Thursday 13 December 2012

Opportunities in Agriculture: You’ll be surprised.


I’m already surprised 


Some weeks ago, I got a chance to attend the Second Global Conference on Agricultural Research and Development at Punta del Este Uruguay as a Kenyan youth in agriculture delegate with Young Professionals in Agricultural Research and Development (YPARD) with the mere reason of bringing a global youth voice to Agricultural Research for Development (AR4D). 

Well in a conference attended by close to 800 people drawn from all over the world, only 36 onsite  of them comprised of young people representing YPARD or being part of the social reporting team or both.

So this leaves us with the query of are youths really participating in agricultural research for development? If so, which are some of the avenues they can tap to keep their dream alive?
Meet YPARD an international movement by young professionals for young professionals whose main agenda as per its mission is to “serve as a global platform through which young professionals (under 40) can express their ideas and realize their full potential towards a dynamic agricultural research for development”. Theirs is the vision of creating sustainably improved livelihoods worldwide, through dynamic agricultural research for development.  

The movement came in to place as an avenue of expressing the lack of interest of youths in agriculture and related careers and their subsequent lack of representation in dialogues concerning the same not forgetting the lack of resources for the same.

So what do they do?

Etched in their global operations are four actions they undertake to achieve their vision

  • Building a strong network by linking with organizations active in Agricultural Research for Development and youth issues. More so by spreading the YPARD word and getting people involved on the same
  • Giving a voice to the youths by either promoting greater inclusion of youths in the strategic ARD debates or speaking on their behalf and bringing their issues of concern on the table
  • Capacity building and information sharing by either providing information on funding, job opportunities and events. They also facilitate access to capacity building opportunities
  • Promoting agriculture among the young people by working to address the issue of declining interest in agriculture among the young people
  • Besides this, they also other services to young professionals like you which include
  • Updated information on their website of available opportunities, events and featured news on agriculture
  • Bimonthly funding news bulletin and monthly newsletters covering the latest happenings in agriculture
  • A chance for representing other youths in your region in the ARD debates and discussions
  • A podium to share your experiences in ARD and even more give an opinion on matters relating to agriculture and youth involvement
So what are you waiting for? Get involved today

HOW
  • Sign up at www.ypard.net and be part of the network
  • Contribute actively to the online discussions and events
  • Write a blog for them concerning your experience in the AR4D
  • Stay connected with them on through social networks LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook

 

Wednesday 12 December 2012

Investing in Agriculture Future Agricultures Media Competition 2013

Future Agricultures Media Competition 2013

Deadline: 8th February 2012



The Future Agricultures Consortium and PLAAS are inviting journalists and media specialists to enter a competition for reporting on the politics and processes that influence agricultural investment in Africa.
The entry deadline is 8 February 2013 and the winners will be supported to attend our major conference on the Political economy of agricultural policy in Africa, which takes place in South Africa in March 2013.
Applicants must submit their entry in English only by email to b.ouma@future-agricultures.org. Your journalistic piece must reach the organisers by no later than 8 February 2013 to be considered for inclusion in the competition.

Winning entries

The best print and best audio journalistic piece will be selected using established criteria. The top two finalists will be announced on 1 March 2013 by email or phone. These two finalists will be fully supported (flights, visa and accommodation) to attend the international conference on “Political Economy of Agricultural Policy in Africa” in South Africa, hosted by Future Agricultures and the Institute of Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS). Winners will each be presented with a certificate of recognition during the conference. In addition, the finalists will be invited to attend the launch of FAC Africa.
Besides the winning entries, the top 10 selected pieces will be published and promoted regionally, internationally and on the FAC website.

Competition themes

This media competition aims to encourage journalists and media specialists to explore some of the factors that determine agricultural investment patterns in Africa.
Providing case studies and evidence from your home country, your journalistic piece should correspond to one of the following themes:
  • Investing in agriculture: Only a few countries (Burkina Faso, Ethiopia and Malawi) have met the Maputo declaration commitment to invest 10 percent GDP in agriculture. With agriculture the backbone of the African economy, why is it that African governments do not invest more in agriculture for the benefit of their economies?

    What are the political pressures leading African governments to increase investment in agricultural development? Do these favour smallholder agriculture or large-scale farming, food staples or export crops, state-led or private sector-led models, investment in public goods or transfers (such as subsidies)?
  • Influencing policy - the role of civil society: How can a civil society organisation have an influence on agricultural policy making?

    Using one or more examples, explore how CSOs can be effective in getting issues onto the policy agenda, influencing how policies are shaped (either from an external position, or by being involved in the policy making process), and/or how they can assist in making sure that policies are properly enacted on the ground. What are the key strategies for CSOs in being effective in influencing policy; why do they succeed or fail?
  • BRICS investment in Africa: How are investments from China and Brazil and other ‘rising powers’ having an impact on African agriculture? And what impact will they have in the future?

