Latin America’s farmers are grappling with climate extremes that threaten crop yields and food security. In this region, 74% of countries are highly exposed to droughts, floods and other weather disasters that reduce agricultural productivity and disrupt food supplies. Nearly 28% of the population faces food insecurity, underscoring an urgent need to boost farm resilience.
To tackle these challenges, farmers and innovators across Latin America are turning to Artificial Intelligence (AI). New tools, ranging from predictive analytics and precision irrigation to image recognition and decision-support apps, are helping producers forecast their harvests, optimize resource use and increase yields. By leveraging data on climate, soil and crops, AI in Latin America’s agriculture offers a promising path to grow more food with fewer resources in the face of the changing climate.
Data-Driven Farming in Brazil Improves Yields
In Brazil, agri-tech startup Agrosmart is pioneering the use of AI to make farming more predictable and climate-smart. Launched in 2014, Agrosmart now supports more than 100,000 farmers across Latin America with real-time data on weather and soil conditions. The platform integrates on-farm sensors, satellite imagery and machine learning to guide decisions at every step of cultivation, from optimal seed planting dates to targeted irrigation and fertilizer use.
According to Agrosmart’s founders, this data-driven approach can reduce water usage by up to 60% and energy costs by 20%, while helping farmers maintain healthy yields. By adopting such AI analytics, growers are better able to anticipate weather patterns and crop needs, rather than relying on traditional almanacs or guesswork.
Agrosmart’s success reflects a wider digital revolution on Latin America’s farms. AI-powered decision tools are increasingly common, from drones that monitor crop health to smart cameras that identify weeds for precision herbicide spraying. These technologies boost productivity by detecting issues early and optimizing field management.
For example, Puerto Rico-based startup TerraFirma uses AI analysis of satellite images to forecast environmental risks like upcoming storms, crop diseases or soil erosion. By predicting such threats in advance, farmers can take preventive steps to protect their harvests. Overall, AI analytics are enabling Latin American producers to boost yields and reduce losses through more informed, proactive farm management.
“With the world’s population expected to reach nearly 10 billion by 2050, technologies like AI are humanity’s best hope for sustainable food production,” notes Agrosmart CEO Mariana Vasconcelos.
Precision Irrigation From Argentina to Chile
Water is another critical focus for AI in agriculture. Farms consume about 70% of global freshwater and up to 90% in developing countries. In drought-prone parts of Latin America, conserving water while keeping crops productive is a top priority.
Argentine startup Kilimo has risen to this challenge with an AI-powered irrigation management platform. Kilimo’s system analyzes data from satellites, weather forecasts and soil sensors to tell farmers when and how much to irrigate for optimal crop growth. By using machine learning to predict each crop’s water needs, the platform acts like a “smart irrigation advisor,” sending recommendations via an app or SMS even to remote fields.
This allows farmers to give crops enough water for top yields without waste. In practice, farmers using Kilimo have reduced their water consumption by up to 20% while maintaining (or even boosting) their yields. Over the past two years, Kilimo’s tool has helped save an estimated 72 billion liters of water (about 19 billion gallons) across several countries. The company now operates in seven Latin American nations, including Argentina, Mexico and Chile, reaching more than 2,000 farmers with its water-saving AI recommendations.
The impact of precision irrigation is best demonstrated in central Chile. In the Biobío region, an area facing seasonal water stress, farmers adopted smart irrigation systems equipped with IoT soil-moisture sensors. According to Chile’s Ministry of Agriculture, these data-driven systems precisely determine when and how much to water each crop, avoiding over-irrigation.
The results have been striking: farms using smart irrigation in Biobío cut water usage by up to 30%, yet saw crop yields increase by as much as 20% thanks to more efficient water delivery. This finding, echoed by the Inter-American Development Bank, shows that better water management directly translates into higher productivity. In addition, pumping less water saves energy and costs, a win-win for farmers’ finances and the environment.
Precision irrigation guided by AI is thus helping Latin American growers produce more food with less water. This innovation bolsters food security in increasingly dry growing conditions.
AI in Latin America’s Agriculture
Beyond climate and water management, AI-driven tools are improving many aspects of crop monitoring and harvest planning. In Chile, researchers at the University of Bío-Bío have developed an AI system using drones and image recognition to assist blueberry farmers. Drones periodically fly over the blueberry fields, capturing multispectral images of the plants at each growth stage.
An AI model analyzes these images and delivers real-time data via a mobile app, showing farmers the ripeness of their fruit across the field. This allows growers to pinpoint the optimal harvest time, ensuring berries are picked at peak maturity for quality and yield. The same system can automatically detect early signs of problems, alerting farmers to pest infestations or frost damage on the crop before those threats spread.
By acting as a constant set of “eyes” on the field, such AI vision technology helps farmers make faster, better-informed decisions that protect yields and reduce post-harvest losses. Similarly, other Latin American producers are using smartphone apps and sensors as digital field assistants. These range from apps that identify crop diseases from a photo to automated warning systems that activate when weather conditions favor a potential pest outbreak.
