Archive for category: Agriculture

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Solar Irrigation in Mexico Helps Maya Women Build Resilience

Farmers applying fertilizer on crops; solar irrigation in Mexico supports sustainable agriculture.
For Maya women in the Yucatán Peninsula, solar irrigation in Mexico may help protect agricultural livelihoods from unpredictable rainfall and drought. The Commission for Environmental Cooperation documents an initiative led by the Túumben K’óoben cooperative that combines solar technology, water access and technical training to help rural communities respond to climate pressures.

These opportunities matter in a country where 65.2% of Mexico’s Indigenous population lived in poverty in 2022, according to Mexico’s National Council for the Evaluation of Social Development Policy (CONEVAL). This national figure provides context; it does not measure poverty among project participants.

Why Climate Change Makes Poverty Harder to Escape

Research with Maya farming communities has found that changing rainfall patterns can reduce milpa yields, limit cultivated areas and threaten crop diversity, increasing food insecurity. For households relying on agriculture, poor harvests can mean less food and lower earnings. Limited savings and credit can make it harder to adapt or recover from climate shocks.

Research with Maya farming communities has found that changing rainfall patterns can reduce milpa yields, limit cultivated areas and threaten crop diversity, increasing food insecurity. For households relying on agriculture, poor harvests can mean less food and lower earnings. Limited savings and credit can make it harder to adapt or recover from climate shocks.

Solar irrigation may help by making water available when rainfall is unreliable. Its benefits depend on access to suitable equipment, financing and sustainable water sources.

Solar Irrigation Cuts Costs and Creates Income Opportunities

Solar panels power pumps that draw water from wells or other sources. By reducing reliance on gasoline-powered pumps, solar irrigation can lower fuel costs and make watering crops more affordable.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports that irrigated land accounts for 48% of global crop value despite representing 23% of cropland. Average yields on irrigated land are 76% higher than on rainfed land.

The CEC reports that Túumben K’óoben held four solar-energy workshops that trained at least 80 women and implemented a pilot to market 50 solar-powered lighting systems and four solar-powered irrigation pumping systems. The initiative aimed to involve about 150 women, 100 men and 50 young people. Direct beneficiaries included Sotuta, Yucatán, and communities in Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Quintana Roo.

A 2026 study in Sci examined an autonomous photovoltaic pumping system for an isolated agricultural community in Mexico’s Mixteca Poblana region. Its financial model estimated annual gross revenue of about 94,168 Mexican pesos from one hectare of forage maize across two growing cycles. It estimated annual production costs of about 21,548 pesos and an initial investment of about 111,275 pesos, including pumping equipment and first-year operating costs. The model projected break-even in the second year.

A separate solar-pumping project supported by Sostenibilidad Global AC in Maní, Yucatán, also aims to reduce energy costs for Maya farming households. These examples show how solar technology could support production, although outcomes depend on local conditions, crops and market access.

How Technical Skills Help Women Lead Climate Adaptation

The CEC initiative includes workshops to strengthen women’s solar-technology knowledge and system-management skills. The Honnold Foundation lists solar education and installation training for 80 Maya women, alongside access to solar irrigation and lighting for 30 households and 18 additional farmland plots, among the partnership’s reported impacts. These figures should not be added to the CEC totals; the sources do not establish that the participant groups are distinct.

Research in Gender, Place & Culture highlights how Maya women’s agricultural knowledge, food cultivation and home gardens help sustain families and preserve traditional practices. It provides context on women’s livelihoods, not measured outcomes from solar irrigation.

Why Solar Irrigation Needs Sustainable Water Management

Solar irrigation cannot eliminate drought or guarantee harvests. The World Bank identifies benefits and risks: solar pumps can reduce conventional energy use and operating costs, but cheaper pumping may encourage greater water extraction.

A 2025 Frontiers in Water study, based on surveys with 88 farmers and interviews with 12 experts in Yemen’s Sana’a Basin, also warned that solar irrigation could pressure vulnerable groundwater resources. Although the study concerns Yemen, it illustrates the need to pair renewable energy with water governance. In Yucatán, where groundwater is a major source, monitoring and sustainable use are essential.