    What investments are Brazil and China making in agricultural production systems in Africa? What is their scale, nature (public and private) and focus? Are these investments supporting pro-poor development, and if not, how should governments respond to this?

Conditions of entry

Each candidate will submit only one print (in Word doc or docx format) or audio piece (in mp3 format) from any African country. Any accompanying photos for print articles should be sent as jpegs. The title and the name of the author should be clearly written on the cover page to the piece, or details included in email with audio piece. Thedeadline for receipt of submissions is 8 February, 2013.
Note: if you have difficulty submitting your audio piece by email, you can use YouSendit (www.yousendit.com) or a similar free internet service.
All applications should submit a short biographical note including name and full contact details; email address, telephone number(s), postal address, town, country, and a scanned photocopy of the applicant’s passport. Entries received after 8 February will not be considered. Notification of approved selections will be announced on 1 March 2013.

Selection process

A panel of judges from the Future Agricultures Consortium, WRENmedia, and Nick Perkins, Scidev.Net director will review entries and make their recommendations to the Steering Committee for the Conference.
The pieces should demonstrate that the author(s) understand the issues outlined above.
The main selection criteria for the pieces are:
  • Originality and quality of analysis;
  • Creativity (use of relevant case studies and examples to illustrate the issues);
  • Relevance and responsiveness to development challenges;
  • Quality of language (engaging writing style, good spelling and grammar, etc.);
  • Presence of bibliography and/or other relevant references;
  • Respect of the prescribed format:
Number of words/duration:
Print: max 1,200 words.
Audio pieces should not exceed 5 minutes.
Print format:
  • Font : Arial size 11 - Line spacing: 1.5
  • NB: If an entry has already been published or broadcast, the date of publication/broadcast must be included on the submission. Only original pieces that have been prepared after the announcement of this call will be considered.

Additional rules

  • FAC reserves the right to disqualify any entry if it does not meet the contest criteria and present regulations.
  • By entering, participants warrant that their print/audio materials are original and do not infringe on any third party's rights;
  • Entry to the contest constitutes an agreement to allow FAC to make articles/audio pieces, name, occupation and state of residence of applicants, public;
  • In addition it constitutes an agreement to allow FAC to use the material in its publications and in the framework of promotional activities. Applicants will retain ownership and all other rights to future use of their texts;
  • FAC will not be able to return submitted articles/audio to their authors;
  • If, for any reason, the competition is not completed as planned, FAC reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend it;
  • The decisions made by the panel of judges are final and beyond dispute;
  • All participants in this competition implicitly accept the rules presented in this document.
Email address for submissions:
Download all these details as a PDF document:

Saturday 1 December 2012

Youth, agriculture and COP18: Time to engage!


COP 18 for Dummies

COP18 is the 18th edition of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). They meet annually to assess progress in dealing with climate change.

There are now 195 parties to the convention taking part in climate change negotiations. All parties to the UNFCCC are represented at the COP. During the conference, they review the implementation of the convention and any other legal instruments that the COP adopts. They furthermore take decisions to promote the effective implementation of the convention.

For instance, in 2010, governments agreed that emissions needed to be reduced so that global temperature increases could be limited to below 2 degrees Celsius.

The Asia-Pacific UN regional Group is the next host of the Conference of the Parties. It is taking place from November 26 to December 7, 2012 in Doha, Qatar.

Read more about what COP is on COP18 website.

Youth in Agriculture: what’s there for you?

You probably know better than anyone why Climate Change issues need to be addressed within the frame of the agricultural sector. Agriculture needs to have its space at the negotiation table at COP18 in order to influence effective implementation of solutions focusing on agricultural activities.

There are key sessions where your voice as a professional in agricultural-related topics would bring much water to the mill in order to influence decisions that will impact significantly the sector of agriculture.

There are also two key events that focus on agriculture at COP18 (coordinated by CGIAR).

Agriculture, Landscapes and Livelihoods Day 5

The Agriculture, Landscapes and Livelihoods Day 5 will be held on 3rd December. It is entitled: “Solutions for People in Drylands and Beyond”.

Natural resource and agriculture community will share solutions for climate change adaptation and mitigation in agricultural landscapes with key stakeholders and decision makers

It aims to develop solutions that can feed into 2013 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) discussions.

The objective is to identify existing and large scale solutions to specific mitigation and adaptation challenges that can benefit farmers, in particular small scale farmers. Gaps and potential trade-offs in term of existing solutions, implementations and knowledge available would be brought particular attention.

Forest day: interconnections between forests and agriculture

Forest Day 6 will look at the interconnections between forests and agriculture and their impacts on people and society.

It is held in conjunction with Agriculture, Landscapes and Livelihoods Day 5 under the theme of 'Living Landscapes'.

Look at the agenda of the discussions forum.

