Agroecology: Sustainable Innovation for an Inclusive Value Chain

The Role of Agriculture in Socio-economic Development

Agriculture remains the mainstay of the natural economy, a key sector in the development of any economy. It provides employment to a large percentage of the global population, not to mention ensuring food security for the world. World Bank data suggests that agriculture accounts for more than 25% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in some developing countries. [1] Emerging economies rely on agriculture for their socio-economic development. [2] As a result, developing countries have heavily invested in the agricultural sector, such as in research and extension services. The majority of rural residents are employed in agriculture, which immediately impacts their quality of life and standard of living. As agricultural productivity improves, farmers’ incomes increase, and food supply chains strengthen, resulting in more jobs for urban, peri-urban, and rural populations, raising their socioeconomic status.

Rural communities count on agriculture as their primary source of employment, whether directly or indirectly. 

We can’t achieve inclusive and sustainable development in Kenya without taking into account the issues connected to the agricultural sector. Given our country’s diverse land conditions, the most cost-effective and suitable strategy to address the numerous problems of unemployment and poverty is to invest in agriculture as an engine for job creation and rural development.

Agriculture provides the livelihood for 40% of the total population and more than 70% of Kenya’s rural population (FAO).[3]

Food Security for Employment and Innovation

Agricultural production significantly contributes to Food security for livelihood recovery in rural areas. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, “Food security is not only about having enough to eat. It is also about having access to sufficient, safe, healthy, and nutritious food for a healthy and active life.” 

A number of innovations, such as insect-resistant maize, and the use of hydroponics, have already improved food security and raised the livelihoods of the rural community. Through the employment opportunities created by the agricultural sector, rural populations become self-sufficient and contribute to developing innovative solutions. 

In terms of the high nutritional value of agriculture, it is the main source of nutrition for residents in Sub-Saharan Africa, taking into account the population growth rate.

With the development of technology and internet accessibility across all sectors within agriculture, young people are getting more employment opportunities in smart farming.

Agro-based products and firms’ promotion can also be achieved by youth encouraging agricultural education activities. Labour is required in various fields such as farm machine operators, data entry and management, packaging, product sorting in food processing industries, and farm machinery operators, to name a few (“Rural Jobs Landscape Study 7”). Young people can use technology to create simple farming aids such as weather forecasts and remote sensors for farm management. Agricultural extensionists and veterinarians are also needed to assist farmers; these are potential careers for youth in this field.

Young people with research and project management skills are urgently needed in hydroponic or modern farming. These can be effectively implemented when young people are given a small capital to get started. Because of the increased concerns of consumers who want to know where the food they eat comes from, urban agriculture provides another avenue for youth to start simple farms in the city and gain employment.[4]

Many Kenyan youths are committed to changing the narrative by venturing into the industry and mastering agricultural needs for sustainable development. Farming cooperatives and new agribusinesses are emerging, creating a space for dialogues supported by research about the food production industry, coming up with product ideas such as fruit production and waste reduction, providing a supplement to their income. (AFA CASE STUDY: DIGITAL PATHWAYS FOR YOUTH IN AGRICULTURE)[5]

Technophiles who operate in the front space of social media use their digital skills to get farming ideas online and put them into practice. Some have come up with agricultural consultancy firms. The agricultural sector is encouraging entrepreneurship, through microfinance firms that provide loans to start and expand farming innovation. DigiFarm foundation supported by Safaricom local residents skill development, bundles and soil testing. Youths are taking entrepreneurial risks in setting up, farming enterprises in local areas engaging with farming activities such as avocado, watermelon tomato, and tree-seedling farms. They are also resolving in grow short-cycle crops such as horticulture, beekeeping, and poultry farming giving income after a short period.

Smallholder farmers in Kenya are the major producers of staple food, some do commercial farming, and they encountered challenges; access to markets is a major challenge. They face financial constraints which are essential in production (from farm to shelves). With regard to this challenge, smallholder farmers cannot fight problems of pests, parasites, and diseases, which lead to a rise in the cost of production. Middlemen and cartels in the agricultural sector business exploit farmers, they create artificial shortages of some commodities causing inflation of inputs and fluctuation of prices by importing similar agricultural products which flood the markets distorting market prices. (“State of Play Research on Competition Policy and Law Reforms”). Lack of reliable markets with fluctuating prices examples are tea and coffee which become more vulnerable to international markets compared to maize and bananas which are only used locally. Inability to get access to quality inputs and high cost of inputs which are also brought by limited capital leads to low production and low-quality products which in turn is relatively unprofitable to farmers. Smallholders face another challenge on how to manage their farming activities in terms of pest, parasites, and disease control methods, fertilizer application, and timing during plant and harvesting seasons.

The future role of genetic engineering in sustainable agricultural development is an intriguing topic.[6]

There are numerous tools available for increasing and improving agricultural production. Methods for developing new varieties, such as classical breeding and biotechnology, are among these tools. Some international organizations are taking part in the funding to generate new varieties of crops and livestock (World Bank Group). According to FAO, policies, and technical and institutional issues are key to influencing programs that support crop improvements. Traditional agricultural approaches are seeing a resurgence today, with renewed interest in organic agriculture, that does not use genetically engineered crops. 