The Broader Impact
Each of these tools adds a layer of resilience for small farmers, who can respond to challenges in real time rather than suffer surprise crop failures. Crucially, these innovations contribute to a more secure food supply. Higher yields and efficient practices mean more stable production of staples like grains, fruits and vegetables.
Smart farming also promotes sustainability by minimizing inputs like water, fertilizers and chemicals, which helps preserve the natural resources that agriculture depends on. Development experts point out that embracing technology and climate-smart innovation is key to safeguarding Latin America’s agricultural future. A 2025 Inter-American Development Bank report highlighted digital agriculture as a tool to “improve yields and efficiency, protect natural capital and unlock the potential for a competitive, resilient development” in the region.
Governments and NGOs are increasingly partnering with tech firms to expand these solutions. These efforts range from national AI agriculture strategies to pilot programs that bring low-cost farm sensors to rural communities. With supportive policies and training, even more farmers can adopt AI-based services to enhance their productivity.
Final Remarks
The rise of AI in Latin America’s agriculture offers hopeful evidence that the region can meet its food security challenges through innovation. From Brazil’s big data platforms to Argentina’s water-saving apps and Chile’s smart irrigation networks, each success story represents a step toward a more predictable and plentiful harvest. Of course, scaling up these technologies to benefit smallholder farmers across diverse geographies remains a task ahead.
Nonetheless, as Latin America stands on the brink of this agricultural tech revolution, experts are optimistic. By carefully and inclusively implementing AI solutions, the region can cultivate a more sustainable and food-secure future. In the face of climate uncertainty, AI in Latin America’s agriculture is empowering farmers to not only predict their harvests but also to improve them, season after season.
– Elena Cárdenas
Elena is based in Monterrey, Mexico and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Flickr
Raising Wages for Cocoa Farmers in Latin America
At a press conference, post-conflict adviser Emilio Archila addressed funding challenges that may disrupt the program. Rural farmers often rely on the growth of illicit plants to make a living. As a result, Afro-Colombians and displaced people in the region face disparities in access to vital resources. Eliminating the cultivation of illicit coca plants would decrease rates of violence while providing a sustainable and safer way to earn a living.
Living Standards
Individuals like Joel Palacios, former Minister of the Interior, are dedicated to improving the living standards of underdeveloped areas where Afro-Colombians reside. The goal is to do this through a process of eliminating illicit farm products and replacing coca plants with cocoa trees. Adding nurseries throughout the country will decrease the number of farmers living in poverty. Currently, farmers in Chocó grow cacao that Palacios turns into chocolate bars. He sells the bars in the country’s capital, Bogotá.
With the aid of the National Cacao Producers Federation, Palacios aimed to gain knowledge of cocoa pod harvesting skills in western Colombia. His education provided farmers with training in modern agricultural methods. Later, Palacios founded a school and artisanal chocolate company in Bogotá, selling nearly 1,000 pounds of cacao each month and adding jobs and opportunities to succeed in cocoa farming with help from the Quibdó Municipal Association of Cacao Producers.
Reducing Poverty Through Fair Trade
Focusing on Fairtrade will impact poverty reduction among cocoa farmers by increasing wages, while families move above the poverty line. Their clients help farmers with supply chain needs through Fairtrade producer organizations. Fairtrade clients work with farmers, workers and consumers in other countries, paying premiums to obtain better working conditions and wage increases for laborers. Higher standards and premiums work toward protecting farmers’ human rights while providing a working environment without discriminatory practices. This business model is a more sustainable and ethical method for cocoa farming in Latin America.
Investing in Cocoa Farms in Brazil
Much of Brazil’s cocoa production comes from small farms that are unable to invest in agricultural development or use modern equipment. It is common for farmers to live in poverty due to low income. As a result, cocoa farmers lack the resources to grow their farms and escape poverty. Reuters reported that 80% of Brazil’s cocoa production comes from small-scale farmers with low income and efficiency.
With the creation of the Kawa fund, implemented by several Brazilian nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), small cocoa farmers will be able to grow their farms with assistance from loans. Founders of the fund aim to raise $176 million by 2030. The Kawa fund’s initiatives provide farmers with access to fertilizer and farming equipment to scale their operations. Now that the Ivory Coast and Ghana are facing significant challenges with their cocoa supply, Latin America has gained business from clients searching for new cocoa suppliers. Reuters expands on the timing of the fund getting set in motion:
“The fund’s launch comes at a critical time for the industry, as top producers Ivory Coast and Ghana have suffered crop losses due to adverse weather, bean disease, smuggling and reduced plantations in favor of illegal gold mining, sending cocoa prices upward.”
The Future of Cocoa Farmers
Despite challenges in the industry, recent innovations in cocoa farming are promoting poverty reduction efforts in developing countries in Latin America. Indeed, Colombia has a major role in the successful operation of supply chains and is currently one of the top producers of cocoa globally. Furthermore, significant progress for farmers has been achieved with the implementation of sustainable farming methods and financial investments, resulting in increased wages for cocoa farmers in Latin America.
