-urban farming on areas close to cities, may and supermarkets. Production levels translate to 28.6 kg of vegetables take place on homesteads or at plots some distance away, a year per city dweller. As well as food, the programme has helped in parks, along roads, streams and railways and in the provide jobs and income for 16,000 small-scale market gardeners and grounds of schools and hospitals. It can involve the cul- tivation of food crops, rearing animals including poultry, 60,000 other people who form the links in the horticulture chain from goats, sheep, cattle, pigs, guinea pigs, grasscutters and field to table. As a result of the initiative, the annual average income of fish and producing non-food products such as medicinal each farmer in Kinshasa and Lubumbashi rose from US$500 (€387) in 2004 plants. It can also encompass a range of other services to US$2,000 (€1,480) in 2010. such as processing, packaging, compost and animal 14 | Spore 157 | february-march 2012 dossier

Micro-gardens There are many valuable ways of making the most of scarce space in densely populated urban areas. Systems may include roof gardens, sacks on balconies, keeping chickens and small livestock on waste plots, backyards in Caribbean and Pacific islands and simple hydroponic micro-gardens in slum areas. UA is often carried out by women, though they may have greater difficulties in accessing services such as credit, extension and train- ing. A micro-gardening project in Dakar has helped more than 4,000 people, mainly women, with improved nutri- tion and incomes. City farming improves access of the urban poor to fresh food by lowering costs for transport, cold storage and intermediaries in the value chain. The price differential between producer and consumer may be 1:10 in rural agriculture. But it falls to 1:2 or 1:3 in urban agriculture. UA can also complement rural produc- tion during the dry or rainy periods, helping to stabi- lise markets. And it can generate other income earning opportunities. For example, small livestock and poultry keeping produce valuable fertiliser, which can be sold for vegetable production, since good fertiliser is at a pre- mium when space is limited. Recent innovations in UA technologies promote space and waste management. Examples are gardens that make use of recycled sacks or biodegradable cement bags and rooftop gardens that harvest and treat household waste- water. In Senegal, nearly half of all fruit and vegetables © FAO/G Napolitano © FAO/G consumed in cities are grown in and around urban areas In central Kigali health services. and rooftop gardens are a common sight in Dakar. In (Rwanda), FAO estimates that 130 million urban residents in 2008, urban agriculture generated revenue in Senegal residents are cultivating land Africa alone engage in agriculture, mainly horticulture, of around US$400 million (€300 million). Increasing to improve to provide food for their families or to earn income from numbers of ACP urban farmers are grouping themselves food security. sales. Advantages include low start-up costs, short pro- into cooperatives. In Zimbabwe, a Bulawayo urban farm- duction cycles and high yields per unit of time, land and er’s cooperative of 200 members known as the Poultry, water. UA can be an effective coping strategy when times Mushroom and Rabbit Group is giving its members new are hard. In the slum area of Kamae, Kenya, families have skills as entrepreneurs through training in business man- been allocated small landholdings by the local adminis- agement skills. tration and given training in growing crops and rearing In many urban and peri-urban African centres, such small livestock. In Havana, the capital of Cuba, urban as Cape Town, Dar es Salaam, Kampala and Lagos, pro- agriculture developed after imports and exports collapsed ducers are moving into aquaculture, supplying fish that following the disintegration of the Soviet Union. With no include tilapia and African catfish. With increasing urban access to oil, tractors, fertilisers, pesticides or other inputs, demand for fresh fish, the returns are good, with most urban Cubans turned to organic farming to feed their fam- producers selling their catches at the side of ponds or at ilies. Today, more than 26,000 gardens cover 2,439 ha in urban markets. Aquaponics, which combines aquaculture Havana and produce 25,000 tonnes of food annually. In with hydroponics, makes the most of small spaces and is Mozambique and Sierra Leone, urban farming developed starting to be used in various ACP urban and peri-urban as a way of feeding the influx of refugees who flocked to settings, albeit with external support for technology and the cities during civil wars. In both countries, it continues start-up costs. to be an important source of food, income and employ- ment and has spurred an entire value chain, including pro- Municipal backing cessing, packaging, transport and retailing. UA is now a recognised field of research that has seen rapid policy development in the past 15 years. But city february-march 2012 | Spore 157 | 15 dossier

planners must do more to make urban horticulture an integral part of their development and planning strategies, Managing waste say experts. There are growing calls for municipal authori- Urban farming is helping to control ties to ensure that urban horticulturalists have access to city refuse in the Ugandan capital of land and water. In 2003, the Harare Declaration was Kampala. City farmers growing crops signed by local government ministers from Kenya, Malawi, and rearing animals move door to door Swaziland, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. The Declaration and around market areas collecting waste to make compost or feed their

