Zimbabwe, officially the Republic of Zimbabwe and formerly recognized as Rhodesia. Zimbabwe is a landlocked nation in southern Africa bordering South Africa to its south and Zambia to its north. The nation gained independence in 1980 after a long period of colonial rule. Similarly to South Africa, Zimbabwe suffered a period of white-dominated rule in which the country suffered severe human rights violations, especially to the majority black population.
One of the longest-sitting leaders in modern times, some considered Robert Mugabe to be a revolutionary hero. Having led the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU – PF) and ousted the minority white government of Zimbabwe, Mugabe became the leader of the nation. Serving as President from 1987 to 2017. At first, many in Zimbabwe may have felt optimistic about Zimbabwe’s future, but after 30 years of economic stagnation and rampant hyperinflation, a military coup ultimately ousted President Mugabe. His dismal leadership of Zimbabwe’s economy and reports of many human rights violations are the main reasons for his departure. Here is some information about Zimbabwe since Mugabe.
The Economy
Unfortunately for President Mnangagwa, his predecessor left Zimbabwe in economic peril. With Mugabe gone, there was much elation at the prospect of a new leader in Zimbabwe, with many finally believing that the worst may be behind them. Mnangagwa promised the people of Zimbabwe economic prosperity and more democracy. The President stated at ZANU – PF headquarters that “No one is more important than the other. We are all Zimbabweans. We want to grow our economy. We want jobs.”
However, economic prosperity has yet to come, with some in the nation believing that Zimbabwe since Mugabe has actually worsened. Zimbabwe’s inflation problem seems to have continued under the new leadership, having a 557.2% inflation rate in 2020. However, 2021 saw a 458.66% decline in inflation to 98.55%.
The problem with hyperinflation is that the Zimbabwean dollar is effectively worthless, making it very hard for the economy to grow as foreign imports will simply be far too expensive. Many in Zimbabwe prefer using the U.S. dollar, whereas the South African Rand is the most common. However, the GDP per Capita in Zimbabwe was $1,774 in 2021, a 29.23% increase from 2020.
Poverty in Zimbabwe requires attention. The poverty rate in Zimbabwe was 85% in 2019, a 0.9% increase from 2017, the year Mugabe left the presidency.
Indicating that in the nearly six years since Mugabe, the government has been unable to make any significant change to poverty in the nation. Alongside a disturbingly high poverty rate, the country has an estimated 90% of the citizens either unemployed or work informally to make a living.
Human Rights
Perhaps unsurprisingly, with Mnangagwa being a member and leader of the ZANU – PF party, the same party as former President Mugabe and the only party in power since the ending of the white minority rule in Zimbabwe, human rights in Zimbabwe continue to be an issue in the nation.
Mnangagwa promised change in Zimbabwe, however, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW) the situation continued to decline in 2020 under President Mnangagwa. According to HRW, more than 70 critics of the government were abducted and tortured in 2020. The HRW stated that “Security forces also continued to commit arbitrary arrests, violent assaults, abductions, torture and other abuses’ against anyone critical of the government.”
With Human Rights violations such as these, it is fair to suggest that not much has changed in Zimbabwe since Mugabe. As ex-President Mugabe received criticism for corruption and silencing of critics.
Government Reaction to Human Rights
Under the leadership of Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe only repealed one law from the Mugabe era. Critics have suggested the government’s slow implementation of its commitment to political reform shows its lack of interest to re-engage with the international community. Instead, the party with a stranglehold of the politics in the nation would rather pursue the continuation of power in Zimbabwe. Al Jazeera spoke to a Zimbabwean citizen who said that “Under Mugabe, things were getting bad. It’s the same group of people (in power) essentially.”
The government however refutes this, suggesting that Mnangagwa has managed to stabilize the currency and committed to opening up the country for business. While the future certainly looks dim for Zimbabwe since Mugabe, there are some glimmers of hope. Zimbabwe actually has the second-largest platinum deposit in the world. The nation also has a significant amount of gold with more than 4,000 recorded gold deposits found so far in Zimbabwe. While the country’s mining sector in the Great Dyke has been inefficient up until now, the government aims to grow its platinum exports considerably.
Looking Ahead
The potential of Zimbabwe’s mining sector could be huge, generating more revenue, creating new foreign investment opportunities and long-lasting well-paid jobs for Zimbabwean citizens. If done correctly, the government in Zimbabwe may be able to significantly reduce severe levels of unemployment and rampant poverty.
– Josef Whitehead
Photo: Flickr
Inca and Pre-Inca Water Systems Are Peru’s Future
Peru has a mountainous landscape paired with a rich indigenous history—though many secrets were lost during the Spanish conquest, a long-forgotten practice is reemerging—and just in time to combat Peru’s water crisis. Water scarcity is common in Central and South America—in fact, Microtrends estimates in 2022, only 51% of Peruvians had access to clean drinking water. Peru is among many countries struggling with extremely dry seasons; in the city of Lima, only about 0.5 inches of rain falls annually, which is devastating to the citizens living there. With such little rainfall, one may question what the solutions are to make this water last. Additionally, one may ask what other water is available year-round aside from rainwater. The Inca and pre-Inca water systems are Peru’s future.