Community Ownership Connects Climate Resilience and Poverty Reduction

Climate pressures can threaten harvests and earnings, while reliable irrigation may help sustain cultivation and reduce operating costs. The CEC initiative documents local investment in solar systems and women’s training, while broader agricultural evidence supports the importance of water access. The available sources do not establish that these initiatives have increased incomes or reduced poverty among Maya women in Yucatán.

Long-term benefits depend on affordable equipment, training, maintenance and responsible water management. Solar irrigation is not a standalone solution to poverty, but it may help communities manage climate-related livelihood insecurity when systems are locally managed and suited to available water resources.

– Zeba Vagh

Zeba is based in Melbourne,Victoria, Australia and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Poverty in Eritrea: Rural Livelihoods and Essential Services

Farmer plowing field with oxen, illustrating rural poverty in Eritrea.
Poverty in Eritrea reflects connected challenges, including uncertain harvests and limited opportunities to earn a reliable income. Rural households face particular risks because many depend on agriculture. International organizations and government ministries have responded with programs that support farming, improve water supplies and expand nutrition services.

Understanding the Poverty Data

The World Bank’s country overview cites a 70% poverty rate from a 1996–97 household survey. That historical figure does not describe poverty today. Limited recent household data prevent a reliable assessment of the current national rate, and program beneficiary totals cannot establish how much it has changed.

Why Rural Livelihoods Matter

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) reports that farming, livestock herding and fishing support the livelihoods of more than 75% of Eritrea’s population. It also estimates that rural communities account for about 80% of people experiencing poverty.

Many farmers depend on rainfall rather than reliable irrigation. Irregular rain, limited soil fertility and difficulties obtaining agricultural supplies constrain production. Poor harvests threaten both the food families grow for themselves and the income they earn from selling crops.

IFAD addresses these barriers through support for irrigation, veterinary services and farming methods that conserve soil and water. Its strategy also promotes higher-value crops and helps women and young people develop skills in fishing, processing and marketing. These investments aim to strengthen earnings while helping rural communities withstand environmental shocks.

Barriers to Economic Opportunity

Restrictions on private businesses and difficulties accessing development finance complicate Eritrea’s economic prospects. The World Bank also reports that overdue repayments have halted its lending activities in the country, limiting an important source of development funding.

Political conditions also affect working lives. Human Rights Watch’s 2025 report describes the government’s continued use of national service without a fixed end date. These obligations can restrict people’s ability to choose employment and establish independent livelihoods.

Treating and Preventing Malnutrition

UNICEF provides Eritrea’s Ministry of Health with funding and technical assistance for nutrition services. In 2024, these services admitted 18,340 children younger than five for severe acute malnutrition treatment and another 22,232 for moderate acute malnutrition treatment. These figures count admissions, not recoveries.

Prevention accompanied treatment. UNICEF-supported services counseled 143,604 mothers and caregivers of children younger than two on feeding practices. Combining clinical care with practical guidance helps address immediate nutritional needs while supporting children’s diets at home.

More recent results demonstrate progress in treatment. The U.N.’s 2025 Eritrea report records more than 38,000 recoveries among children who required therapeutic nutrition care, with recovery rates meeting international standards. National institutions delivered these services with U.N. support.

Expanding Reliable Water Services

Government-led efforts with U.N. support helped approximately 250,000 people access more reliable water systems using solar power in 2025. The investment addressed a basic household need through infrastructure that combines water provision with renewable energy.

This work builds on earlier cooperation. In 2024, UNICEF supported Eritrea’s Ministry of Land, Water and Environment in improving water access for 35,637 people through supplies designed to withstand climate pressures.

Protecting Pastoralist Households

Livestock assistance tackles another source of rural vulnerability. During 2025, vaccination campaigns and emergency animal feed support helped around 90,000 pastoralist households protect their livelihoods. The programs sought to safeguard animals that families depend on for food and earnings.

Protecting livestock complements efforts to improve crop production. Together, animal health services, emergency feed and agricultural investment address the resources rural families need to maintain their livelihoods through difficult conditions.

Helping Girls Continue Their Education

UNICEF and Eritrea’s Ministry of Education provided cash incentives to 2,250 middle school girls from nomadic and semi-nomadic communities in 2024. The initiative aimed to help girls progress to secondary education and reached its planned beneficiary total. That result measures participation in the incentive program rather than school completion.

Sustaining Progress

Nutrition treatment, water infrastructure and livestock assistance show how development partnerships can address immediate needs while protecting rural livelihoods. However, the U.N.’s 2025 report identifies insufficient financing and regional instability as continuing challenges.