– Lala McCullough
Photo: Pixabay
Turning Trash into Treasure: The 3D-Printed Houses in Mexico
Affordable 3D-Printed Houses in Mexico
ICON, partnering with the nonprofit New Story and Mexican social enterprise ÉCHALE, built 50 3D-printed homes in Nacajuca, Tabasco. These homes cost approximately $10,000 each for 500 square feet of living space. Traditional construction in Mexico costs between $50 and $100 per square foot for economic to medium-range homes, which would mean $25,000 to $50,000 for a 500-square-foot home.
This represents savings of 50% to 80% compared to traditional Mexican construction methods. Families pay just 400 Mexican pesos monthly—approximately $20—on zero-interest mortgages over seven years. This totals only $1,680 over the entire mortgage period. For the 50 families selected, who earn average monthly incomes of just $76.50, these payments represent about 26% of household income yet provide permanent, high-quality housing far superior to their previous conditions.
Pedro García Hernández, a 48-year-old carpenter earning 2,500 pesos monthly ($125), previously lived in a home with dirt floors where dust from his work coated everything. His daughter Yareli, studying to become a nurse, will inherit the home without financial burden.
Understanding Mexico’s Housing Emergency
Mexico faces a severe housing crisis with a qualitative housing deficit of more than 14 million homes. More than half of the population lives below the poverty line, limiting the ability of families to meet housing needs. Around one dwelling out of four has poor construction material for roofs, walls or floors, is overcrowded or lacks basic facilities. Approximately 17.8% of the population is considered vulnerable due to a lack of access to basic housing services, including water, drainage and electricity.
Regional disparities reveal stark inequalities. In 2022, Guerrero had the highest share of residents considered vulnerable due to inadequate housing, with more than 26% living in poor conditions or without enough space. In 2024, 48.6% of Chiapas residents lacked access to at least one basic service in their homes, compared with 47.4% in Guerrero and 46.7% in Oaxaca. Northern industrial centers like Nuevo León had the lowest rate at 3.2%.
The National Housing Commission (CONAVI) projects the deficit will reach 7.2 million to 10.5 million homes by 2050, requiring 700,000 new homes annually to meet demand. Current formal production delivers only 300,000 homes yearly, creating a widening gap. In response, President Claudia Sheinbaum announced a National Housing Program in October 2024 targeting 1 million new homes through 2030, backed by 600 billion pesos ($32.4 billion) in federal spending.
Revolutionary Construction Speed and Strength
The Vulcan II printer completes wall printing in 24 hours of active print time, with local workers adding roofs, windows, doors, plumbing and electrical systems. Total construction takes one to two weeks versus six to 12 months for traditional methods. The first two homes were unveiled in December 2019, and by November 2021, 65 families had moved in.
Each home measures approximately 500 square feet and features two bedrooms, a kitchen and a bathroom, plus indoor plumbing—something many residents did not previously have. Each 3D-printed home has curved walls and lattices to improve airflow and a reinforced foundation to help withstand earthquakes. Nacajuca was hit with a magnitude 7.4 earthquake after the houses were built, and the homes remained standing without damage.
The homes were designed to withstand seismic activity and prevent flooding. Each home can withstand hurricanes and is approved for seismic activity—essential for Tabasco, where low-income residents often live in shacks that flood during the rainy season. The materials are more rugged than standard construction in the area and better able to withstand disasters. The concrete construction provides insulation that keeps homes cooler indoors, helping lower utility costs.
Community Investment and Future Growth
The local Tabasco government donated land for the project and committed to providing the required infrastructure, including electricity and roads. The project also includes plans for roads, a school, a soccer field, a market and a library. The homes were granted to families living in extreme poverty and unsafe shelter. Property titles were signed to women in households to help protect family stability. The partnership selected families by surveying more than 500 households with local officials, prioritizing Indigenous populations historically left out of government programs.
Looking Ahead
The 3D-printed houses in Tabasco, Mexico, demonstrate that cutting-edge technology can serve those most in need. The partnership with ICON and the use of 3D-printing technology allows New Story to reach more families faster while improving quality and design flexibility. The hope is that this catalytic research and development project will influence the sector as a whole, offering a scalable solution to provide families with safe, affordable and dignified housing.
– Jawad Noori
Photo: Unsplash
AI in Latin America’s Agriculture
To tackle these challenges, farmers and innovators across Latin America are turning to Artificial Intelligence (AI). New tools, ranging from predictive analytics and precision irrigation to image recognition and decision-support apps, are helping producers forecast their harvests, optimize resource use and increase yields. By leveraging data on climate, soil and crops, AI in Latin America’s agriculture offers a promising path to grow more food with fewer resources in the face of the changing climate.
Data-Driven Farming in Brazil Improves Yields
In Brazil, agri-tech startup Agrosmart is pioneering the use of AI to make farming more predictable and climate-smart. Launched in 2014, Agrosmart now supports more than 100,000 farmers across Latin America with real-time data on weather and soil conditions. The platform integrates on-farm sensors, satellite imagery and machine learning to guide decisions at every step of cultivation, from optimal seed planting dates to targeted irrigation and fertilizer use.
According to Agrosmart’s founders, this data-driven approach can reduce water usage by up to 60% and energy costs by 20%, while helping farmers maintain healthy yields. By adopting such AI analytics, growers are better able to anticipate weather patterns and crop needs, rather than relying on traditional almanacs or guesswork.
