wiki kadhaa zilizopita, The New York Times published an article on efforts by some members of the younger generation to spruce up how farming is perceived – ‘Millennials ‘Make Farming Sexy’ in Africa, Ambapo Kulima Udongo Mara Moja Kunamaanisha aibu’ by Sarah Maslin Nir. While the story said Africa, it was set in Ghana. There are quite a few other nations on the continent and GFN member Chibuike Emmanuel from Nigeria decided to set out and highlight some young farmers and efforts in a few other countries. Parts 1 & 2 of ‘Ensuring Ag Remains ‘Sexy’ In Africa’ ya mfululizo huu mfupi na Chibuike hufuatwa na Sehemu 3 chini:
The multi-disciplinary efforts of young Africans to ensure that Agriculture remains ‘sexy’ on the continent.
Aware that ‘‘[W]hile kuna kubwa, shamba zilizofanikiwa kwenye bara, most farmers in sub-Saharan Africa are smallholders farmers cultivating an acre or less’’ as the article stated, Ogbole Samson a Nigerian biochemist is utilizing his scientific background to grow yams without soil but in air through the process of aeroponics. He believes that as land becomes more scare and prices skyrocket, kwamba suluhisho lake litakuwa la thamani zaidi. In the same vein, Angel Adelaja aliendesha upimaji wa umeme huko Nigeria kupitia Safi moja kwa moja kupalilia mboga wima katika vyombo vya usafirishaji! One container can produce what an acre and a half of vegetable cultivation usually does!
Na vijana zaidi wa Kiafrika wanazidi kupanda kwenye sahani. lava Grace alikuwa akifanya kazi za kilimo kama kupalilia kwa mikono masaa kadhaa kabla ya kwenda shuleni kila asubuhi huko Zimbabwe. She hated agriculture and wanted to just work in an office where she can “wear lipsticks, paint her nails and cross her legs” because that was the image of success. By some providence, sasa anafunga MSc yake katika Uzalishaji wa Mimea, Jenomiki na Baiolojia kutoka Chuo Kikuu cha Jimbo la Michigan. She is passionate about deploying these technologies to help women across Africa “so that they don’t go through the same ordeal as she did”.
These examples underscore how ‘’A boom in technology that aims to increase productivity is helping make agriculture more modern and lucrative’’ and address the challenges of ‘’undeveloped distribution networks, poor roads and fickle water supplies‘’ as Sarah Maslin Nir opines [katika nakala ya NYT].
Kuongeza thamani kwa chakula pia huja kucheza. katika Madagascar, Heritiaina Randriamananatahina hutoa bidhaa za maziwa na confectionary, hivyo kuongeza ajira na kuajiri wakulima wa ndani. In Tanzania, Fawad Awadh’s Usindikaji wa YYTZ Agro produces and exports cashew nuts thereby increasing profit for local farmers. Egyptian Mostafa Amin started Breadfast.com to deliver fresh baked products and breakfast to customers’ doorsteps every morning across the country, wakati Guinea Mzaliwa wa Oumou Bah a 24 mpikaji wa miaka na blogger anamiliki Kadiafricanrecipes.com which teaches people how to cook delicious African recipes in very easy steps.
Tazama chapisho la mwisho na Sehemu 4 Wiki ijayo...
Chibuike Emmanuel ni mkulima mchanga wa Nigeria ambaye ni mwanachama wa Mtandao wa Wakulima wa Ulimwenguni. Yeye ndiye msimamizi wa mwanzilishi wa Kilimo ni Mtandao wa Sexy ambayo huhamasisha, supports and mentors millennials to embrace agri-food careers as a pathway to Africa’s economic prosperity.