Aside from the traditional plenary sessions, the conference will have several discussion forums.  Members of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests, and other interested organisations, will host these sessions.  Check the themes for the discussion forums.

Participate online!

Now, the good thing is: You don’t need to be physically present at a conference to learn, contribute and engage into the debate! That’s the magic of Social Media, as we learned in the GCARD2 debate! Get online and get involved!

Give a voice to Youth in Agriculture, as an individual and as a core group of "YPARDians"

Post written by Marina and  reblogged from the YPARD website http://ypard.net/2012-november-22/youth-agriculture-and-cop18-time-engage

From a Boda Boda rider to a Fish Farmer


Wycliff showing off his catch


After many years of strenuously rocking his bodaboda bicycle to earn a living, Wycliff Okumu, a resident of Lutaso village in Bungoma South could afford a radiant smile transpiring a promising future after receiving a shoal of mudfish fingerlings to venture into fish farming. 

Okumu had been struggling to earn a living and hoped that one day his dream of venturing into a less strenuous business would come true. As he narrates about the less paying bodaboda business, he remembers how he has been going home so tired amid the hungry children to feed and parents to support.


It was then not until 2009 that the Ministry of Fisheries introduced the less costly fish farming programme to consider other the unemployed and potential small scale farmers.

The Bungoma District Fisheries office quickly took the advantage of the conducive geographical condition to initiate the programme.
The locals were educated on fish farming and encouraged to set up ponds because it was an affordable type of farming compared to other expensive cash crop farming like sugarcane, coffee among others.

The Ministry had to provide farmers with supplementary feeds and fingerlings free of charge. Okumu then had no interest to practice fish farming although he dug ponds for farmers. However, when he realized that the maturity period of fingerlings was as short as 2 to 3 months, he made up his mind. 

“I had no interest in fish farming but after sometime, Irealized how beneficial it was to farmers I had been digging ponds for. Their lives were changing rapidly and this challenged me to also start,” he reckoned.

Without hesitation, he began to construct a pondat the riverside on his twoacreage piece of land and after inspection by officers in charge; he registered for provision of fingerlings and feeds at Bungoma District Fisheries office.

It was not long when the ministry of fisheries disbursed a shoal of fingerlings to the region for farmers and him as one of the beneficiaries of a thousand fingerlings   to start the farming. “I had been waiting for these fingerlings to start fish farming and I am happy for having been given. I have not paid any single coin and I urge others who have interest in the farming to decide fully,” he said excitedly and gently holding his mudfish fingerlings across his chest in a perforated nylon bag.

Mr.Kiarie Kahareri, the Bungoma District Fisheries Officer said that since the introduction of fish farming in the region, a total of 2650 ponds have been established and over 2200 farmers have benefited. The encouraging response of farmers in fish farming has contributed to high productivity.

Farmers have always been trained on pond management and organized educational workshops giving them chance to interact with other farmers from various regions.

Mr. Kahareri said that fish farming is the cheapest venture sponsored by the government requiring a potential farmer to establish a pond then register at the District Fisheries Office for free fingerlings and supplementary feeds. 

“Fish farming is easy to manage compared to any other form of farming and can be operated anywhere not only around swampy areas or riverbanks but also at residential homes by draining water from boreholes and roof catchment,” Mr. Kahareri said.

In five constituencies of Bungoma County, a total of 25 ponds have been established in institutions like Bumula Health Centre, Sang’alo Teachers’ Training Institute, Kimaeti Secondary and Cardinal Otunga Girls’ High School to enhance growth and consumption of fish.

As noted by Mr. Kahareri, fish farming is not just for consumption and earning income but has other significant importance. For example,it reduces pressure exerted on our lakes by fishermen; fish is medicinal for healing cancer, pth , June rotein digestion deficiency and reducing aging. Fish is also a good indicator for aquatic pollution, a filtration agent on water used for human consumption. 

In any business activity, there are challenges one has to encounter. Dry seasons, fish poisoning, pond mismanagement, theft and negative cultural beliefs are challenges experienced in fish farming and can be overcome  through awareness on fish farming and pond management.
Mr. Kahareri pointed that there is a ready market for fish both locally like hotels, schools, hospitals and externally through government’s support by providing efficient fish processing plants equipped with modern storage facilities.

He appealed to the locals to take the initiative of practicing fish farming to better their lives at this tougher economic time.
“I urge potential fish farmers to start invest in the farming because it is a profitable and affordable activity for both small scale and large scale farms. Feeding is also not a problem since fish can also be fed on available materials like ants, vegetables, sweet potato vines, animal blood and cow dung casted in ponds to increase growth of natural plants,” Mr. Kahareri said frantically.

If you have no business to venture in or looking one to carry out? Then try fish farming to improve your living standard and brighten the future of your children.

This post by Samuel Kisika first appeared on  m.news24.com  on 19th June 2012