Agrosmart’s success reflects a wider digital revolution on Latin America’s farms. AI-powered decision tools are increasingly common, from drones that monitor crop health to smart cameras that identify weeds for precision herbicide spraying. These technologies boost productivity by detecting issues early and optimizing field management.
For example, Puerto Rico-based startup TerraFirma uses AI analysis of satellite images to forecast environmental risks like upcoming storms, crop diseases or soil erosion. By predicting such threats in advance, farmers can take preventive steps to protect their harvests. Overall, AI analytics are enabling Latin American producers to boost yields and reduce losses through more informed, proactive farm management.
“With the world’s population expected to reach nearly 10 billion by 2050, technologies like AI are humanity’s best hope for sustainable food production,” notes Agrosmart CEO Mariana Vasconcelos.
Precision Irrigation From Argentina to Chile
Water is another critical focus for AI in agriculture. Farms consume about 70% of global freshwater and up to 90% in developing countries. In drought-prone parts of Latin America, conserving water while keeping crops productive is a top priority.
Argentine startup Kilimo has risen to this challenge with an AI-powered irrigation management platform. Kilimo’s system analyzes data from satellites, weather forecasts and soil sensors to tell farmers when and how much to irrigate for optimal crop growth. By using machine learning to predict each crop’s water needs, the platform acts like a “smart irrigation advisor,” sending recommendations via an app or SMS even to remote fields.
This allows farmers to give crops enough water for top yields without waste. In practice, farmers using Kilimo have reduced their water consumption by up to 20% while maintaining (or even boosting) their yields. Over the past two years, Kilimo’s tool has helped save an estimated 72 billion liters of water (about 19 billion gallons) across several countries. The company now operates in seven Latin American nations, including Argentina, Mexico and Chile, reaching more than 2,000 farmers with its water-saving AI recommendations.
The impact of precision irrigation is best demonstrated in central Chile. In the Biobío region, an area facing seasonal water stress, farmers adopted smart irrigation systems equipped with IoT soil-moisture sensors. According to Chile’s Ministry of Agriculture, these data-driven systems precisely determine when and how much to water each crop, avoiding over-irrigation.
The results have been striking: farms using smart irrigation in Biobío cut water usage by up to 30%, yet saw crop yields increase by as much as 20% thanks to more efficient water delivery. This finding, echoed by the Inter-American Development Bank, shows that better water management directly translates into higher productivity. In addition, pumping less water saves energy and costs, a win-win for farmers’ finances and the environment.
Precision irrigation guided by AI is thus helping Latin American growers produce more food with less water. This innovation bolsters food security in increasingly dry growing conditions.
AI in Latin America’s Agriculture
Beyond climate and water management, AI-driven tools are improving many aspects of crop monitoring and harvest planning. In Chile, researchers at the University of Bío-Bío have developed an AI system using drones and image recognition to assist blueberry farmers. Drones periodically fly over the blueberry fields, capturing multispectral images of the plants at each growth stage.
An AI model analyzes these images and delivers real-time data via a mobile app, showing farmers the ripeness of their fruit across the field. This allows growers to pinpoint the optimal harvest time, ensuring berries are picked at peak maturity for quality and yield. The same system can automatically detect early signs of problems, alerting farmers to pest infestations or frost damage on the crop before those threats spread.
By acting as a constant set of “eyes” on the field, such AI vision technology helps farmers make faster, better-informed decisions that protect yields and reduce post-harvest losses. Similarly, other Latin American producers are using smartphone apps and sensors as digital field assistants. These range from apps that identify crop diseases from a photo to automated warning systems that activate when weather conditions favor a potential pest outbreak.
The Broader Impact
Each of these tools adds a layer of resilience for small farmers, who can respond to challenges in real time rather than suffer surprise crop failures. Crucially, these innovations contribute to a more secure food supply. Higher yields and efficient practices mean more stable production of staples like grains, fruits and vegetables.
Smart farming also promotes sustainability by minimizing inputs like water, fertilizers and chemicals, which helps preserve the natural resources that agriculture depends on. Development experts point out that embracing technology and climate-smart innovation is key to safeguarding Latin America’s agricultural future. A 2025 Inter-American Development Bank report highlighted digital agriculture as a tool to “improve yields and efficiency, protect natural capital and unlock the potential for a competitive, resilient development” in the region.
Governments and NGOs are increasingly partnering with tech firms to expand these solutions. These efforts range from national AI agriculture strategies to pilot programs that bring low-cost farm sensors to rural communities. With supportive policies and training, even more farmers can adopt AI-based services to enhance their productivity.
Final Remarks
The rise of AI in Latin America’s agriculture offers hopeful evidence that the region can meet its food security challenges through innovation. From Brazil’s big data platforms to Argentina’s water-saving apps and Chile’s smart irrigation networks, each success story represents a step toward a more predictable and plentiful harvest. Of course, scaling up these technologies to benefit smallholder farmers across diverse geographies remains a task ahead.