officially endorses UA as a development strategy. But in Akena © IRIN/C many cases, UA policy is lacking and in some ACP coun- livestock. Manure from animals is tries actively banned by law. Improving access to training, recycled to use as fertiliser and many households use organic waste technology, credit and markets are other prerequisites laid from markets as nutrients for their small courtyard gardens. Water is down in FAO guidelines for UA, which stress that the sec- recycled for irrigation. “There is discipline in garbage management as tor needs to be viewed as part of an entire value chain. it is seen as a resource. In the city, farmers have to collect any waste Growing pressure on land for development means that can be fed to their animals and use waste to make compost,” said farmers are increasingly turned off their plots. Boundary Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Councillor Paul Kagimu. KCCA holds disputes erupted in Harare, Zimbabwe, following training sessions for urban farmers on how to maximise yields on small the food crisis of 2008, though the city’s Municipal plots and how to make compost out of household waste. Development Programme (MDP) is now promoting sus- tainable urban agriculture programmes. The conflict surplus produce. Market gardens in Kinshasa – forecast highlights the need for urban agriculture to be properly to become Africa’s most densely populated city by 2020 legislated and for planning to ensure that UA and urban with 12.7 million people – now produce an estimated life co-exist, to share scarce resources such as water and 75,000 to 85,000 tonnes of vegetables a year, or 65% of ensure hygiene, especially where livestock production is the city’s supply. concerned. Cities need to offer support for food markets, and encourage extension and training. Waste and water Just outside HLM In Namibia, a group of 75 urban allot- Fass, in northern UA can play a useful role in recycling organic urban ment farmers has succeeded in landing downtown Dakar waste from rising populations (see Box). Wastewater (Senegal), urban a contract to supply a supermarket. is widely used for irrigation in UA, but the health risks dwellers are With support from city authorities in keeping sheep of untreated water are high. Accessing raw wastewater Dakar, families have set up kiosks in to subsidise through breaking mains and other means is a common their incomes. their neighbourhoods to market their practice in Dakar, while in Nairobi, thousands of families use the polluted Nairobi River to water their allotments. A study shows that typical microbiological and pesti- cide contamination levels of vegetables in Ghanaian mar- kets pose a threat to human health. But though health risks pose a major obstacle, there are ways of containing them. The International Water Management Institute advo- cates tracking urban produce from ‘farm to fork’ and ensur- ing that at each stage simple barriers are put in place along the chain, such as hygiene, gloves, cleaning of foods and markets. It also advocates municipal action at market level, to ensure health stand- ards are respected. After an awareness campaign headed by the RUAF Foundation, an international network of resource centres on urban agriculture and food secu-

© IRD/P Gazin rity, the city authorities in 16 | Spore 157 | february-march 2012 dossier

Accra, Ghana are developing specific UA programmes and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture has launched Viewpoint an award for the Best National Urban Farmer. Rising food prices in Fiji have prompted the Agriculture Job Ndebele is Director of Engineering Services in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. He Ministry to launch a campaign encouraging people to is also Chairman of the Bulawayo start their own backyard gardens. Islander Dhurup Ram Multi-Stakeholder Forum, launched in Sharma uses a small piece of land around his house to 2005 to advocate on urban agriculture issues after clashes between the City grow fruits, vegetables and root crops to feed his family. Council and urban residents wanting to

“People should grow food crops of their choice since a grow crops and rear small livestock. © B Bafana food garden is accessible and available to the family at all times, whether one has or does not have money,” he said. “We ensure that the food crops are free from chemi- Planning urban spaces cals used for pest and disease control whilst our spare How important is planning in the practice of urban time is spent in a productive way.” agriculture? Planning is key because it helps the city avoid random cultivation. We now have identified This dossier was compiled with the help of Busani areas where urban agriculture can be practised. Bafana (Zimbabwe), Isaiah Esipisu (Kenya), Geoffrey It also helps residents practise urban agriculture Kamadi (Kenya), Wallace Mawire (Zimbabwe), Damion sustainably. Urban agriculture takes a big chunk of Mitchell (Jamaica), Angella Nabwowe (Uganda), Charles the land in the city and we have to ensure that this Njeru (Kenya) and Andy Taitt (Barbados). is done in an orderly way. What are you doing to harmonise city by-laws and policies on urban agriculture? We are trying to popularise urban agriculture among farmers. They may use those areas which were forbidden by by-laws before, provided they take care of environmental aspects. For example, efficient water use is a problem that needs to be tackled through promoting practices such as drip irrigation. Some urban farmers do not draw borehole water but use precious potable water, which is not sustainable. We have got farmers involved in an urban agriculture programme and they work together with our Department of Housing and Community Services to educate residents on the need to use land correctly, especially where the land is fragile. What has been the role of the Forum in this programme? A micro-garden

in Haiti Belizaire © FAO/T The Forum has made a big contribution in promoting urban agriculture. Methods of cultivation have improved. Farmers have been helped to create associations and strengthen existing ones so that farming is now done professionally, and there is better management among farmer groups. Key figures Would you say your programme is a model for other cities? million people worldwide have had their food security Yes. Bulawayo has developed some best practices. 800 improved through UA. Our pilot project at the Gumtree Plantation, where we have over 1,000 farmers, has improved the capacity of the participating farmers to produce food. We have

17 groups that have been trained in good agricultural of the world’s population will live in cities by 2030. % methods and we are replicating this so that most of 60 the farmers in Bulawayo can perform better.

Do any challenges remain? of the world’s food is produced by urban or No doubt. The land used for urban agriculture may peri-urban agriculture. not necessarily be council land and it can be private 15-20% and therefore there are conflicts between the practitioners of urban agriculture and the owners of that land. Also, we still have environmental of total urban food requirements in Kampala, Uganda, problems. The sub-committees of the Forum are 40% are accounted for by UA. working hard to try and correct those issues. february-march 2012 | Spore 157 | 17 dossier

Field REPORT FROM KENYA Vertical gardens and mini greenhouses Two simple technologies are helping urban dwellers to grow fresh produce in very small spaces. The result is more varied diets for families and extra income from the sale of surplus output.

ith a population of one million, Kibera slum NGO Solidarités International, which provides farmyard in Nairobi, Kenya, is one of the largest infor- manure and soil. Water for irrigating the vegetables is mal settlements in Africa. It is also one of the sourced from the school’s borehole. unhealthiest, with open sewers spilling raw Wsewage into the narrow alleyways. Now urban farming Healthy profits is helping to improve diets through hygienic agricultural “Those students who have difficulty in paying fees and From left to right: practices in limited spaces. catering for their lunch programme at the school are The main technique used is ‘sack gardening’. Also involved,” says school head Maurice Okumu. The stu- School head Maurice Okumu known as vertical gardening, the simple system consists dents, each with his or her own sack garden, harvest veg- shows off a of a 90 kg sack filled with soil. Up to 50 plants can be etables twice a week, some of which they sell back to the sack garden. grown in this small space, producing vegetables for sale school, taking the rest home to their families. and household consumption. Keith Porter, head of mission at Solidarités International, Esther Kirimi in Sack gardening has proved so successful in Kibera says urban farming has led to a significant increase in the her Kadogo mini greenhouse that Olympic High School is buying vegetables from its amount of vegetables consumed in the slums. “Sack gar- students, helping them offset fees for books and tuition. dening has increased food intake and diet diversification,” Sack gardens in a The children grow kale and spinach, with support from he says. Sack gardening has also been shown to “have Kenyan suburb © G Kamadi © G Kamadi