A lasting response to poverty in Eritrea requires sustained investment in essential services alongside opportunities to earn dependable incomes. Existing programs provide practical foundations: healthier children, more reliable water supplies and support for the livestock that sustain rural households. Maintaining and extending that work remains central to improving families’ economic security.

– Aliza Iqbal

Aliza is based in Birmingham, UK and focuses on Good News, Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Everything You Need to Know About Poverty in Zambia

Women drawing water from a well in rural Zambia.
Poverty in Zambia remains a serious challenge, affecting both rural and urban communities across the country. Although Zambia has long struggled with high levels of poverty, initiatives aimed at reducing poverty are offering a basis of hope for the future.

An Overview of Poverty in Zambia

Poverty remains one of the most significant challenges facing Zambia. In 2025, an estimated 70.4% of Zambia’s population lived below the international poverty line of $3 per person per day, measured in 2021 purchasing-power terms. For many, poverty is not simply a lack of income, but also the inability to access basic necessities such as clean water, adequate hygiene, quality education, health care and sustainable livelihoods. The scale of deprivation is evident by 63% of households lacking basic sanitation and 82% lacking basic hygiene facilities. The divide between rural and urban poverty is especially stark, with rural areas experiencing significantly higher poverty rates. Despite the severity of poverty in both rural and urban areas, grassroots efforts and measures that Zambia’s 2026 national budget sets out offer grounds for cautious optimism.

Rural Poverty in Zambia

In 2022, 78.8% of Zambia’s rural population lived below the national poverty line. Rural poverty persists as many small-scale farmers struggle to afford agricultural supplies and remain exposed to low-productivity agriculture and recurrent exposure to climate shocks. For example, the drought in 2024 that began as a climate event, destroying maize crops across 982,765 hectares, quickly escalated into a humanitarian crisis, revealing how deeply vulnerable Zambia’s rural communities are. With more than 80% of the rural population depending on rainfall rather than irrigation for their crops, the drought had far-reaching effects. As groundwater availability decreased, food shortages and rising food prices worsened, which heightened the risk of malnutrition and waterborne diseases. Rural communities in Zambia are particularly vulnerable to factors that deepen poverty, including poor harvests, climate disasters, limited access to basic services and fewer economic opportunities.

Urban Poverty in Zambia

Poverty in Zambia is not just a rural phenomenon. Although poverty rates are higher in rural areas, people living in towns also face hardship, with the national-poverty-line rate in urban communities rising to 31.9% in 2022. Many urban households rely on informal work or insecure employment, in conjunction with the cost of urban living, which makes it extremely difficult to achieve financial stability. In cities such as Lusaka, people face food insecurity, poor housing quality and difficulties accessing sufficient sanitation, health care and education. These problems reinforce each other, making poverty in urban areas also difficult to escape.

Bread and Water for Africa

Grassroots organizations play an important role in poverty reduction by advocating for sustainable, community-led development to help build a healthier future. In 2023, Bread and Water for Africa partnered with Village Water Zambia to fund nine boreholes in the Kalabo district that delivered clean and safe drinking water. This success triggered other villages to seek similar support. So in spring 2025, the partnership funded a further 11 boreholes across rural villages, reaching 5,640 people, including 1,521 children.

Bread and Water for Africa reports that the boreholes improved health, saved time spent collecting water, helped children attend school and allowed families to focus on their livelihoods and earning an income. While these projects cannot eradicate poverty or instantly solve Zambia’s water hygiene problems, they demonstrate how grassroots organizations can make gradual and lasting progress in the right direction, offering hope that sustained action can help lay the foundations for a brighter future.

Zambia’s National Budget

Alongside grassroots initiatives, the Zambian government has also introduced policies aimed at tackling poverty. Zambia’s 2026 national budget signals a push for stability and growth, providing the opportunity to protect economic stability, accelerate recovery from the drought and ensure social gains reach every household. The Social Cash Transfer program plans to extend regular financial assistance to 1.5 million households, helping families meet their basic needs and reduce extreme poverty.

