Archive for 'agriculture'
In 2013 we are asking everyone to Go Further For Fairtrade. This is the message during Fairtrade Fortnight (25 Feb – 10 March). In particular we will be focusing on food and the crucial role of smallholders, so that together, we really can make 2013 a game-changing year in food. Smallholders grow 70% of the [...]
I have now left Afghanistan after nearly 21 months there. Just over a year ago, I spent four days in Bamyan province considering a new agriculture programme supported by UK and New Zealand aid. One year later I accompanied our Ambassador on his first visit to the province, and saw how the programme was progressing. Bamyan is one [...]
I'm Su Kahumbu Stephanou, a passionate Kenyan farmer and social entrepreneur, founder and CEO of Green Dreams Ltd and Green Dreams Tech Ltd, focused on creating solutions for smallholder farmers in Africa to give them sustainable productivity and incomes. I am especially committed to educating, encouraging and enabling young people to engage in agriculture and build [...]
This Sunday, David Cameron and Vice President Michel Temer of Brazil will challenge global leaders to work to address hunger and malnutrition at the Global Hunger Event. As that event takes place, many international organisations – governmental, multilateral, civil society – continue to fight hard to tackle food security and hunger issues all over the [...]
My first four months in the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Lashkar Gah have been heavily livestock themed – of the poultry family especially – with the construction of Helmand's Bolan Farm chicken house, the birth of the Helmand Poultry Association and a steady supply of slightly squashed, mostly melted Easter eggs through the post. In [...]
We have spent the last few weeks learning about the needs of Afjalpur dairy co-operative members and getting to grips with their livelihoods situation. Amongst many other things, the outcomes of our baseline survey showed how essential it is for all members to receive training. It is very encouraging to see how such a simple [...]
Bamyan is a beautiful province in Afghanistan and home to the Hazaras, an ethnic Shia minority who make up 9% of the Afghan population. They are believed to be descendants of Genghis Khan's army and have distinctive features. My visit was to see further projects that the UK Government could support in agriculture. Most of the population are [...]
As the world gathers in Durban to continue discussions on how best to avoid the impacts of climate change, last Saturday, several UN organisations and others hosted the Agriculture and Rural Development Day. I gave a keynote presentation, sharing a platform with Rachel Kyte, Vice President of the World Bank, and Dr Mary Robinson, former [...]
Towards the end of last year, I was privileged to visit Africa with Harriet Lamb, Executive Director of the Fairtrade Foundation, to see for myself the benefits Fairtrade is bringing to growers and their families in South Africa and Kenya. In Kericho, Kenya, I met people who are being offered hope and incentives by an [...]
Last week I left Afghanistan for good. When I said goodbye to our local staff member in Helmand he asked "will we see you again in Helmand Province?" "Probably not," I replied. After making Afghanistan my home for the last 2 years, leaving isn't easy. But as I say my goodbyes and pack my bags [...]