18 | Spore 157 | february-march 2012 dossier

an immediate potential for youth groups and [for] strengthening the social fabric, as well as having a green- ing effect on the slums,” he observes. A study carried out by Solidarités International shows To find out more that monthly household income generated from the sale ETC-UA of excess vegetables can range between KSh 600 (€5) and ETC – Urban Agriculture KSh 1,500 (€12.5). Up to 80% of slum dwellers are now www.etc-urbanagriculture.org using garden-in-a-sack vegetables for household consump- tion, making monthly savings on food bills of up to KSh FAO Food for the Cities programme 480 (€4). Aside from schoolchildren, some 22,000 house- www.fao.org/fcit/en holds are practising this type of farming. The Urban Producer’s Resource Book: A Practical Guide for Working with Low Income Urban and Small but productive Peri-Urban Producers Organizations. FAO, 2007. Meanwhile, a mini greenhouse, developed by Kenyan Downloadable as a PDF file from: agripreneur Oliver Ndegwa, is fast taking off as an innova- http://tinyurl.com/bpylrjo tive tool for urban agriculture. The Greenhouse ‘Kadogo’ – kadogo means small in Swahili – is specifically designed GlobalHort for urban dwellers. Unlike a standard greenhouse, which Global Horticulture Initiative www.globalhort.org measures 8 by 30 metres and costs KSh 160,000 (€1,333), IDRC Greenhouse Kadogo measures 5 by 10 m and costs International Development Research Centre KSh 30,000 (€250). Agriculture in Urban Planning: Generating Esther Kirimi is a teacher and a mother of five. She Livelihoods and Food Security. Earthscan/IDRC, 2009. has put up a Greenhouse Kadogo in her backyard on the http://tinyurl.com/7wvaotf Rimpa area of Kajiado County, growing cucumbers, toma- toes, courgettes and Chinese cabbage. “I wanted to sustain PROLINNOVA my household vegetable needs as well as help my children www.prolinnova.net get hands-on practice in growing vegetables,” says Kirimi. “This type of greenhouse can accommodate 250 plants, RUAF Foundation and you can earn KSh 10 (€0.08) per plant, per day, www.ruaf.org which translates into a monthly income of KSh 75,000 Cities, Poverty and Food: Multi-Stakeholder Policy (€625), for an average of 4 to 9 months,” explains inven- and Planning in Urban Agriculture tor Ndegwa. Practical Action Publishing/RUAF, 2010 Geoffrey Kamadi Women Feeding Cities – Mainstreaming Gender in Urban Agriculture and Food Security Practical Action Publishing/RUAF, 2009 UA Magazine no. 24 – From Seed to Table: Developing Urban Agriculture Value Chains Downloadable from: http://tinyurl.com/caropht SARNISSA Sustainable Aquaculture Research Networks in Sub Saharan Africa. www.sarnissa.org

UCLG United Cities and Local Governments http://tinyurl.com/d7y6jxz UN-HABITAT www.unhabitat.org WHO Guidelines for the Safe Use of Wastewater, Excreta and Greywater. Volume 2: Wastewater Use in Agriculture, WHO, 2006. Downloadable as PDF file from: http://tinyurl.com/87454vt

World Bank Improving Wastewater Use in Agriculture: An Emerging Priority World Bank, 2010. Downloadable as PDF file from: http://tinyurl.com/blvtve © G Kamadi

february-march 2012 | SPORE 157 | 19 Sector KOLA NUT More than just a symbol

annual exports of 100 billion FCFA (€152 earn most if not all their revenue from this The kola nut, widely million), according to a study by NGO product. prized in West Africa for INADES-Formation in Côte d’Ivoire. Better production, better sales its symbolic and cultural Obstacles to export There is good scope for improving and value and stimulative In Côte d’Ivoire, the kola nut is harvested developing the sector at all levels. As far as from 15 ha plantations. But in this country, production is concerned, priorities are access properties, is mainly as in Nigeria, orchards are ageing and farm- to better seeds and renewing Cola trees. ers have difficulty finding selected seeds; tree Storage and conservation of the kola nut is produced in five West seedlings from nurseries are prohibitively another area requiring attention, in order African countries. A expensive. to cut high levels of post-harvest loss and There is little in the way of processing in improve often erratic product quality. significant source of Africa and the kola nut is exported raw in a On the marketing side, there is a need for revenue, it deserves poorly organised supply chain. Fresh nuts are better organisation, though this does not more attention from the producer countries.

he Cola genus includes about forty species in West Africa, and of these the most important are Cola acumi- nata (Abata kola) and Cola nitida T(Gbanja kola). Some 90% of all kola nuts consumed worldwide come from the Cola nitida. Originating in tropical Africa, the kola nut is mainly produced in Nigeria (170,190 t) and Côte d’Ivoire (67,000 t), followed by Cameroon (38,000 t), Ghana (21,300 t) and Sierra Leone (5,300 t) (Source: FAO 2010). This leafy tree, which grows to a height of about 12 metres, pro- duces fruits – kola nuts – with a strong bitter taste. Native to forested areas, it