Who are the Inca?
The Inca were indigenous people who lived in Peru, Ecuador, Argentina and Chile prior to the Spanish conquest in 1532. The Incan empire stood as the largest pre-Columbian empire in all the Americas before the death of Atahualpa, also known as the final Incan emperor. Though the Inca civilization fell, Inca’s descendants still practice their customs and traditions. This includes a practice called water planting—a brilliant ration-based method to conserve water throughout the dry season. Here is some in-depth information about Inca and pre-Inca water systems in Peru.
Water Planting
Water Planting, a method that the Inca and pre-Inca used primarily, is a timed natural water filtration system that utilizes amunas—also known as water canals. This type of filtration relies on soil and trees and vegetation to filter rainwater and river water; this process of planting water takes weeks and even months for the water to return to clean water, according to BBC. Because of this timed release, water can continue to flow long into the dry season—and current Peruvians can predict exactly where the water will be released because of an intimate knowledge of the amunas. This method also allows for the addition of more minerals to the drinking water. Once the soil absorbs the water, the water irrigates down the river to the citizens below.
People living in Lima, Peru are reinvigorating water planting—acknowledging the method as a sustainable practice for cleaning water. However, it is not just Lima; other Andean towns have also readopted this method to combat water scarcity. Early tests showed that water planting provided double the amount of water Lima needed for the season, according to BBC.
Bofedales
Bofedales, an Inca-utilized resource, is a natural or man-made wetland or spring found in Peru. These miracle hot spots promote microbe growth, organism growth and vegetation growth—all of which help promote clean water. The Inca recognized the importance of these year-round springs and even created their own artificial wetlands to help meet their water needs.
However, in recent years poachers have raided Bofedales for rare flowers—which poachers then sell in cities at great profit. Without these plants and trees, water does not have proper filtration and therefore it is not clean, according to BBC. This means the systems the Inca created for their own freshwater need protection from poachers. It is not too late to save these wetlands. It is not too late to save Peru.
Stopping Deforestation
Nature has a way of working symbiotically, ecosystems are reliant on all their components to function properly. Without all these components, the ecosystem fails—the Inca knew this. Their methods relied on the symbiotic nature of the environment. Part of this includes an abundance of trees with deep, healthy roots. As a result, removing those trees and vegetation negatively impacts water quality.
This was the case in Moyobamba. When farmers tore down trees and turned the land into agricultural property, the quality of water suffered greatly. A coalition of environmental organizations—both local and international—developed agreements between farmers and Peruvians. Law groups introduced tariffs, resulting in Peruvians paying a small amount for farmers to reforest their land. The environmental organizations formed education groups and conservation initiatives, which saved the people of Moyobamba and became a blueprint for other cities in Peru to follow.
When the Inca and pre-Inca created their networks for clean water, they created the future for their future children. Their work may be the hope for the nation as natural infrastructures reemerge and people utilize them. Truly, Inca and pre-Inca water systems are Peru’s future.
– Thomas LaPorte
Photo: Flickr
3 Films that Highlight Problems in Developing Countries
Making a film about the problems that people in developing countries struggle with often is not enough. It has to move people, make them talk and ideally influence change. Here are three films that highlight problems in developing countries and help change the world for the better.
“Desert Flower”
The film “Desert Flower” is based on the true story of Waris Dirie who experienced female genital mutilation (FGM) at 5 years old in Somalia. When she was 13, she escaped a forced marriage and ran away to London where she worked as a housemaid and at McDonald’s. At the age of 18, British photographer Terence Donovan helped her start a successful career in modeling. Now she is an activist against female genital mutilation. The film became a part of many anti-FGM campaigns in schools, universities, film festivals and other events across the globe. A number of organizations, including the UNHCR, UNICEF and embassies, have displayed “Desert Flower” as a profound statement in the fight against FGM.
FGM has impacted more than 200 million women around the world. According to UNICEF, it affects around 30 million girls across Africa. That is why, in 2002, Waris Dirie established the Desert Flower Foundation which aims to end female genital mutilation, educate people and save girls from it. The foundation also covers the cost of surgery and medical treatment for FGM victims. In 2013, in association with the hospital Waldfriede in Berlin, it opened the Desert Flower Center to provide quality health care for FGM victims. In addition, the organization created a project called Save a Little Desert Flower which saved 1,000 girls in Africa by entering into agreements with the parents to ensure their integrity. It started with the Together for African Women initiative in Ethiopia in 2011. The project gives women education and provides them with work skills that will allow them to become financially independent.
