This story was originally reported by Emmanuelle Landais and edited by Jumana Farouky and Sebastien Malo for the Thomson Reuters Foundation.
For centuries, women in West Africa’s cereal belt have relied on fonio, a small, nutty grain, to feed their families.
Now, Adja Aissata Aya Ndiaye, a farmer in Kedougou in southeastern Senegal, thinks fonio could become a staple across the continent, and eventually around the world.
“We want to take over the global market,” said Ndiaye, 62.
Over in New York,...
Agriculture
This story was originally reported by Alina Paul-Bossuet for the Thomson Reuters Foundation and International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT).
The United Nations’ scientific panel on climate change report (October 2018) highlights worsening food shortages as one of the key impacts of global warming.
Tackling the monumental challenges set out in the report may seem like a mountain to climb, given the policy changes and rapid government action required. Yet, on her 4-acre farm on the foothills of Mount Kenya in Embu county,...
This story was originally reported by by Isaiah Esipisu. Editing by Sebastien Malo and Laurie Goering for the Thomson Reuters Foundation.
When local authorities in eastern Kenya slapped a ban on trading charcoal earlier this year in an effort to save the region’s dwindling forests, charcoal producers worried their income would disappear.
“It was a chilling announcement,” said Peninah Kilungya, 42, a mother of five with the bright red traditional fabric of the Maasai people tied around her waist.
“We always turn to...
This story was originally reported by Kagondu Njagi. Editing by Zoe Tabary and Robert Carmichaelfor the Thomson Reuters Foundation.
When two university students knocked on the door of Lillian Kanari’s organic food shop in Nairobi, Kenya five years ago seeking work, she realised their web design skills could help her business solve one of its most intractable problems: food waste.
Until then, most orders were placed over the phone – and that resulted in some customers complaining that what had been...
This story was originally reported by Caroline Wambui and edited by Laurie Goering for the Thomson Reuters Foundation.
In this arid stretch of Kajiado County, Kenya where worsening heat and drought have been tough on livestock farmers, Arnold Ole Kapurua is experimenting with a hot new crop: chillies.
Ole Kapurua, 29, a farmer and agronomist, now grows two acres of the fiery pods – and is training other farmers to do the same – as a way to protect their incomes in...
The European Union is currently discussing it’s next Multiannual Financial Framework
No matter how you cut it, girls and women can't access the opportunities that they deserve.
Right now, a seismic shift is happening when it comes to addressing gender inequality.
Women around the world are speaking up and stepping forward in their millions, calling out the injustice they experience every day. These movements are changing conversations, changing culture, and changing laws. And it’s critical that the girls and women hit hardest by gender inequality – those living in extreme poverty – are not left behind.
If you want to live in a world where there is...
Until now, women’s rights to own land in Mali have been severely limited.
As the new Global Goals start to sink in, it is exciting to appreciate how they are linked to some wisdom that has been passed on for many generations through African proverbs. Here is a sneak peak in to some of our favourites!