needs a humid climate with a dry season © G Nabaloum of no more than 3 months. The tree is also transported in containers that seek to main- necessarily mean increasing Kola nuts are grown, though on a much smaller scale, in tain a degree of humidity. In Jamaica, the nut the number of people involved. distributed during an the Caribbean – in Jamaica – and in Fiji. is known as ‘bissy’ and is processed into pow- In Côte d’Ivoire for example, engagement The kola nut contains two alkaloids which der before being consumed diluted in water there are a great many kola ceremony in help combat fatigue and suppress hunger. with sugar or honey. nut producers’ associations Burkina Faso. Used in traditional medicine, it is also in The kola economy is highly specu- which often have difficulty reaching agree- demand with pharmaceutical companies lative in the West African sub-region. ments with one another. A Côte d’Ivoire and valued for its use in dyes. But the Governments play no role in trading and official from the Ministry of Agriculture’s kola’s main use is cultural. In many West there is no guaranteed price for the pro- department of professional agricultural African countries, there is hardly a bap- ducer. Although not subject to specific taxes organisations has been appointed to over- tism, wedding or ritual ceremony where within WAEMU (in common with fruit and haul organisation of the sector, a sign that this nut does not feature. vegetables), the precious nut faces a num- the government is aware both of the impor- The kola nut is therefore an important ber of hurdles before it can cross borders, tance of kola and of its present shortcomings. commodity and a significant source of rev- including customs and police checks, much But the most pressing need is at sub- enue for many households, both urban and to the frustration of traders. Producers are regional level. It is crucial to improve the rural, as well as for governments. Now also highly dependent on exporters, who set the flow of traffic between countries. This prod- exported to the West (USA) and India, it prices. For the latter, the sector can be very uct, which is emblematic of the sub-region provides good returns to producer coun- profitable: a study carried out in the Grand and knows no boundaries when it comes to tries, especially Côte d’Ivoire, the global Nord region of Cameroon shows that 89% consumption, should be able to travel freely hub for kola production and trade, with of wholesale traders working with kola without being taxed at the slightest move. 20 | Spore 157 | february-march 2012 publications Propagating Getting smart plantains

Farming’s Climate-Smart Future: Improved Plantain Placing Agriculture at the Heart of Climate Production By E Lionelle Ngo-Samnick Change Policy Pro-Agro By C Pye-Smith CTA/ISF Cameroon, 2011, CTA/CCAFS, 2011; 36 pp. 24 pp. CTA number 1662 ISBN 978-92-9081-476-4 2 credit points CTA n° 1655 Downloadable as PDF file from: 5 credit points http://tinyurl.com/bl4tqc9

review reports on how agriculture is devel- oping intelligent solutions, some of which are being used in various ACP regions. The Despite its ability to adapt to a vari- successful spread of these good practices ety of ecosystems and offer good will however depend on the place accorded potential for food production, plantain cul- to agriculture during international nego- tivation remains a marginal activity. This tiations and during the drafting of national guide explains macro-propagation using policies. the plantlet from stem fragments (known as PIF) technique. PIF has met with great suc- cess among small-scale farmers because it is The impact of climate change on relatively easy to produce large numbers of agriculture has repercussions way plantlets in a short time. One sucker can pro- beyond the supply of food. Agriculture duce between 10 and 50 plantlets, depend- accounts for 29% of gross domestic product ing on the variety of plantain and the experi- in developing countries and provides jobs ence of the farmer. for 65% of people, so the ripple effect of The second section presents clear guidelines global warming threatens to be more of a for growing plantain, though procedures tidal wave. But agriculture must also shoul- described may vary according to the needs der its share of blame. Agricultural activities and means of individual farmers. Readers are directly responsible for 10–12% of will also find valuable information on the human-generated greenhouse gas emissions uses and income-generating possibilities for (GHGs). The figure rises significantly if for- this crop. Easy to use with an attractive lay- est clearance is included. out, the guide is richly illustrated with draw- Climate-smart agriculture is one response ings and diagrams showing how to carry out gaining increasing attention. Profiled in this, the process of PIF and how to cultivate plan- the first in a new CTA series, the approach tains in general. seeks to help farmers increase food pro- duction while becoming more resilient to Better beach seine fishing climate change and reducing GHGs. The Responsible use of beach seines is Livestock disease essential for the sustainable livelihoods management of fishers engaged in this practice. A Once a pathogen enters domestic Improved water guide offers advice on management livestock, risks of exposure and infection management measures, aimed at conserving extend through a chain of economic the health of fishery resources and The potential of agricultural water activities related to producing, buying their habitats and safeguarding management has not been fully and selling animals and products. the livelihoods of fishers and their tapped in most ACP countries. CTA’s In order to come up with effective communities. Annual Seminar 2010 aimed to find out measures to manage disease risks, the the key information and knowledge Fishing with Beach Seines entire livestock value chain must be By H Bage, R Lee, T Mouth-Pulsen, S Siar & U Tietze analysed. Methods described here give needs underpinning efficient water FAO, 2011, 162 pp. resource use for agriculture in ACP ISBN 978-92-5-106806-9 some guidance on how to set up value countries, and this compilation brings US$40 • €30 chain analysis for animal disease risk together the key findings. Earthprint Ltd management. PO Box 119 Closing the Knowledge Gap: Integrated Stevenage Hertfordshire Value Chain Approach to Animal Diseases Risk Water Management for Sustainable SG1 4TP Management Management, Annual Seminar 2010 UK FAO, 2011; 144 pp. CTA, 2011; 36 pp. Fax: +44 1438 748 844 ISBN 978-9-2510-6-8618 CTA n° 1659 [email protected] US$30 • €23 2 credit points www.earthprint.com. For Earthprint’s address, see previous column. february-march 2012 | SPORE 157 | 21 publications Better storage, Scaling up Changes less waste market access from within