“Lion”
“Lion” is a film based on the story of Saroo Brierley. Growing up poor in India, he and his brother had to provide their family with money. In 1986, when Saroo was 5 years old, he fell asleep on the train while he was waiting for his brother. The train took him many miles away from his home to Calcutta. He had to survive on the streets, lived in an orphanage and then ended up in an Australian family. As an adult, he got a chance to find his family in India using Google Earth. He spent five years trying to recall the places he grew up in. After separation from his birth family, which lasted for 25 years, he finally found them. That shows how technology these days can do remarkable things.
In India, approximately 1.5 million children grow up without families in residential facilities that are badly managed and leave children prone to violence and exploitation. The movie highlighted that problem and inspired Purvi and Harsh Padia to collaborate with UNICEF USA to establish Project LION in 2018. In association with 12 state governments and the national Government of India, the project has developed non-institutional, family-based alternative care for children. Project LION took care of more than half a million children in its first three years. UNICEF has distinguished significant improvements in the provision of care for underprivileged children in India. There has been prevalent adoption of more child-friendly care models. The quality of care at children’s facilities has increased, especially when handling the special requirements and cases of children in a suitable and efficient manner.
“Capharnaüm”
“Capharnaüm” finishes off the list of films that highlight problems in developing countries. It is a story about a Lebanese boy named Zain who sues his parents for giving him life. Zain’s family is poor so they force their 11-year-old daughter Sahar into an arranged marriage with a man twice her age Assad. That decision makes Zain run away from home and survive on the streets of Beirut. At some point, he lives with another illegal immigrant Rahil and takes care of her baby Yonas. However, no matter how street-smart Zain is, he still ends up in jail and becomes another victim of the system because he does not have identity papers.
As Nadine Labaki said in an interview with The Guardian, “For me, film-making and activism are one and the same thing. I really do believe cinema can effect social change.” That is why it is important to learn by watching films that highlight problems in developing countries. It can start a conversation and affect change.
– Elizaveta Medvedkina
Photo: Flickr
Mobile Money Transfers in Villages
Through the process of mobile transfer, recipients in villages have empowered themselves economically to pay for urgent health care delivery, education of their children and wards, clothing, accommodation, travel and sundry other needs that village dwellers have. Village dwellers in the developing world have one common problem when dealing with daily survival tasks like health care delivery, food, travel, trade, education and more. That common problem is access to cash. Long distances separate them from banks and automated teller machines (ATMs). Therefore, they need help paying for urgently needed products and services. This situation compounds their poverty.
Farmers, craftsmen and producers often have to wait for designated market days to sell their products for badly needed cash. During days in between, they have to endure extreme lack and deprivation and sometimes, the conditions of sick persons get worse and in some cases may lead to death. Even when relatives living in cities or abroad have the means and desire to assist their kin, they cannot do so due to the non-existence of rural banking or cash points/ATMs. However, the situation is now improving. The introduction of mobile money transfer technology enabled by widespread ownership of mobile phones in rural areas and the emergence of several network providers has brought relief to village dwellers. In Nigeria, Mobile Telephone Network (MTN) introduced MTN Mobile Money, popularly called MOMO and its impact on the villagers is like a miracle.
The MTN mobile money transfer launched in Nigeria on August 29, 2019. Although it had been operating in smaller African countries including Ghana and Cameroon, its potential to affect a larger population and therefore be able to lift more people out of poverty on the continent is bigger in Nigeria.
Definition of Mobile Money
The Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR), Europe’s leading network of Economic Research defines Mobile Money as follows: “Mobile money refers to financial transaction services potentially available to anyone using a mobile phone, including the unbanked global poor who are not a profitable target for commercial banks.”
A blog on the World Bank website further defines mobile money as “……Services whereby customers use their mobile device to send and receive monetary value – or more simply put, to transfer money electronically from one person to another using a mobile phone.”
For the village dweller, the rapid transaction that results in ready cash for his immediate needs is a miracle. Relatives and buyers of products and services across the globe can remit money home or pay for services rapidly. Through the process of mobile transfer, recipients in villages have empowered themselves economically to pay for urgent health care delivery, education of their children and wards, clothing, accommodation, travel and sundry other needs that village dwellers have.
What is the Attraction of Mobile Money Transfers?
The Impact
In a study conducted on the impact of mobile money transfers on rural dwellers in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The conclusions found that:
Looking Ahead
The full impact of mobile money transfers on alleviating global poverty in rural areas continues to unfold as new studies into the technology and its application emerge. Many more countries in the developing world are now catching up to the miracle of mobile money transfers. It enables governments to put into practice the policy of financial inclusion that international financial institutions have advocated for as the gateway to alleviating global poverty.