Nonetheless, as Latin America stands on the brink of this agricultural tech revolution, experts are optimistic. By carefully and inclusively implementing AI solutions, the region can cultivate a more sustainable and food-secure future. In the face of climate uncertainty, AI in Latin America’s agriculture is empowering farmers to not only predict their harvests but also to improve them, season after season.
– Elena Cárdenas
Photo: Flickr
Gender Wage Gap in Montenegro
A 2021 report from the International Labor Organization (ILO) indicates a 21.6% difference between female and male average earnings. Prime-age workers, highly skilled workers and foreign employees experience the most significant gap. Differences in the wage gap are not due to lack of qualifications or experience, but structural inequalities that shape the outcomes of women’s earnings.
Sectoral Segregation Reinforces Inequality
One of the leading factors of the gender wage gap in Montenegro is occupational segregation, as most women work in lower-paying sectors. Men dominate higher-paid fields, including construction, technology and energy, while women are concentrated in fields including retail, education and health care. Many women are on fixed-term contracts, facing larger wage penalties and limiting long-term earning potential. These disparities increase women’s vulnerability to poverty.
Female workers in Montenegro often acquire higher levels of education compared to men. However, these improved qualifications are not yet reflected in their pay. According to the LIO, highly educated women continue to earn less than similarly educated men. This suggests that gendered stereotypes, limited access to leadership roles and hiring patterns continue to hold back guaranteed equal pay and reinforce the gender wage gap in Montenegro.
Women Face Higher Poverty Risk Amid Unequal Earnings
Montenegro’s Gender Equality Index score for 2023 was 59.3, placing the nation below the European Union average by more than nine points. According to the Statistical Office of Montenegro (MONSTAT), monetary and economic resources remain the least equal category. Scarce access to economic opportunities alongside lower earnings positions Montenegrin women at a higher risk of poverty than men, especially single mothers and rural women.
Reforms Aim To Reduce the Wage Gap
The Montenegrin government has introduced several legal and policy reforms to strengthen equal-pay protections and expand economic opportunities for women. Reforms include improving labor-law enforcement, expanding digital-skills training and supporting female entrepreneurship. The European Union and international partners are supporting these programs. According to the UNDP, these initiatives increased women’s participation in training programs supporting more than 500 women-led businesses between 2020 and 2023. Strengthening these reforms is vital to closing the gender wage gap in Montenegro.
Ending the gender wage gap in Montenegro will require a sustained investment in childcare, stronger enforcement of equal-pay law and expanded opportunities for women in high-growth industries. With consistent support from national institutions, the European Union and local organizations, Montenegro can reduce poverty rates and build a more equitable and resilient economy for all.
– Hana Abulkheir
Photo: Unsplash
Renewable Energy in Slovakia Is Powering a Sustainable Future
A Growing Commitment to Sustainability
Slovakia’s National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) requires renewable energy to supply at least 23% of gross final energy consumption by 2030. The plan aligns with the EU Green Deal while supporting job creation through green initiatives. EU financing and the Recovery and Resilience Plan have already funded projects that focus on sustainability, local employment and regional development, helping Slovakians gain stable work in growing clean-energy fields.
Harnessing the Sun
Solar energy is one of the most rapidly expanding forms of renewable energy in Slovakia. New photovoltaic farms across rural areas supply affordable electricity and reduce carbon emissions. The government proposed incentive programs that help households and businesses install rooftop panels, lowering utility costs for low-income families. These programs directly address energy poverty, which still affects about 6% of Slovak households due to aging infrastructure and high winter heating costs. By expanding solar access, families spend less of their income on energy and gain energy independence.
Hydropower: Slovakia’s Renewable Backbone
Hydropower remains Slovakia’s most consistent renewable source. The Danube River and its tributaries host hydroelectric plants that generate a large portion of the country’s clean energy. Ongoing modernization projects improve efficiency while protecting fish migration and water ecosystems. By upgrading its hydro systems, Slovakia demonstrates that environmental progress can build on tradition rather than replace it.
Wind and Community Energy Projects
Although wind energy is not yet a large part of Slovakia’s energy mix, many small-scale renewable energy in Slovakia projects are being developed. Supported by EU investments, western regions have installed small turbines where wind conditions are favorable. Local cooperatives let citizens invest collectively, meaning profits from green power stay within communities and support local growth. These initiatives empower residents and increase awareness of the environmental and economic value of clean energy.
Job Creation
Renewable energy in Slovakia is an economic win as much as an ecological one. The renewable sector has created more than 10,000 jobs in production, implementation and maintenance, which is necessary for a country that had a 6% unemployment rate in 2023. Furthermore, the IEA indicates that renewables create substantial private investments which stimulate regional economies and are, ultimately, cost-cutting. Thus, for households that experienced energy poverty and employment deficits during the crisis, the clean-energy sector serves as a stable employer and provider of safety.
Renewable energy in Slovakia is not just an ecological success, but an economic one, too. The International Energy Agency (IEA) observes that thousands of jobs are created because of the renewable energy sector in Slovakia. Furthermore, the more practical and efficient technological applications become, the more private investments it will receive and technological sustainability in the field becomes more realistic. These new energy applications will be economically sustainable for the long-term future for Slovakia.