Storage of Small Farmers, Uncertain Futures: Agricultural Big Change Adapting Development Products Edited by C Harvey, D Wilson & to a Changing Climate By F X Arulappan, R K Wilson By J Ensor Hoevers, G Pesch & P Practical Action, 176 pp. Practical Action, 2011; Scheepens ISBN 978-1-85339-7-12-7 128 pp. CTA/Agromisa, 2011; US$14.95 • €12 ISBN: 978-1-85339-720-2 80 pp. Practical Action Publishing US$14.95 • €12 ISBN 978-92-9081- Bourton Hall For Practical Action’s 443-6 Bourton-on-Dunsmore, Rugby CTA number 1656 address, see previous Warwickshire CV23 9QZ, UK column. 5 credit points Fax: +44 1926 634502 publishingorders@ practicalaction.org.uk www.developmentbookshop.com Losses of 25% for grain crops and ■■ Community-based adaptation is starting 40–50% for vegetables are not unu- ■■ Agricultural scale-up can offer significant to take an important place in climate change sual in the tropics, mainly due to inadequate opportunities for the economic empower- debates. This approach, which highlights storage. Aside from the obvious waste, poor ment of rural women who face challenges the importance of supporting local commu- post-harvest management results in prod- to market participation, due to inadequate nities to develop responses to the challenges ucts with less nutritional value and farmers asset security, lack of time and inequalities they face, is widely seen as crucial if changes missing out on effective planting material for in access to resources and decision-making in lifestyle and agricultural practices are to the next crop. Poor storage can also affect in the household. These challenges can be take hold. A new book explores how best income in other ways. If farmers cannot keep addressed by proactive strategies to pro- to provide assistance to rural dwellers so their products in top condition, they are mote women’s leadership in agricultural that they can better secure their own adap- forced to sell them soon after harvest when markets. A book that explores experiences tation strategies. It asks how local commu- prices are at their lowest. in Oxfam’s Global Agricultural Scale-Up nities can access the assets and knowledge A practical manual in the popular Initiative, launched in 2005 with the aim they need to cope with climate change and Agrodok series offers advice on how to help of reducing poverty for smallholder farm- examines how their relationships – riddled small-scale farmers improve their storage of ers, highlights some of the ways that rural with power and gender inequalities – may grains, roots, tubers, fruit and vegetables. It women, in particular, can be galvanised to prevent them from controlling the resources explains how agricultural products begin to play a more important role in accessing new needed for adaptation. deteriorate soon after harvesting and why and wider marketing opportunities. A community in the Chivi district of product quality swiftly declines. The guide The results are inspiring. In Ethiopia, where Zimbabwe is used as a case study to explore offers step-by-step advice on how to stop many women are landless, beekeeping has how participatory technology development or reduce these losses for specific products, proved an effective way for them to earn can lead to better climate change prepara- how to prepare suitable storage space for income. Growing numbers of female beekeep- tion. A detailed analysis shows how villagers each item and the best way of transporting ers have learned how to manage improved are using seed fairs to develop and distribute it to and from the storage space. beehives, tools and equipment and to produce suitable crop varieties for the increasingly and market bee products. In Haiti, women’s dry conditions. associations have trained members in gender Supreme sugar equality, and many have become involved in a Two hundred years of history have successful network of dairy enterprises. Volatile prices fashioned the Mauritian sugar industry, This year’s leading FAO report, The though today sugar has lost its pro- State of Food Insecurity in the World eminence and its contribution to the The global warming factor 2011 highlights the different impacts island’s economy has dropped from There is an urgent need to do more to that the world food crisis of 2006–08 one-third of GDP to 5.9%. This is an integrate climate change into agricultural had on various countries. With in-depth analysis of sugar production research for development. A report sets predictions that price volatility is here in the island. out why and underlines the importance to stay, it describes the effects on food The Supremacy & Twilight of the Mauritius of taking into account the synergies and security and presents policy options Sugar Industry trade-offs of adapting to and mitigating By R Lamusse to reduce volatility in a cost-effective Osman Publishing, 2011; 300 pp. climate change while boosting food manner. ISBN 978-99949-31-03-3 security. €40 The State Food Insecurity in the World 2011: Books & Business Ltd Integrating Climate Change into Agricultural How Does International Price Volatility 11 Volcy de la Haye Street Research for Development in Africa Affect Domestic Economies and Food Beau-Bassin By S Anderson & M Chambwera Security? Mauritius IIED, 2011; 4 pp. FAO, 2011; 55 pp. Fax: +230 466 7689 Downloadable as PDF file from: Downloadable as PDF file from: www.booksnbusiness.com http://tinyurl.com/bnoa5y6 http://tinyurl.com/3nnsgm4 22 | Spore 157 | february-march 2012 publications Rarely on tap Healthy Making the grade