– Friday Okai
Photo: Flickr
About Zimbabwe Since Mugabe
Zimbabwe, officially the Republic of Zimbabwe and formerly recognized as Rhodesia. Zimbabwe is a landlocked nation in southern Africa bordering South Africa to its south and Zambia to its north. The nation gained independence in 1980 after a long period of colonial rule. Similarly to South Africa, Zimbabwe suffered a period of white-dominated rule in which the country suffered severe human rights violations, especially to the majority black population.
One of the longest-sitting leaders in modern times, some considered Robert Mugabe to be a revolutionary hero. Having led the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU – PF) and ousted the minority white government of Zimbabwe, Mugabe became the leader of the nation. Serving as President from 1987 to 2017. At first, many in Zimbabwe may have felt optimistic about Zimbabwe’s future, but after 30 years of economic stagnation and rampant hyperinflation, a military coup ultimately ousted President Mugabe. His dismal leadership of Zimbabwe’s economy and reports of many human rights violations are the main reasons for his departure. Here is some information about Zimbabwe since Mugabe.
The Economy
Unfortunately for President Mnangagwa, his predecessor left Zimbabwe in economic peril. With Mugabe gone, there was much elation at the prospect of a new leader in Zimbabwe, with many finally believing that the worst may be behind them. Mnangagwa promised the people of Zimbabwe economic prosperity and more democracy. The President stated at ZANU – PF headquarters that “No one is more important than the other. We are all Zimbabweans. We want to grow our economy. We want jobs.”
However, economic prosperity has yet to come, with some in the nation believing that Zimbabwe since Mugabe has actually worsened. Zimbabwe’s inflation problem seems to have continued under the new leadership, having a 557.2% inflation rate in 2020. However, 2021 saw a 458.66% decline in inflation to 98.55%.
The problem with hyperinflation is that the Zimbabwean dollar is effectively worthless, making it very hard for the economy to grow as foreign imports will simply be far too expensive. Many in Zimbabwe prefer using the U.S. dollar, whereas the South African Rand is the most common. However, the GDP per Capita in Zimbabwe was $1,774 in 2021, a 29.23% increase from 2020.
Poverty in Zimbabwe requires attention. The poverty rate in Zimbabwe was 85% in 2019, a 0.9% increase from 2017, the year Mugabe left the presidency.
Indicating that in the nearly six years since Mugabe, the government has been unable to make any significant change to poverty in the nation. Alongside a disturbingly high poverty rate, the country has an estimated 90% of the citizens either unemployed or work informally to make a living.
Human Rights
Perhaps unsurprisingly, with Mnangagwa being a member and leader of the ZANU – PF party, the same party as former President Mugabe and the only party in power since the ending of the white minority rule in Zimbabwe, human rights in Zimbabwe continue to be an issue in the nation.
Mnangagwa promised change in Zimbabwe, however, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW) the situation continued to decline in 2020 under President Mnangagwa. According to HRW, more than 70 critics of the government were abducted and tortured in 2020. The HRW stated that “Security forces also continued to commit arbitrary arrests, violent assaults, abductions, torture and other abuses’ against anyone critical of the government.”
With Human Rights violations such as these, it is fair to suggest that not much has changed in Zimbabwe since Mugabe. As ex-President Mugabe received criticism for corruption and silencing of critics.
Government Reaction to Human Rights
Under the leadership of Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe only repealed one law from the Mugabe era. Critics have suggested the government’s slow implementation of its commitment to political reform shows its lack of interest to re-engage with the international community. Instead, the party with a stranglehold of the politics in the nation would rather pursue the continuation of power in Zimbabwe. Al Jazeera spoke to a Zimbabwean citizen who said that “Under Mugabe, things were getting bad. It’s the same group of people (in power) essentially.”
The government however refutes this, suggesting that Mnangagwa has managed to stabilize the currency and committed to opening up the country for business. While the future certainly looks dim for Zimbabwe since Mugabe, there are some glimmers of hope. Zimbabwe actually has the second-largest platinum deposit in the world. The nation also has a significant amount of gold with more than 4,000 recorded gold deposits found so far in Zimbabwe. While the country’s mining sector in the Great Dyke has been inefficient up until now, the government aims to grow its platinum exports considerably.
Looking Ahead
The potential of Zimbabwe’s mining sector could be huge, generating more revenue, creating new foreign investment opportunities and long-lasting well-paid jobs for Zimbabwean citizens. If done correctly, the government in Zimbabwe may be able to significantly reduce severe levels of unemployment and rampant poverty.
– Josef Whitehead
Photo: Flickr
Addressing the Energy Crisis in Ukraine
Up until recently, Ukrainian citizens have had an unseasonably mild start to the winter, meaning energy and electricity usage has been at a minimum in comparison to previous winters. However, in mid-January, meteorologists predicted a sudden drop in temperatures to -11 C in Kyiv and even colder in Eastern Ukraine at -18 C. The lowest temperatures Kyiv experienced since those predictions were around -5 C, a sharp decrease from previous highs of 10 C. With this sudden cold, which many expect will only worsen over the next few weeks, it is only normal that energy and electricity use will increase as citizens try to keep warm, which could lead to an energy crisis in Ukraine.