– Sudhansh Reddy Pakala
Photo: Unsplash
Ghana’s Sustainable Fashion Movement
Background
Detrimental environmental and economic consequences arise from fast-fashion waste in Ghana; piles of unsellable materials overwhelm landfills, clog waterways and spill into neighboring communities, while toxic chemicals from synthetic fibres threaten to obliterate biodiversity and animal habitats. Furthermore, the 30,000 traders, tailors and entrepreneurs of Kantamanto market – long celebrated for breathing new life into the fashion industry’s cast-offs – now contend with mountains of unmarketable textile waste. This intensifies the strain on local businesses and could make people abandon their craft entirely and become second-hand sellers. This instability highlights the need for Ghana’s sustainable fashion movement.
The Or Foundation
Founded in 2022 as a community business incubator, the Or Foundation is at the forefront of Ghana’s sustainable fashion movement, striving to implement cooperative business models for these numerous upcycling businesses born from the textile crisis in Accra. Working closely within the insular divisions of Kantamanto market, the foundation transforms a seemingly hopeless situation into one of innovation and prosperity.
Liz Ricketts of the Or Foundation speaks of its aim to restore a circular economy – where products, materials and resources are kept in use for as long as possible to minimise waste and environmental harm – to liberate Accra from the severe effects of Western overproduction. Ricketts describes the foundation’s goals as including: “the development of new materials made from textile waste, debt relief for Kantamanto retailers, alternative livelihoods for young women who labour in modern-day slavery carrying bales of clothing on their heads, and scientific research to determine how we can safely clean up the waste at the bottom of the sea.”
In reclaiming their second-hand trade, the foundation’s role in Ghana’s sustainable fashion movement confronts a long history of colonial oppression and works to restore justice to those most affected. Through rallying communities together, initiating waste control services and showcasing upcycled fashion items, they do just this
Waste Management
Ghana does not “have the infrastructure to keep clothing […] out of landfill,” Lisa explained. To address this, the Or Foundation has partnered with Accra’s waste management department to organize and fund a team of volunteers who separate textile waste into sellable garments and those that require sustainable disposal.
Since 2024, these “Kanta Keepers” have successfully hauled more than 18 tons of textile waste from not just the overflowing market site, but also beaches, waterways and streets, transporting them to a sanctioned dumpsite far from the coastline, according to the Or Foundation.
Their work not only protects the health of individuals in Kantamanto, but also preserves ecosystems that are threatened by synthetic, slow-decomposing textiles. This marks an important step towards the circular economy envisioned by Ricketts and the Or Foundation.
Repurposing Garments
Of the garments diverted from landfill, many are upcycled into creative, sustainable and forward-thinking fashion projects. Ricketts underscores the economic burden of fast-fashion waste on the Kantamanto workers, noting that declining clothing quality forces “Kantamanto retailers [become] dependent on a system where they have to sell higher quantities of a cheaper product to stay out of debt,” Lisa explained. By generating alternative streams of income, the Or Foundation provides much-needed relief and strengthens Ghana’s sustainable fashion movement from within.
One example is the annual “Obroni Wau” (or “dead white man’s clothing”) festival, which spotlights upcycling and creative reuse through runway shows, pop-up stalls and musical performances, according to VOA. This celebration amplifies the work of local designers, tailors and traders who transform discarded garments into “one of a kind creations,” as Lisa describes. Tailors have even fashioned protective uniforms for Ghanaian pineapple pickers from discarded denim, shielding workers from burns and rashes in the field. These artisans become highly sought-after for their unique, custom-made pieces, ensuring that the cultural identity of Ghana’s second-hand clothing trade remains vibrant. Hence, this Or Foundation’s work in manifesting a circular economy sector is creating new jobs in repair, design, resale and small-scale manufacturing, transforming the livelihoods of those in and around Kantamanto.
In Conclusion
When talking about how to confront a problem that feels too vast to solve, Lisa explains to Good on You that “sustainability is a language… communities like Kantamanto are still fluent.” By reframing textile waste as both a valuable resource and an integral part of Ghana’s social fabric, Kantamanto promotes fairer trade systems and greater producer responsibility. Through their initiatives, Ghana’s sustainable fashion movement is guiding key legislation, policy-makers and industry advocates – illustrated by the creation of the Ghana Used Clothing Dealers Association and its commitment to achieving 100% textile-waste diversion by 2050 – towards regenerative systems that maximise the lifespan of materials.
In many ways, Ghana’s circular economy has become a pioneer of fast-fashion waste innovation. Lisa further argues that resolving the fast-fashion crisis begins with a simple directive: “all we have to do is listen”. Recognizing the perspectives and lived experiences of the workers and broader Kantamanto community is essential, as such engagement can drive real-world solutions to the fast-fashion waste crisis.
– Emily Wooster
Photo: Flickr
How Mutual Aid in Sudan Helps Women
The Many Aspects of Help
These are some of the ways mutual aid in Sudan has provided support for nearly two years to date:
Women Power Sudan’s Aid Network
The mutual aid network consists of more than 700 groups across the country. Most of the groups are built of and led by women. The volunteers receive 95% of all donated funds to act on the ground and the network is mostly self-reliant.