Supporting Rural and profitable Reconnecting Markets Water Supply: Case Edited by J Belt, J Berdegué, Studies in a Service Vegetable Production E Biénabe & L Peppelenbos Delivery Approach and Marketing in Africa: Gower Publishing, 2011; By H Lockwood & S Smits Socio-Economic Research 208 pp. Practical Action, 2011; Edited by D Mithöfer & H ISBN 978-1-4094-3027-8 200 pp. Waibel GBP65 • €76 ISBN: 978-1-85339-729-5 CABI, 2011; 288 pp. Gower Publishing US$29.95 • €23 ISBN 978-1-84593-649-5 Wey Court East, Union Road For Practical Action’s US$160 • €120 Farnham, Surrey address, see page 22. CABI Publishing GU9 7PT Nosworthy Way United Kingdom Wallingford, Oxfordshire Fax: +44 (0)1252 736736 OX10 8DE, UK www.gowerpublishing.com Fax: +44 (0) 1491 829198 www.cabi.org ■■ Rapid changes in the agrifood markets of ■■ In spite of massive investment in the developing countries are affecting the abil- provision of rural water supply systems for ■■ In a global economy, diversifying and ity of agriculture to contribute to economic developing countries, the reality is that few expanding market opportunities are cru- growth and sustainable development. In rural people have a reliable supply of this cial prerequisites for agricultural growth. recognition of this challenge, research basic resource. Although progress is being Vegetables have traditionally been excluded organisations from around the world set made and rates of coverage are increasing, of the production portfolio for many coun- up Regoverning Markets, a three-year pro- users often find that, once installed, water tries of the South, though they offer consid- gramme focusing on key ways to include supply systems are poorly maintained and erable scope for improving both incomes small-scale farmers in dynamic national eventually break down, leaving them with and food security. That trend appears to be and regional agrifood markets. The aim an erratic supply. changing, partly due to advances in produc- was to identify best practices in connect- A study takes a critical look at the failure tion and transportation technology, but also ing small-scale producers to new markets, so far to provide a sustainable water service due to changing consumer preferences. and to bring these findings into the wider for rural people. It seeks to identify some of Developing countries have now become policy arena. the most important factors that contribute the main exporters of fresh and processed This book highlights the key findings to – or often hamper – the provision of this vegetables and though production in sub- of the second phase of the programme. It service. Saharan Africa still lags behind, sales from documents cases in various parts of the Drawing on case studies from 13 coun- the region have increased dramatically developing world where smallholders have tries, including Benin, Burkina Faso, over the past two decades. Exploring the succeeded in making the grade. Among the Ethiopia, Ghana, Mozambique, South Africa potential for vegetable production to alle- examples highlighted is the case of small- and Uganda, the book looks at a spectrum viate poverty, the authors also examine the scale farmers who are supplying rural of approaches to rural water supply and impact of food production standards on supermarkets in South Africa and producer examine which ones work and which ones various stakeholders and make an assess- groups who have managed to tap new mar- do not. In doing so, it offers insights into ment of markets and marketing potential kets in Togo. Perhaps just as important, the ways countries and individual organisa- for various vegetables. There is a wealth of book asks why these producers were suc- tions can move towards a service delivery case studies from ACP countries, including cessful and looks at the potential for up- approach. Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Senegal, Tanzania and scaling and replication. Zambia. The balance of power Fair access to carbon rights A new report shows that elite sectors, User-friendly climate info Carbon rights, which can be bought along with domestic and foreign Conventional approaches to climate and sold on markets, appear to offer investors, are benefiting from land adaptation rely on expert advice and interesting opportunities – so long as deals at the expense of the poor. It science from authoritative sources they do not sideline the poor. A briefing urges companies and governments such as the Intergovernmental Panel paper looks at how fairness can be built to take urgent steps to improve land on Climate Change. But as this paper into this new commodity so that carbon rights for the poor and outlines key suggests, the information needs to be trading schemes and REDD+ projects recommendations for changing power more site-specific, more user-friendly support the rural poor who rarely hold relations between investors and local and more inclusive of traditional formal land ownership but are key communities. knowledge and existing coping players in putting sustainable forest management into practice. Land and Power: The Growing Scandal practices. Surrounding the New Wave of Investments Improving Information for Community-Based Carbon Righteousness: How to Lever Pro- in Land Adaptation Poor Benefits from REDD+ By B Zagema By S Huq By E Y Mohammed & C Schwarte Oxfam, 2011; 51 pp. IIED, 2011; 2 pp. IIED, 2011; 4 pp. Downloadable as PDF file from: Downloadable as PDF file from: Downloadable as PDF file from: http://tinyurl.com/co9p74v http://tinyurl.com/c9utws4 http://tinyurl.com/bv9hyj8 february-march 2012 | SPORE 157 | 23 publications To obtain Value chains Seasonal stresses publications for development Seasonality, Rural Livelihoods and Titles marked with the logo Value Chains in Development Development: Edited By S Devereux, can be obtained as follows: Emerging Theory R Longhurst & R Sabates- and Practice Wheeler Edited by L Jones Earthscan, 2011; 326 pp. If you are a subscriber to Practical Action, 2011; ISBN 978-1-84971-325-2 CTA publications: 192 pp. GBP29.99 • €36 ISBN: 978-1-85339- Earthscan Use one of these options. 678-6 Dunstan House US$59.95 • €45 14a St Cross Street, London • If you have an account For Practical Action’s EC1N 8XA, UK with http://publications.cta. address, see page 22 Fax: +44 (0)20 7242 1474 www.earthscan.co.uk int (launched 1 February), go on-line and select your books ■■ In many ACP rural areas, a number of depending on the credit points ■■ Value chain development is fast emerg- adverse factors come together at a partic- ing as an essential tool for economic pro- ular time of year, interlocking to produce you have, then click on ‘Add to gress in developing countries. The approach what has become known as seasonality. shopping cart’ and ‘Proceed to seeks to identify and address sector-specific The lowest point is generally seen during checkout’. bottlenecks that hinder the development of tropical rainy seasons, when the need for • If you do not have Internet an industry and, in the case of agriculture, hard work coincides with vulnerability to boost value for producers by strengthening sickness, lack of food, poverty of time and access, you can continue using all the links in the chain and helping them energy, shortage of money, isolation and the order form supplied by CTA. to work in synergy. This book charts the rise lack of access to markets and services. The of value chain analysis from the sub-sector advent of climate change is compounding If you are an ACP approach, and offers guidance on how to the problem, bringing more intense rainfall organisation involved in assess value chains, measure potential com- at wider intervals. agriculture but are not petitiveness and facilitate market-based Conditions and experiences of season- yet a subscriber to CTA interventions. Selected from among the ality vary according to location, gender best papers on this subject in the Enterprise and resources. But as this book shows, the publications, you can: Development and Microfinance journal, it phenomenon is a severe constraint to sus- Request a subscription: contains 14 papers addressing issues that tainable rural livelihoods, and a driver of • On-line at http://publications. include micro enterprise support and devel- poverty and hunger. Many poor people in opment, franchises, facilitating small pro- developing countries are ill equipped to cta.int by clicking on ‘Apply for ducers’ access to high-value markets and cope with seasonal variations which can a free subscription’ value chain financing in agriculture. The lead to drought or flood and consequences • By post or email at rise of business development services and for agriculture, employment, food supply [email protected] business associations is also examined, as and the spread of disease. Embarking on well as their impact. a systematic study over 20 years, the book If you are not an ACP offers case study chapters exploring sea- sonal dimensions of livelihoods in Ethiopia, organisation involved Rewards for better land use Kenya and Malawi, amongst other tropical in agriculture: Watershed degradation can be avoided countries. You can buy the books from by more sustainable land use, yet publishers or bookstores. most landholders have little incentive The rush for biomass Links to the publishers’ to change practices. A report from websites are available on Kenya describes how market research A briefing discusses the potential social techniques have been used to find out impacts of biomass plantations in http://publications.cta.int which practices landholders prefer and developing countries and calls for greater Some publications can also public scrutiny and debate on the issue. how much of their land they can set be downloaded free on aside in a payment for environmental Rapid expansion of biomass energy in services (PES) scheme. the global North is fuelling demand for http://publications.cta.int wood and increasing interest in tree A Conjoint Analysis of Landholder Preferences plantations in the South. for Reward-Based Land Titles marked with the symbol Management Contracts in Kapingazi Biomass Energy: Another Driver of Land Watershed, Eastern Mount Kenya Acquisitions? can be purchased from B Balana, M Mäkelä & T Yatich By L Cotula, L Finnegan & D Macqueen the publishers cited or Journal for Environmental Management, 2011; 2 pp. IIED, 2011; 4 pp. Downloadable as PDF file from: Downloadable as PDF file from: from bookstores. http://tinyurl.com/boaslwz http://tinyurl.com/6dgxaf3 24 | Spore 157 | february-march 2012 GET ON BOARD www.cta.int In Memory Sorrow at CTA Our dear colleague and friend Aboubacar Koda Traoré passed away suddenly on 1 January 2012. He was 47 years old. He is survived by his wife, Nana, and his two children, Malik and Ismael. Our deepest thoughts are with them at