The Zambian government is taking a greater degree of national ownership and contributing 88% of its funding. However, the budget analysis reports a 3% decline in overall social-protection allocations. The Permanent Secretary of Budget and Economic Affairs stated that the budget is the tool to deliver “the kind of development that they want to see in terms of improvements to their livelihoods.” However, the challenge is turning these commitments into lasting improvements. While these measures represent a positive step toward poverty reduction, their ultimate success depends on effective implementation, sufficient resources and ensuring that support reaches the most vulnerable households.

Hope for the Future

Government commitments and grassroots organizations present progress in both rural and urban communities. Although financial support alone cannot address the deeper causes of poverty, consistent investment together with community-led efforts create a promising foundation, represent a step in the right direction and offer hope for a future with less poverty and greater opportunity for all.

– Lauren Dickson

Lauren is based in Beverley, East Yorkshire, England and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Haiti’s Agriculture Revitalization

Haiti’s Agriculture Revitalization
Haiti is considered the poorest country in Latin America and the Caribbean, with 27% of rural farmers living in extreme poverty at project preparation. Agriculture, their main source of income, severely lacks investment, leading to food insecurity. Combined with natural disasters, the country is in a state of economic peril. However, with international aid, local projects are supporting Haiti’s agriculture revitalization.

Natural Disasters

Michel Soy of the Dory Smallholder’s Association explained how the association’s irrigation system was severely damaged by the back-to-back natural disasters of Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and the 2021 earthquake. With World Bank project support, their dam was repaired. This repair led to the return of farming.

Farmers Against Poverty

Haiti Foundation Against Poverty (HFAP) is fighting to reduce food shortages by resurrecting agriculture, and it has been doing so since 2017. By focusing on farms and gardens in Haiti’s southern peninsula, which Hurricane Matthew and other natural disasters destroyed, crops are returning to these supported farms, and these crops are growing strong.

Farming

Having land rich in nutrients, Haiti can grow many different grains, fruits, vegetables, and coffee. Produce from these farms is being sold in local markets. HFAP is helping with preparing contracts with grocery stores and guest houses, and they plan to have melons, peppers, tomatoes and more sold inside stores in a nearby city, Jeremie.

HFAP reports that neighboring villages are interested in its farming program, as people want to be part of the sweet, delicious return of agriculture. HFAP has continued to aid them with equipment, and they even helped replant more than 400,000 coffee trees in the mountains of Jeremie.

HFAP also directs buyers to Avanti Coffee Company for coffee from its program.

Investment in Agriculture

While Haiti has land to grow the crops, the farmers lack the support to be self-sustainable. Haitian farmers and rural leaders have urged the government and international donors to help mold a $47.9 million agricultural investment. An investment in Haitian farmers could support their incomes, reduce food insecurity and contribute to Haiti’s agriculture revitalization. The Sept. 15, 2026, report described implementation as expected in 2027, with farmers seeking a role in shaping it.

On Aug. 29, 2026, more than 70 agricultural and community organizations made this demand at the seventh annual general assembly in Trou-du-Nord for the Organization of Peoples Working for the Development of Haiti (OPODHA). Farmers sought a role in designing, implementing and monitoring the HA-J0015 agricultural program for the North and Northeast regions.

The Inter-American Development Bank subsequently approved $38.7 million for HA-J0015 on Sept. 25, 2026. Its project page now lists the status as implementation. This is the IDB financing amount, distinct from the $47.9 million combined program described in the Sept. 15 report.

Florcie Larèche Fervil, director of OPODHA, stated, “Organizations cannot replace the state, but they are tools to support it. That is why we encourage involvement.”

Accomplishments in Farming

The World Bank reported these results from its supported project:

  • About 4,267 farmers adopted improved agricultural technology, exceeding their targeted goal by 42%.
  • Four sub-watersheds have participatory plans developed.
  • One hundred and twelve farmer field schools have been established across the four supported sub-watersheds, and 2,800 farmers have participated in these schools. The schools provide training and community support.
  • Twenty matching grants aided 1,511 farmers, improving access to local products in markets.
  • Fifty 18 m³ capacity water tanks were built, benefiting 250 households.
  • About 137,611 farmers received emergency relief, including 20,968 farmers receiving climate-resilient crop varieties/seeds.

These results show how farmers and supporting organizations are contributing to Haiti’s agriculture revitalization through local projects.