Seed Sovereignty and Crop evolution 

Seed sovereignty plays a crucial role in the livelihood of smallholder farmers, as it uses locally available crops and seed species to provide the basis for agricultural diversification and further crop evolution. Recently, there has been the development of community seed banks that support farmers to access diverse seeds of good quality (Vernooy et al., 2014). Most indigenous seeds are not readily available in the market, with the hiking prices of food, the consumers are rediscovering their traditions and looking for indigenous seeds to make their own farms to reduce the cost of living. Seed sovereignty improves market access by providing diversified crops and seeds to producers and consumers. FAO has been at the forefront to support local communities in developing community seed banks that promote diversified local seeds.[7]

Agriculture and Climate Change

Climate change is also a great challenge that poses smallholders with great losses. Many of the farmers depend on rainfall which is currently unpredictable thus carrying out their farming activities annually. (“Working Paper 105 – Smallholder Agriculture in East Africa: Trends, Constraints and Opportunities”).[8]

Applied research and evaluation are required to draw lessons from experience and models that promote the development of value chains. Inclusive Value Chain Development (VCD) seeks to alleviate poverty by strengthening ties between businesses and poor households along a value chain. 

VCD is a type of intervention that aims to alleviate poverty by strengthening the connections between businesses and poor households along a value chain.[9]

The majority of the studies reviewed emphasize the need to improve evaluation and learning among private sector stakeholders, development agencies, and researchers in order to support adaptive management, provide cost-effectiveness information, strengthen accountability for the resources used, and answer more fundamental questions about the value and benefits of inclusive VCD in comparison to alternative approaches to improving the lot of the rural poor. 

Women in Agriculture 

Empowering women by investing in agriculture could boost productivity and income, reducing the gender gap by ensuring gender equality. [10]

Women are having a significant impact in the agricultural sector, although their contribution should have a higher recognition. They comprise the majority of the agricultural workforce in Kenya and many other Sub-Saharan African countries, and they play a vital role in ensuring household dietary diversity, food security, and biodiversity preservation. Women’s knowledge is rooted in their local resources but gender biases are still present. Female farmers need more access to training, lands, farm inputs and the possibility to work in safe conditions ensuring their rights are respected. (Amekawa, Y. (2011). Agroecology and sustainable livelihoods: Towards an integrated approach to rural development. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture, 35(2), 118-162). [11]

Agroecology shows the possibility to reverse the struggles of women in making a living by creating decent rural employment as an alternative to urban migration. Its dependence on skilled labour will see to the utilization of rural youth and women thirsty for creativity, energy, and desire to make a difference. This is one of the social responsibilities of agroecology that needs support the most, as it promotes agroecological innovations in production and processing technologies. Agroecology stirs initiatives that boost entrepreneurship in food chains adapted to the local context. This aspect is evident in the creation and development of agroecology knowledge, innovation and training centres. Such initiatives will eventually attract investors who will help improve infrastructure in rural areas that practise agroecology. Investing in social organizations such as farmers’ movements, innovation networks, and farmer field schools should be paramount to Sustainable Development Goals. [12]

References

1] Employment Creation in Agriculture & Agro‐Processing Sector in Kenya in the Context of Reforms.

2] Meijerink, G. & P. Roza. 2007. The role of agriculture in development. Markets, Chains and Sustainable Development Strategy and Policy Paper, no. 5. Stichting DLO: Wageningen.  http://www.boci.wur.nl/UK/Publications/

3] FAO: The Agricultural Sector In Kenya.  https://www.fao.org/kenya/fao-in-kenya/kenya-at-a-glance/en/

4] KFW POSITION PAPER, Agriculture and employment, August 2012, Author: Dr Jürgen Fechter

5] AFA CASE STUDY: DIGITAL PATHWAYS FOR YOUTH IN AGRICULTURE, January 2019

6] Agricultural Policy in Kenya: Issues and Processes, A paper for the Future Agricultures Consortium workshop, Institute of Development Studies, 20-22 March 2006

7] Regassa Feyissa. 2000. Community seed banks and seed exchange in Ethiopia: A farmer-led approach. In E. Friis-Hansen and B. Sthapit (eds), Participatory approaches to the conservation and use of plant genetic resources. pp. 142–148. IPGRI, Rome.

8] (“Agricultural productivity in Kenya: barriers and opportunities”, n.d.) https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5c70028ee5274a0ecbe9a1c2/483_Agricultural_Productivity_in_Kenya_Barriers_and_Opportunities.pdf. 

9] ILO, Value Chain Development For Decent Work, Third Edition, January 2021. Available at https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/—ed_emp/documents/publication/wcms_766283.pdf

10] Food and Agriculture Organization, The Role of Women in Agriculture.  https://www.fao.org/3/am307e/am307e00.pdf

11] Amekawa, Y. (2011). Agroecology and sustainable livelihoods: Towards an integrated approach to rural development. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture, 35(2), 118-162

12] FAO, Agroecology Knowledge Hub. https://www.fao.org/agroecology/overview/en/

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