© G Rambaldi this time. (see page 26)

5 questions To Andrew Shepherd Senior Technical Advisor for Market-Led Development

Andrew Shepherd joined CTA and all activities required to make the of the issues. CTA can assist with multi- in September 2011, taking up the post of Senior Technical product and get it to the consumer. The stakeholder development as a tool for Advisor for Market-Led value chain approach is helpful when promoting communication in value chains. Development. With over analysing or developing chains that link 25 years’ experience as a How does the value chain farmers to the specific demands of buyers, Marketing Economist with 4 programme fit within CTA? FAO, he brings substantial such as agro-processors, supermarkets The new value chain approach fits well expertise to CTA as he helps or exporters. ‘Demand-led’ production to plan the value chains © L Serpa Lopes Serpa © L with CTA’s existing strengths in the areas of requires greater commitment from everyone work programme. ICTs and communication. Activities will be in the chain than the more traditional carried out by staff from various disciplines ‘supply-led’ approach, where farmers In its new Strategic Plan, CTA across the team and not just by a small produce something and then try to sell it. 1 promotes the development of number of value chain specialists. There priority agriculture value chains. What To better understand the value is also a close connection between value are agriculture value chains? 2 chain landscape, CTA conducted chain promotion and CTA’s work to support A value chain runs from the farmer to a mapping study. What did this policy development. the consumer or end user. The concept reveal? Can you give us some examples embraces the marketing channels involved While much work had been done on 5 of some of the products and applying the value chain concept to services planned for value chains this agriculture in ACP countries, most people in year? this region still feel uncomfortable using the The major activity will be an International approach. Existing methodologies tend to Key dates Conference on Value Chains for Agricultural be complex, mainly used by donor agencies, 1978 Left the Economist Intelligence and Rural Development. CTA will take the and generic, not taking into account the Unit to start a career in agricultural lead in organising this, working closely region-specific situations. Region-specific marketing in Papua New Guinea. with other agencies and the private sector. methodologies and training materials must The programme is in the early stages of 1982 first consultancy for FAO – an be created for use by ACP countries. integrated rural development development but probable issues to be project in Tanzania. Where do you see CTA’s role in addressed include how to make agricultural 3 developing value chains? value chains more sustainable, how to scale 1985 Joined FAO’s Agricultural There is a lack of clarity on the up value chain development initiatives so Marketing Group in Rome. understanding of the value chain approach. that they benefit many more farmers than at 1991 met my Brazilian wife on my only CTA can help to improve this by ensuring present, and how to make the value chain visit to Latin America for FAO. that more people are aware and informed approach more relevant to ACP countries. 2011 Retired from FAO and joined CTA. february-march 2012 | SPORE 157 | 25 GET ON BOARD

In Memory CTA loses a beloved friend and a great colleague (continued from page 25) bringing agricultural know-how to the pro- informatics initiatives. He was a firm Born and raised in Niger, Koda studied ducer. Through this he was involved in pro- believer in building a knowledge economy Information Science at the University of jects with the Farmer Field Schools, and in from the grass roots. Benin and ICT and Development at the partnerships with RESIMAO, FEMNET and Regardless of the project, Koda met each University of Limoges. He joined CTA in with the CMA-AOC Observatories. task with professionalism, passion, good 1994 following a successful career at the Koda was an advocate of the telecentre humour and an openness to new ideas and Ministry of Agriculture in Niger. movement, promoting the development thinking. He was extremely conscious of the With remarkable talent, initiative, innova- of technically, economically and socially social and human dimensions and implica- tiveness and rigour, Koda managed numer- sustainable approaches to the sector. The tions of the projects he managed or he was ous information programmes including, the impact he had on the ground is best sum- involved in. He touched the lives of every- Question-and-Answer Service, the Rural marised by one of his many partners, one he worked with. Radio Packs and the Seminars Support SATNET: “[His death] is a blow to the tele- A true gentleman, Koda’s kindness, warmth Programme. As Programme Coordinator centre movement and knowledge networks and generosity of spirit will be greatly of CTA’s ICT4Dev Programme, he designed in Africa [...]. He has been very instrumen- missed. We have lost an outstanding col- and implemented CTA’s Electronic Resource tal and passionate in championing develop- league and friend. Centre, and was also instrumental in sup- ment and support to ICTs in Africa at CTA. A blog has been set up to allow those wish- porting market information system devel- [...] Koda is one of the key contributors to ing to leave their condolences to do so. opment. Lately, he coordinated the maga- champion livelihoods in Africa through ICTs These will be shared with Koda’s family. zine ICT Update, involving more ACP and telecentres.” http://kodatraore.cta.int. Messages can ICT specialists in the determination of its More recently Koda sought to bring ICTs, also be sent to the email address content. information and knowledge closer to small [email protected] In recent years he developed a keen inter- farmers and other agricultural stakeholders est in the support of information platforms and rural communities through community