– Kelly Thomas

Kelly is based in Tallahassee, Florida, United States and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How the World Bank’s Financing Could Support Farmers in Congo

World Bank's Financing
In August 2026, the World Bank Group approved $60 million in financing for the poultry and aquaculture industries in the Republic of Congo, also known as Congo-Brazzaville. The Poultry and Aquaculture Development Project aims to boost the competitiveness and resilience of these value chains. The World Bank’s financing is expected to boost local food production, create jobs and strengthen climate resilience.

Why is This Financing Needed?

In Congo-Brazzaville, a major poultry supply shortfall exists. Poultry imports were worth approximately $222 million in 2024, and domestic producers compete with imports from the United States, Brazil, Turkey and Poland. According to International Aquafeed’s reporting on World Bank project documents, imported poultry meat can reach the market at under $1,000 per metric ton, while local production costs can exceed $2,000 per metric ton.

Farmers Review Africa, citing the World Bank, reports that local poultry meat production meets only 0.4% of annual domestic demand.

Aquaculture also has room to develop. FAO data recorded 207 metric tons of aquaculture production in 2017. This is a historical figure, rather than a measure of production today.

In October 2026, Africanews reported that overfishing and pollution contributed to fish shortages in the Republic of Congo. It described giant catfish costing more than 7,000 CFA francs, compared with a minimum wage of 50,000 CFA francs, putting them beyond the reach of many low-income households. The report, citing FAO, put average fish consumption at about 25 kilograms per person each year and described aquaculture as a possible way to improve access.

The World Bank’s financing is expected to help domestic producers compete with imports by addressing obstacles such as limited access to finance, inadequate inputs, weak infrastructure and insufficient technical skills.

How is the $60 Million Set to Be Distributed?

International Aquafeed reports the following planned allocations: $23 million for competitively priced maize and soybeans for feed and commercial feed processing; $3 million for quality fingerlings and day-old chicks; and $2 million for technical skills, alongside upgrades to four agricultural stations as technology and innovation centers.

Farmers Review Africa also reports $12 million for productive, climate-resilient infrastructure in eight Protected Agricultural Zones, including power, solar energy, cold chains and digital connectivity; $9 million for policy and regulation; and $5 million for finance, agricultural insurance and digital services.

The project is also expected to provide grants for feed-production investments and help small and medium-sized feed manufacturers improve business planning and financial management. These measures could improve farmers’ resilience, but insurance and infrastructure cannot eliminate business or climate risks.

What Could This Money Provide?

The World Bank expects the project to generate more and better jobs for farmers, entrepreneurs, processors, traders and service providers, with particular attention to women and young people.

This focus matters for the Republic of Congo’s young population. A U.N. population projection puts the country’s median age at 18.7 years in 2026. World Bank data, using modeled ILO estimates, put youth unemployment at 40.5% in 2025. This measures unemployed people as a share of the labor force ages 15–24, rather than all young people. Creating opportunities in agribusiness could help more young people earn an income.

Looking Ahead

The World Bank’s financing aims to support a more diversified and resilient economy through stronger local food production. If it helps farmers become more competitive and expands opportunities to earn an income, it could contribute to poverty reduction. Its impact will depend on how effectively the planned investments are delivered and sustained.

– Malachi Thompson

Malachi is based in Birmingham, West Midlands, England and focuses on Business and New Markets for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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China’s Involvement in Foreign Aid: Sierra Leone and Burkina Faso

Street scene in Sierra Leone with people and colorful buildings.
China’s involvement in foreign aid includes agricultural cooperation and skills training in Sierra Leone and Burkina Faso. These initiatives address practical challenges such as food production, access to resources and employment skills. Their documented activities provide a more specific picture of development cooperation than national economic trends alone.

What Do These Programs Do?

The China-Sierra Leone Food Project works to combat poverty and food insecurity by transferring sustainable farming techniques. In a 2019 account, the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation described Chinese experts and technicians working with national and local governments to improve irrigation and crop yields. It listed the project period as beginning in 2008. The project forms part of the wider FAO-China South-South Cooperation Programme.

The same account reported the introduction of 68 agricultural techniques, 56 crop varieties and 35 types of equipment and tools. It described an example in which rice yields rose from 0.9 to 2.1 tonnes per hectare using a Chinese hybrid variety and animal-waste fertilizer. These are project-level examples of agricultural support, not a measurement of national poverty reduction.