Main channels of communication and planning are social media, especially Facebook, where volunteers interact with each other, as well as people in need. Sudanese citizens rely heavily on the aid provided by the mutual response network for day-to-day crisis management.
Bringing Water and Hope
Mutual aid in Sudan not only provides essential support to women and children affected by the humanitarian crisis. Volunteer groups also bring hope and a sense of solidarity. As one of them, Ibrahim, explains: “The beautiful thing is that we come together and spend time doing this, which is therapeutic and purposeful. Beautiful values have emerged from this hardship and I hope they will continue afterward.”
– Patrycja Pietrzak
Photo: Unsplash
Maternal and Infant Health for the Women of Burkina Faso
Confronting Health Barriers
One of the leading causes of death in Burkina Faso is complications from preterm births — a challenge not unique to this West African nation, but one that poses a serious threat to mothers and babies alike. Several factors contribute to this problem among the women of Burkina Faso, including limited access to prenatal and general health care, young maternal age and a lack of basic information about pregnancy and its risks.
Traditional norms also play a major role in family planning. A cultural preference for large families often leads to short intervals between births, increasing the risk of health complications for the women of Burkina Faso.
Shortage of Skilled Maternal Health Professionals
Burkina Faso faces a shortage of obstetricians and midwives, leaving 63% of women without their maternal health care needs fully met. While West Africa has the highest concentration of nursing and midwifery personnel per 10,000 people on the continent, the region still ranks among the lowest in the world. Burkina Faso has 10.3 nurses and midwives per 10,000 people, compared with 82 per 10,000 in Chile, a country in South America with a similar population size.
To close this gap, several initiatives are underway to expand the pool of qualified maternal health providers. Indeed, four years ago, the Ministry of Health launched a pilot program to train midwives in basic obstetric ultrasound during prenatal consultations. The program targeted eight remote districts and proved highly successful: women no longer had to travel long distances for ultrasounds and midwives could detect and monitor high-risk pregnancies earlier. Building on this success, the Ministry of Health and the WHO plan to expand the program nationwide so that ultrasounds become a routine service for all pregnant women.
Improving Breastfeeding Rates
Currently, 51% of mothers in Burkina Faso exclusively breastfeed during the first six months of their infant’s life. The World Health Organization (WHO) has set a 2030 target of 60%. Although Burkina Faso still has progress to make, it has shown impressive gains over the past 12 years: in 2012, only 38% of infants aged 0–5 months were exclusively breastfed. This is a remarkable achievement and with continued government support and strong advocacy efforts, the country is well-positioned to reach the 60% target within the next five years.
Looking Forward
Social and economic barriers remain, but the women of Burkina Faso are taking meaningful steps toward a more informed approach to family planning and improved access to pre- and postnatal care. With support from local governments and non-governmental organizations, access to family planning services has expanded significantly across West Africa over the past decade.
The Ouagadougou Partnership – which brings together Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Togo – illustrates how regional cooperation can accelerate progress. Through this partnership, participating countries have implemented national plans to strengthen community engagement and enhance the availability and quality of reproductive health care.
Other initiatives like the WHO’s comprehensive implementation plan on maternal, infant and young child nutrition have also contributed to significant improvements in breastfeeding practices. Burkina Faso is a strong example of an African country that has not only adopted this plan but sustained its commitment over time. By prioritizing funding and expanding access to breastfeeding support programs, more than half of new mothers are now able to provide adequate nutrition for their infants.
Burkina Faso’s population is projected to grow rapidly by 2050, underscoring the need to expand access to family planning and safe maternal and infant care. Continued investment in education, community outreach and health care infrastructure will be essential. By promoting local engagement, professional development of qualified health workers and ensuring that women have access to affordable, high-quality medical consultations, the government and its partners can help build a healthier, more sustainable future for the women of Burkina Faso and their families.
– Fernanda Nilson
Photo: Flickr
Recovering From the Punjab Floods
Additionally, hundreds of thousands of Punjabis were left without electricity or clean water. Even before the floods, Indian farmers were facing increasing hardships. Many had accumulated high debts while struggling with low incomes and heavy crop losses due to the climate crisis, which has created extreme weather conditions that defy predictability and planning.
The recent flooding has worsened these challenges, leaving many farmers with nothing left. Observers on the ground have stated that for many farmers, recovering from the Punjab floods is proving extremely difficult.
The Good News
The good news is that financial assistance has been provided to help farmers rebuild their lives. By the end of September 2025, the Punjab government—led by the Aam Aadmi Party (the Common Man Party)—announced a 20,000-rupee ($230) allowance for farmers who lost their crops to the floods. In addition, relief efforts have come from all directions, including Non-Resident Indians, global Sikh charities and local volunteers.
Pritpal Singh of Hanspal Traders in Kapurthala built more than 100 boats and distributed them free of charge to support rescue operations. Buffalo and cattle have also been purchased for dairy farmers who lost their animals in the floods. The charity Khalsa Aid rescued stranded families and livestock and provided clean drinking water, ration bags and medical assistance.