Energy as a Russian Target
The Russo-Ukrainian War, which began with the Russian invasion roughly a year ago, has seen Russian forces targeting civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. Since October 2022, Russian air forces have been consistently attacking key Ukrainian energy infrastructure such as hydro plants, dams and nuclear power plants, causing the energy crisis in Ukraine. These strikes along with general shell and grenade damage to cities have caused massive damage to electricity and energy infrastructure, particularly in Kyiv. While Moscow has defended its actions by stating the targets are military-linked facilities, countries and international watchdogs are claiming Russia is committing war crimes by targeting civilian infrastructure. Amnesty International, for example, claimed that “carrying out these attacks with the sole purpose of terrorizing civilians is a war crime.”
Blackouts
Ukraine’s energy grids are having to conduct emergency outages to conserve energy and electricity. Moreover, officials are urging civilians to conserve electricity as temperatures plummet. Kyiv’s mayor claimed this was necessary as the “deficit of electricity is significant.” There is no saying how much energy each individual would need to survive if blackouts become the norm.
Communication With Family
The war has been ripping many Ukrainian families apart, with some members staying in Ukraine and others seeking refuge elsewhere. This forced families to rely on the internet and electricity to maintain contact with their loved ones via platforms such as FaceTime and Zoom. Electricity is a precious resource in more ways than one, and without it, Ukrainian citizens will not have any way to stay in touch with their families.
NGO Working to Solve Ukraine’s Energy Crisis
Ecoclub, a Ukrainian NGO focusing on sustainable energy production, recently installed solar panels for a hospital in the Ukrainian city of Zviahel. The new solar panels provide enough energy to maintain the functioning of 11 ventilators that support patients in intensive care. Ecoclub plans to install solar power plants for six hospitals to alleviate the stress of the energy crisis in Ukraine. The initiative will allow patients to continue to receive the care they need, regardless of energy grid blackouts or Russian attacks.
– Genevieve Lewis
Photo: Flickr
Azerbaijan’s Renewable Energy Project
Azerbaijan is now partnering with Masdar, a United Arab Emirates (UAE)- based company, to create substantial new renewable energy resources. Azerbaijan’s renewable energy project will annually produce four gigawatts (4GW) of wind and solar power. This should help preserve energy security. It should also create a more sustainable economic future for the country.
The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), which is Azerbaijan’s national integrated oil and gas company, represented Azerbaijan in the January 2023 agreement. SOCAR strives to improve Azerbaijan’s energy security. Significantly, Azerbaijan’s renewable energy project should energize the country’s sustainability goal to have 30% of its energy from renewables by 2030.
Azerbaijan Basics
The Republic of Azerbaijan is a nation located in the south Caucasus region. Russia borders it to the north, the Caspian Sea to the east, Iran to the south and Armenia and Georgia to the west. Its population of approximately 10.1 million live on 86,600 square kilometers.
Azerbaijan’s gross domestic product (GDP) has been steadily increasing since the country’s economic crisis between 2015 and 2016 left people in poverty. The current GDP per capita in Azerbaijan is $5,388. Moreover, a 2018 United Nations report found Azerbaijan to be the country with the highest rate of social equality in an index of 194 countries.
Energy in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan’s energy supply is still largely reliant on fossil fuels. In fact, 98% of the country’s energy supply comes from oil and gas. It is also a key oil and gas supplier to other nations. At the end of 2017, Azerbaijan’s oil reserves accounted for 0.4% of the total global energy reserves.
In 2015, falling oil prices devastated Azerbaijan’s economy. More diverse energy sources, such as those offered by Azerbaijan’s renewable energy project, could help Azerbaijan to achieve greater energy stability.
Also, while Azerbaijan’s energy security remains strong, the finite and polluting nature of fossil fuels means that their longevity cannot be assured. That is why SOCAR wishes to transition towards more renewable resources to greater Azerbaijan’s energy security and secure a more sustainable future.
Masdar’s Investment in Azerbaijan and Green Energy
Madsar chairman Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber said of Azerbaijan’s renewable energy project: “Masdar sees Azerbaijan as a key strategic partner, one we are proud to support in its clean energy journey. This signing marks a milestone on the development and delivery of a significant collaboration that will advance Azerbaijan’s renewable energy goals and support its ongoing sustainable economic development.”
This is not Masdar’s first investment in Azerbaijan. First, Masdar is developing a solar power plant in Garadagh on the east coast of Azerbaijan. It will generate 500 million kilowatt-hours of electricity a year. In addition, in 2022, the firm had already signed agreements with the country’s Ministry of Energy for the development of a 10GW renewable energy program. That program’s first phase focuses on corraling onshore wind and solar power. The second phase will focus on offshore wind and green hydrogen energy production.