Going Digital SMS New online publications catalogue

• CTA is currently apply for a new Spore or pub- lications subscription online. conducting a study of its Additionally, subscribers can now update their personal online presence. The aim is account details on the site, ensuring that they receive the to streamline the various latest issue of Spore after they have moved home or changed sites making it easier jobs. for visitors to discover Discovering the latest publi- © CTA cations and best sellers is also what CTA has to offer. easier, with a more user-friendly layout and advanced search • CTA’s 2012 International On 1 February 2012, CTA launched its function. Visitors to the site can browse by latest website, http://publications.cta.int. language (English, French or Portuguese), Conference will be on the This is the address of CTA Publishing, the title, topic or even series. ultimate agricultural development online Users are also invited to sign up for CTA topic of value chains for publications catalogue. The new website is Publishing’s monthly e-newsletter ensuring not simply an updated version of CTA’s old they will never miss out on the latest CTA agricultural and rural e-catalogue. It has additional functionali- publications. development. More details ties offering the user an enhanced experi- For those without internet access, order- ence. For the first time it is now possible to ing CTA publications by post is, of course, in upcoming issues of order publications from CTA online as well still possible. In fact, CTA has just brought as to track the status of a recently placed out the 2012 publications catalogue. If you Spore. order. The new site also allows visitors to would like a copy, contact CTA today. 26 | Spore 157 | february-march 2012 GET ON BOARD

M@il Box Reader services to support the small farmer. He sees this Write to Spore Extending the as having wider-reaching effects than just CTA — Spore redaction completing the linkage on the value chain, PO Box 380 value chain to developing an investment attitude and 6700 AJ Wageningen David Mwangi Miano’s interview on savings culture in rural households. The Netherlands community-based extension in issue n° 156 Fax: +31 317 460067 generated a substantial number of reader Mr Octavian Mghanga also reacted to the Email: [email protected] comments. Mr David Otieno wrote to interview, commenting that community- say he was excited at the market linkage based extension services can be made Subscribe to Spore approach highlighted in the interview. In sustainable if proper value chain concepts Subscriptions for his opinion, the development sector must are incorporated in them. He believes that the printed version are: this concept enables poor farmers to get aggressively pursue this sort of linkage in • Free for organisations and access to niche markets resulting in increased order to address the effects of poverty. He individuals involved in rural comments that smallholder farmers are income. The subsequent effect of this is more development and residing in an ACP extremely enterprising irrespective of where available income to pay the community-based (African, Caribbean and Pacific) or EU they come from, but one of the extension providers. country: challenges they all face is access - via http://publications.cta.int to credit. He believes that with Mr Yusuff Sakiru writes to say the assured credit farmers would government should become involved by clicking on ‘Apply for a free be able to produce the right and formulate a policy which should be subscription’ quality and quantity of goods strictly followed. He wants to see more - by post (PO Box 173, 6700 AJ for consumption and markets. extension workers recruited, a focus Wageningen, the Netherlands) or Taking the argument one step on results-oriented services and better send an email to [email protected] further, he suggests that educated farmers. • for other individuals and partnerships with likeminded What do you think? organisations: commercial banks and other €36 annually (6 issues) from: financial institutions should be pursued SMI (Distribution Services) Ltd PO Box 119 Ginger Stevenage Mr Mamadou Bamba was interested Hertfordshire SG1 4TP to learn of the opportunities in ginger Getting farmers United Kingdom for small producers. He hopes that Fax: + 44 1438 748844 on board with the market demand for this spice will Email: CTA @earthprint.co.uk climate change continue. The editorial on agriculture in climate change negotiations in issue n° 155 Subscribe to Spore struck a chord with several readers. E‑nouncement Mr Norbert Eboh Socially Subscribe to the free Spore email aired his concerns summary (90 Kb) at: about the limited acceptable http://spore.cta.int farmers’ awareness of or send a blank email to the impact of climate fertilisers [email protected] Having read the article ‘Free but change in agriculture. For text-only: shunned’ in issue n° 152, Spore reader He wonders how [email protected] Mr Goodfellow Tsilizani farmers can increase Further information wrote to share his their awareness of the issues. He available from: [email protected] thoughts on urine believes that ACP governments fertilisers. He suggests a should be called upon to invest READ SPORE ON-LINE novel way of overcoming heavily in agriculture. However, • Internet: see spore.cta.int the unpopularity of urine as as one of our Malawian readers, a fertiliser due to bad odour Mr Goodfellow Tsilizani, and its short life span. He Reproduce Spore demonstrates, some farmers are very has found that blending urine with • Articles in Spore can be freely much aware of the effects of climate lemongrass eliminates the repulsive odour reproduced for non-commercial use, change. Mr Tsilizani has observed several and decelerates the decomposition. He if credited as coming from Spore. changes in his environment over the last cites the example of Bionitrate, a urine Please send a copy to the editors. months which have helped him better blend fertiliser which is sold in Malawi for • Reproduction for commercial use predict dry spells and erratic rains. US$1 per litre and is socially acceptable. requires prior permission.

february-march 2012 | SPORE 157 | 27