Khalsa Aid also deployed specialized de-watering systems that have already dried more than 1,000 acres of waterlogged land. The organization’s team is also working directly with farmers in the Abohar area to help them restore their fields and resume cultivation. This support has become a lifeline for many whose livelihoods were severely threatened by the floods.
Recovering From the Punjab Floods
There is a prolonged economic challenge ahead for farmers, as they require considerable investment to recover from the floods. Climate instability is hitting developing countries the hardest, with some of the most financially vulnerable people in the world being affected. Punjabi farmers have already been living in precarious conditions and extreme weather conditions have exacerbated their problems.
However, the relief efforts for the Punjab floods have demonstrated that the Asian diaspora can collaborate with local volunteers in India to assist farmers and communities in rebuilding their lives. The response has been a large, well-coordinated effort involving multiple countries, diverse groups and both governmental and nongovernmental bodies. Agriculture is widely recognized as crucial to Punjab and it is clear that farmers operate with limited resources.
This reality has driven everyone involved in the relief work to sustain their efforts and support long-term recovery.
– Suneel Mehmi
Photo: Flickr
GFDRR: Disaster Preparedness in the Caribbean
Hurricane Melissa
On October 28, Hurricane Melissa made its first landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 storm. Wind speeds reached 185 mph, significantly affecting parishes such as St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland. Buildings were destroyed, including schools, homes, major airports and hospitals.
Subsequently, the storm downgraded to a Category 3 storm as it made landfall in Cuba several days later. Preparation in such a short amount of time proved fruitless, as the hurricane caused millions of dollars in damage and killed more than 90 people across the countries impacted. In the aftermath of the storm, more than 150 communities remain without access to stable shelters and electricity.
The outpouring of heartwarming words and international support in the Caribbean has been influential. Many countries, such as the United States and Canada, have donated millions of dollars to support rebuilding efforts and help life return to normal. Organizations like the World Central Kitchen and Airlink have provided emergency services and meals to communities in dire need. The effort to rebuild has been commendable, but these services often come after the storm has caused damage, rather than providing preventive help to countries.
CARICOM
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) comprises 15 states in total. This body facilitates the best economic development for the participating countries and establishes a single market and economy. The body also aids the countries against disasters and events that affect their islands.
Organizations like the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) collaborate with CARICOM to assist communities when needed. Aid has been provided to Jamaica and Haiti in the aftermath of the storm. At the same time, Cuba has received assistance from nearby countries.
The ambassadors of CARICOM have been providing information on events across the impacted states. On the YouTube channel, Comissiong Chambers, Ambassador David Comissiong describes the unique experiences of the countries within CARICOM following the hurricane. When speaking about how much it can take for initial relief efforts and reinforcements for each island, Commissiong stated, “150 million and 90 million, that is just to kickstart the relief effort when you’re talking about reconstruction for Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti. We are actually talking billions of dollars. So we have a long, long road ahead of us and all of us in the Caribbean have to contribute to that.”
These respective amounts are not enough to rebuild the number of structures destroyed across the islands. In addition, relief efforts will not provide long-term, sustainable solutions to benefit Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba in the event of future disasters. Monetary aid and loans will be necessary after this disaster if international support in the Caribbean is not also dedicated to establishing long-standing services and practices for improved support.
Long-Term Prevention
Different measures can be implemented across these islands, but they depend largely on the level of funding provided to governments.
Infrastructure can be rebuilt or reinforced to withstand Category 5 storms and other natural disasters. More durable materials should replace zinc roofing, which is often blown away by high-speed winds. Shelters should not be established only in the immediate lead-up to major events. However, they should be maintained as safe havens year-round.
Power lines and water reservoirs should be protected in ways that prevent power loss and contamination of water supplies for communities. For example, power lines can be buried underground if needed. Natural defenses, such as forests and mangroves, should be protected to prevent landslides and flooding. Lastly, financial independence should be a main priority for future events.
This can be seen in Jamaica’s catastrophe bond, established with the World Bank to release $150 million in the aftermath of a storm. Governments can establish transparency and set up support centers to aid citizens affected both physically and mentally. Only through the prioritization of international support in the Caribbean can these measures be implemented.
GFDRR
The Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) helps developing and middle-income countries that face natural hazards and climate-related challenges. GFDRR also provides financial assistance for technical support and solutions that these countries need. It has helped raise at least $34 billion in funds for their cause.
The organization has multiple partnerships with countries, including Australia and the United States, as well as the World Bank Group. Its actions focus on meeting specific targets for disaster relief and preparedness. In 2024, GFDRR provided more than $90 million in grants, including to Latin America and the Caribbean.
The Way Forward
Hurricane Melissa was not the first or the last hurricane to hit the Caribbean. The aftermath has shown the countries’ resilience and the kindness of people across the islands, even those who were not heavily affected. Governments and international organizations like GFDRR have donated millions of dollars for prevention, repair and reconstruction efforts.
Investing in the infrastructure that can withstand major hurricanes and provide safe havens that are not only temporarily available before and after disasters, but also long-term, may be key. Preventive measures, including reinforcing hospitals, schools and public buildings, will all assist with disaster preparedness in the Caribbean.
– Nickaylia Anderson
Photo: Flickr