Madsar is a growing company in the green energy transition. They also recently signed a 1GW wind energy deal with Kazakhstan in January 2023.
Azerbaijan’s Economic Future
Azerbaijan’s renewable energy project could be an effective means of stabilizing and diversifying its economy. Not only is Azerbaijan’s renewable energy project good for a more stable economy, but it is also good for the country’s environment and its citizens’ health.
– Florence Jones
Photo: Flickr
Camels to Help Ease Poverty in Niger
When something so essential to a country’s well-being is on an economic swing, it may be hard for it to maintain— especially if there is no warning of the ways that will lead to an abundance of woes. In a land where agriculture is dire to the prosperity of its people, many cannot afford the setbacks stemming from a poor water infrastructure. However, in Niger, where the water is either too little or too much to sustain anyone, it is the livestock that heavily influences the level of poverty in Niger and determines who the poverty affects.
Background
Harmattan’s dry, dust-filled winds are frequent in Africa’s west side, dissolving clouds, lowering humidity and replacing the once fertile landscapes with inarable terrain. Increased temperatures in these settings will lead to the pervasiveness of droughts and strain in the agricultural sector— one that employs almost 90% of the population and could be a way out of poverty in Niger.
Last year, Niger experienced a 78% rainfall deficit in which its economy struggled to stay afloat. The agriculture sector makes up 40% of Niger’s GDP, missing the percentage of those living in extreme poverty by just 1.8%.
As the probability of a good year’s harvest dwindles due to prolonged drought, irregular rainfall and the increase in unsuitable land to carry out agricultural activity, many find themselves working in the field of livestock production where the benefits seem to outweigh the risks.
Livestock has a heavy association with wealth; 69% of livestock herders did so to make money. In rural areas, this figure increased by 10% with 79% of the population reporting that they were involved in livestock work to generate wealth, according to the 2020 Helda report.
Camels as a Status Animal
Though livestock production is not an avenue all Nigeriens explore, it is responsible for 90% of the country’s exports. However, all livestock production is not for monetary gain. According to World Atlas, some Nigeriens opt for subsistence farming where they carry out tasks to sustain themselves and their family.
During the dry season, farmers who engage in transhumance pastoralism begin to move their livestock through Niger’s mainlands in order for their livestock to feed, according to the 2020 Helda report. On these expeditions, herders sell, trade with or buy from locals. One camel can cost and sell for more than $1,600.
Breeding camels contribute to economic expansion as various breeds are in high demand. The value of the camel and other livestock goes without saying. In rural parts of Niger, people use livestock as an alternative payment method, according to the 2020 Helda report. Having a multitude of animals is also seen as a status symbol.
Milk Production
Camels also produce milk. However, milk coming from camels only consisted of 10.1% of the annual milk-related products to have come from the country, according to the 2020 Helda report. However, one entrepreneur, Wouro Habsatou Aboubacar set out to change that when she started her own camel milking and herding business as a teen. Aboubacar owns more than 100 camels and provides local groceries with milk and its townspeople with a source of employment. Niger is one of the top milk producers in West Africa, making more than 1,700 liters of milk a year, according to the 2020 Helda report.
Poverty Reduction
Rural poverty in Niger was at a time, averaging 65.5% in 1999. Urban poverty stood at 35.3%. Since the use of livestock as a means of survival and poverty reduction has been implemented, poverty dropped from 2005-2011, when Niger was among one of the countries that surpassed other coastal countries in livestock production. During 2011-2012, Niger made more than $482 million a year off meat alone, according to the 2020 Helda report.
Nigerien farmers usually make $500 a year. This number could increase by 12% if small-scale irrigation becomes widespread. At present, Niger’s economy is recovering from blows taken during the pandemic where their economy dropped by 1.5%, according to the World Bank. The agricultural boom could not only help the nation’s overall economy but the people living there as well.
– Dorothy Quanteh
Photo: Flickr
Ilhan Omar’s US-Africa Policy Working Group
On January 31, 2023, representative Ilhan Omar from Minnesota announced the creation of the U.S.-Africa Policy Working Group. This group “will endeavor to be a clearinghouse for active, sincere and consistent engagement with experts and policymakers working with and in Africa,” a press release highlights, in order to further the growth and prosperity of the continent. Omar said in her press release that she plans on holding regular briefings with officials from the Biden-Harris administration, organizations and journalists and looks to understand the points of view of the very people that U.S. policy affects.
Goals of the Group
Omar stresses that the main focus of the group will be addressing the current conflicts and crises in Africa. Of particular concern is the ongoing crisis in Ethiopia, a culmination of multiple factors.
The Center for Disaster Philanthropy says, “the combination of armed conflict, climate shocks, disease outbreaks and the socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19 have led to the deterioration in humanitarian conditions in the country.” As such, in 2023, 28.6 million people, equal to more than a fifth of the country’s people, require urgent humanitarian aid.
