Kenya has been picked to lead the rollout of smart farming technology being championed by Spowdi, the Swedish green innovation organization.
Working with ChildFund International, Spowdi will use the project to promote sustainable smart farming among small-holder farmers in Africa.
This initiative will kick off with the implementation of a pilot project supporting 250 small-hold farmers in Migori and Nyeri counties in Kenya and later scaled to reach 10,000 farmers countrywide over the next three years.
Upon completion of this first phase, this initiative will be replicated in other countries in Africa including Uganda, Ethiopia, Zambia, Mozambique, Guinea, Senegal, Sierra Leone and The Gambia.
ChildFund International and Spowdi signed a three-year agreement at COP28 to introduce smart farming technologies to tens of thousands of small-holder farmers in an effort to enhance food production while using minimal water resources.
Through this partnership, farmers will receive equipment and training on how to use smart irrigation technology, comprising of Spowdi’s solar-powered, mobile, water distribution systems, which will be used for training in micro-irrigation techniques. Spowdi and ChildFund will also establish demonstration sites, testbeds, and training hubs for farmers, trainers, distributors, educationists and other partners.
Mr Chege Ngugi, ChildFund International Africa Regional Director, said small-scale farmers are the backbone of food production systems. “Unfortunately, they have borne the brunt of climate change,” Mr Ngugi said. “By adopting Spowdi’s technology, our farmers will grow more food using less water and have enough for consumption and surplus for sale.”
Spowdi’s technology last-mile distribution has generated 300% more food with up to 80% less water, resulting in higher profitability and better livelihoods, according to Spowdi CEO, Mr Henrik Johansson, CEO.
“The technology helps small-hold farmers to move away from fossil fuels, and reduce the time spent on the field, which can then be used for other socio-economic activities,” Mr Johansson said. “Importantly, it also empowers communities to be food self-sufficient.”
He urged climate finance stakeholders provide farmers the ‘kick start’ financing needed to become what he calls impact generators.
Overall, this project aims to promote food security, economic empowerment, and environmental sustainability. In addition, this initiative will tackle the issue of malnutrition that has impeded the growth and development of many children in rural sub-Saharan Africa. Statistics from UN 2022 The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World, indicate that the number of people unable to afford a healthy diet around the world rose to almost 3.1 billion in 2021. The report further indicates that an estimated 45 million children under five years of age suffer from wasting, while 149 million have stunted growth and development due to a chronic lack of nutritious food in their diet.
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