Listening to farmers on the front line of climate crisis
Ripple Effect helps thousands of farming families to cope with the impact of the Climate Crisis. From soil improvement to tree planting, our role as trainers and facilitators has never been more critical.
- Nearly 70% of Africa's population rely on subsistence farming.
- Worldwide, 2.5 billion smallholder farmers depend on agriculture for their livelihoods and food. This is what more than half of global agriculture looks like.
- Already, 795 million people suffer from hunger. That number is only going to increase unless we listen to these farmers, and act now.
Titus Sagala, Ripple Effect Country Director for Kenya
We ask the farmers we work with what they believe needs to be done.
These are the views of Gaspard Nzabamwita, who lives with his family in the Bugesera district of eastern Rwanda:
“I ask our government to continue having more partners and stakeholders in climate-resilient that could continue helping farmers to fight climate change challenges by having different knowledge and means to use in this process.” - Gaspard, Rwanda
We’ve also asked our experienced programme delivery staff in Africa what action they want to see from the rest of the world:
“Global leaders need to put more effort in protecting natural resources. Commitment of world leaders to reafforestation is extremely urgent. Careful studies of the environmental impact of industries on air and water pollution.” - Gloria Nimpundu, Country director, Burundi
“Properly listening to the voice of the poor countries in relation to needs of small farmers. COP26 leaders being pragmatic about their promise and their global mandates. Enforcement of political commitment, resource channelling and clear mechanisms and strategies to track implementation and impacts on the lives of small farmers.” - Berhanu Feleke, Program and Partner Support Manager, Ethiopia
“Invest more in agricultural extension services to ensure they have the capacity to impart the knowledge and skills to small farmers so they can anticipate, respond and adapt to climate change. Invest more in public infrastructures that would make the small farmer less dependent on rain-fed agriculture. Catalysing renewable energy. Investing in innovation that brings renewable energy closer to the rural community, including high-quality briquettes, and solar and biogas grid.” - Pamela Ebanyat, Country Director, Uganda
“(World leaders) should use science to understand the effect of climate crisis on smallholder farmers and use it for policy option. They should allocate a reasonable resource to overcome the challenges facing smallholder farmers.” - Hewan Woldegiorgies, Enterprise & Business Development Trainer, Ethiopia
“Increase the financial support/budget allocation to programmes and projects that build small farmers’ capacities and resilience to climate change and its effects. Put in place mechanisms that facilitate small farmers’ access to affordable renewable energy sources and other simple climate-smart technologies. ” - Laurent Munyankusi, Country Director, Rwanda
“The leaders need to be more sensitive to the needs of small-scale farmers. Put in place policies that encourage preservation and enhancement rather than increased production at the expense of the environment. Promotion of development activities that preserve the environment rather than destroy. Promotion of organic methods and only limited use of non-organic products.” - Titus Sagala, Country Director, Kenya.
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