About 9.9 million Ethiopians are in need of food aid and 2.9 million children and pregnant/lactating women need critical nutrition interventions to prevent malnutrition. This crisis is also affecting children and their education. In September 2022, UNICEF estimated that 1.14 million students were susceptible to disenrolling from school.
Furthermore, at the start of the 2022/2023 school year, about 13 million Ethiopian children had not enrolled in school. With COVID-19 cases nearing 500,000 as of February 7, 2023, and diseases such as cholera becoming more common on top of widespread violence throughout the country, it is crucial for the U.S.-Africa working group to make the crisis in Ethiopia a priority.
Applauding Africa’s Triumphs
Besides focusing on the various issues that the African continent contends with, the U.S.-Africa working group also looks to focus on the triumphs of Africa, such as “Senegal’s extraordinary leadership in global health” and the human rights advocacy across Africa.
An important part of the plan is to include Africans so that the world can also hear perspectives on global issues from Africa. “It is my sincere hope that it will become a central player in creating lasting partnerships and building up a base of expertise so that Congress can be more actively involved in U.S. policy in Africa and help move the conversation forward for many years to come,” Omar said in a statement about the U.S.-Africa working group.
The Importance
Because there are many issues currently happening in the world, it is important to consider input from multiple outlooks. The U.S.-Africa Policy Working Group will increase engagement with Africa and allow the world to gain insight directly from the continent’s experts and leaders. Learning about African interests globally will allow the U.S. to develop policies that directly address the needs of the people, especially considering that the extreme poverty rate in sub-Saharan Africa stood at 38.9% by April 2022, equating to 420 million people.
The unique perspectives that come along with this can also give the United States a broader view of different global issues, such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict and ongoing crises elsewhere. Keeping a working relationship between the United States and countries in Africa is vital to understanding how policies in the United States affect different regions and countries.
– Olivia MacGregor
Photo: Flickr
Insect Farming to Reduce Food Insecurity
InsectiPro is a Kenyan company that engages in insect farming to reduce food insecurity in Africa. With growing populations in Africa comes an increasing demand for food sources, but the current food supply outweighs the demand. The 2022 Global Report on Food Crises 2022 Mid-Year Update highlights that, at minimum, one in five people in Africa ends the day without meeting their food needs and about 140 million individuals in Africa endure acute levels of food insecurity. InsectiPro is creating “sustainable, nutritious and profitable systems” with its unique solution to food poverty. The company focuses on achieving four of the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as an aim to end poverty and inequality: dissolving hunger and malnutrition (SDG 2), “industry and innovation” (SDG 9), “responsible consumption and production” (SDG 12) and engaging in partnerships (SDG 17).
The Work of InsectiPro
InsectiPro farms black soldier flies and crickets on a large, commercial scale, ensuring there is a bulk supply of a nutritious food source for people in Kenya. This is important work considering the World Bank’s report in 2020 that 26.1% of Kenya’s population suffers from severe levels of food insecurity. In Kenya, locally sourced meat and fish are expensive, especially for impoverished families. Instead of getting rid of insects that farmers often find on their lands, these insects could be used as an alternative food source. InsectiPro looks to “make insect consumption widely accepted,” The Index Project says.
How Does InsectiPro Operate?
The company grows crickets in “stackable crates,” which maximizes farming space as opposed to utilizing spans of farmland. An adult female cricket can lay as many as 100 eggs each day, and since they prefer to lay their eggs in damp, warm areas, the crates that InsectiPro uses provide an ideal breeding environment. Once 10 days pass, the InsectiPro team transfers crickets to feeding trays, where they remain for a further five weeks. Then, the crickets are “harvested, frozen, thawed and baked,” How we made it in Africa reports. The company currently offers three types of cricket products — porridge, a powder and a crunchy snack.
Insects as a Food Source
Crickets are a very valuable food source due to their protein-rich nature and essential amino acid content. Studies indicate that crickets may contain up to 73% of protein. The fact that crickets contain up to three more complete proteins compared to a piece of beef of the same weight and provide higher levels of iron, vitamins and fiber illustrates their nutritional value.
Black soldier flies are also high in protein and can stand as a sustainable food option. Farming insects to reduce food insecurity also has the potential to address protein deficiencies that could manifest in malnutrition and life-threatening conditions, such as kwashiorkor and marasmus. Therefore, in the aim to make nations in Africa more food secure and healthy, plentiful supplies of protein in the form of crickets have significant potential.
Plans for the Future
InsectiPro currently works in Kenya, but the company has already received requests to export its goods to other nations. The practice of growing insects in Africa is becoming more and more prominent because of its vast benefits. The company has received a certificate from the local bureau of standards and is also focusing its attention on regional markets. InsectiPro has plans to expand to Uganda in 2023 and Rwanda in 2024 but says it will stick to farming the insects commonly consumed in those areas, namely, grasshoppers.
Insect farming to reduce food insecurity is a revolutionary idea that could become more popular in the near future. Addressing food insecurity is a vital part of tackling poverty and the unique work of InsectiPro is a positive step in the right direction.
– Ruby Wallace
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Argentina’s Agricultural Innovations
Argentina is notable for many things—be it for the most visited city in South America, Buenos Aires, for its exquisite native flora or for its sugar production. However, Argentina needs recognition for its agricultural innovations that are helping to eliminate food insecurity.
New Techniques to Combat Food Insecurity
Food insecurity is common in Argentina. In fact, 35.8% of the population suffered from food insecurity from 2018-2019. That number increased to 37% through 2020. However, farmers are tackling this issue through new farming practices to increase annual crop yields.
Argentina is a country of unique potential, a country with the capacity for strong eco-friendly and sustainable agricultural practices. While Argentina is susceptible to changing weather patterns and natural disasters, farmers are actively examining sustainable practices to reduce their carbon footprint and increase food production in the face of disaster.
Soil Sequestration
Soil, which consists of decomposing plant materials, holds or “sequesters” carbon from the atmosphere. That is how the soil becomes enriched and food production increases. Soil sequestration creates cleaner air and benefits human health.
In colder climates, the soil can store carbon for longer durations, making the next harvest cycle yield greater crops. Additionally, perennial crops that live beyond a single year can store a greater amount of carbon in the soil. This method allows for deep roots to form and spread the carbon deeper into the soil. Farmers can seed cover plants such as beans and peas after they harvest the perennial plants. That promotes year-round soil sequestration.
Soil Sequestration Initiatives in Argentina
Currently, Grupo Avinea, the largest organic wine producer based in Argentina, has implemented soil sequestration practices. The company made the switch in 2022 because of the health benefits to its crops, along with the benefits of lowering carbon in the atmosphere. It is only one of the many companies which agreed to make the switch based on conversations held at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), known as COP21 that took place in Paris in 2015. The COP21 initiative that Grupo Avinea adopted is “4 per 1000.” That refers to annually increasing soil carbon capture by 0.4%. The COP21 summit felt this “4 per 1000” is an amount that will substantively reduce the carbon in our atmosphere. Other companies that made the switch in Argentina include Bodega Argento and Otronia.
No-Till Farming
A second of Argentina’s agricultural innovations is the adoption of no-till farming. Tillage is the act of using machines to turn soil before seeding. For a long time, farmers considered tillage as the best practice for attaining large crop yields; however, farmers now recognize evidence that suggests that tillage has several downsides. These include causing the release of unnecessary into the atmosphere from the soil during tillage, harm to the microbes and insects that affect the health of the crops and tilling machines wasting immense amounts of fuel. Not to mention that tilled soil is susceptible to natural wind and water erosion. It also makes irrigation difficult, keeping water from seeping into the soil below.
Instead, now farmers are opting to till less. Around 80% of all Argentinian farmers have adopted no-till farming practices. This makes Argentina a world leader in no-till farming. Argentinian farmers use organic plant matter as soil toppers to prevent weeds that would take moisture from the soil that is intended for the crops. They also strategically use herbicides and insecticides. The Argentina Association of Direct Seeding (no-till) Producers researches and guides farmers in best practices for no-till technologies.
Precision Agriculture
A third of Argentina’s agricultural innovations is “precision agriculture.” With precision agriculture, farmers use technologies to monitor and collect data about their soil and crops. It helps farmers accurately target what their crops need in order to flourish. These technologies include geospatial data analysis, cloud computing and machine learning. Precision agriculture can help eliminate over-watering and over-fertilizing, which will save farmers money and lowers the negative impact on the environment.
Currently, the leader in precision agriculture in Argentina is the Asociación de Cooperativas Argentinas (ACA), which continues to develop technology for farmers to increase their crop yields. ACA has worked with more than 50,000 farmers in Argentina. Farmers can share the data gathered from ACA’s data platform with each other. This strengthens the farming communities and advances healthy farming habits.
Irrigation Networks
Argentina continues to expand its farmland with row crops, but it lacks waterways and irrigation networks to support its farms. In fact, only 7% or 5.6 million acres have proper irrigation networks. A lack of irrigation networks can lead to underwatering, overwatering and flooding. Of course, all of these situations are detrimental to crop yields. Farmers are currently hoping to increase irrigation networks by 28% and that will greatly affect the amount of viable food farmers produce each year. When this expansion occurs, it should revolutionize the crop yield, waste less water and save money.
Looking Ahead
The combination of soil sequestration, no-till farming, precision agriculture and increased irrigation networks should greatly strengthen Argentina’s food production and crop yields. Argentina’s agricultural innovations will also allow an increase in the country’s ability to export goods around the globe. By using these agricultural innovations in this multi-faceted and deliberate manner, Argentina is on a good path to the sustainability of its people and its land.
– Thomas LaPorte
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