China Railway Seventh Group, a company rather than an aid program, also participates in vocational training. People’s Daily reported that the company partnered with Zhengzhou Railway Technician College and Freetown Polytechnic to launch the Excellence Academy in Freetown on Jan. 27, 2026. The initiative included a multimedia classroom and aimed to provide practical vocational and technical courses aligned with workforce needs.

Agricultural Cooperation in Burkina Faso

In Burkina Faso, agricultural cooperation has included support for women’s income generation in Nariou village. A July 2026 account on the WFP China Centre of Excellence platform describes work under the third phase of China’s Agricultural Technical Assistance Project to Burkina Faso. It reports that aquaculture activities produced 540 kilograms of marketable fish in 2025, generating approximately 1.08 million CFA francs in income.

The International Cultural Exchange Camp for Reforestation and Community Action has also included practical agricultural training. CGTN reported in July 2026 that Chinese experts in Kindi were teaching young people vegetable cultivation through classroom instruction and hands-on practice. Organizers said participants would receive seeds and equipment after completing the course, helping them establish gardens at home.

Looking Ahead

China’s involvement in foreign aid and related development partnerships offers examples of agricultural knowledge-sharing, local production and vocational training. These activities may support household livelihoods and food security. Their longer-term impact will depend on sustained resources, local uptake and evaluation of the benefits to participating communities.

– Lily K Gibson

Lily is based in Connecticut, U.S.A and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Solar Pumps, New Seeds Bring Harvest to Small-Scale Farmers in Namibia

Man carrying a cardboard box in a field, representing small-scale farmers in Namibia.
Namibia, a sunny lower-middle-income country of about 3 million people, faces numerous challenges. The 2024 Global Hunger Index rates hunger as serious, ranking Namibia 84th of 121 countries. Nearly 43% of people live in multidimensional poverty. One in three households cannot afford a basic nutritious diet. About 70% of Namibians depend on the agri-food sector, which faces floods, prolonged droughts and pest outbreaks.

Between July and September 2024, 1.15 million Namibians, or 38% of the people analyzed, faced high levels of acute food insecurity, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). A year later, within the same July to September period, the figure fell to 456,000, which the IPC attributes largely to above-average rainfall, increased production, better rangeland conditions and coordinated support. Within that national picture, CRAVE gave small-scale farmers in northern Namibia solar power and drought-tolerant seeds for a sturdier footing in agriculture.

Training Rooted in the Field

In a November 2024 account by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), a 100-hectare farm in northern Namibia became a classroom. Farmers gathered under the Namibian sun to learn climate-resilient agriculture. The GCF financed that classroom through a project called CRAVE. Its full name is Climate Resilient Agriculture in three Vulnerable Extreme Northern Crop-growing regions. The Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia began implementing it in 2017. It partnered with the agriculture ministry across Kavango East, Kavango West and Zambezi. At the Mashare Climate Resilient Agriculture Centre of Excellence, the project trained 2,831 small-scale farmers. They studied sustainable cropping and adaptation practices. Women made up 56% of them, according to the GCF.

Hardy Seeds Take Root

Farmers also received drought-tolerant seeds to complement their training. They farmed pearl millet, maize and cowpea on 24.6 hectares. Over 900 seed growers learned production and quality control at the center, so the supply can outlast the project. Pearl millet, called mahangu locally, is among the staple grains the Namibian Agronomic Board wants farmers to grow at home. Hironimus Ngandu, chairperson of the Gciriku Traditional Authority, said the project brought “change and development” that motivated his community to fight hunger.

The Sun Draws Water

Power is the missing piece in much of rural Namibia. Only about 25% of the rural population has electricity, according to a March 2025 factsheet from the German development agency (GIZ). Namibia imports 60% to 70% of its national electricity. Yet the country records more than 300 sunny days a year. The Climate Resilient Agriculture in three Vulnerable Extreme Northern Crop-growing regions (CRAVE) put Namibia’s sunny days to work. CRAVE distributed 41 solar-powered water pumps to vulnerable growers and built a 125-kilowatt solar plant with solar water heaters at the Mashare center. Together, these clean energy tools improved access to energy, water and food for 507 small-scale farmers in Namibia.

Plentiful Harvests Renew Hope for Farmers in Namibia

With skills, seeds and power in place, many farmers moved from feeding their households to selling their harvests. The project arranged 10 contracts between farmers and buyers, including the retailers Spar, Choppies, Pick n Pay and Fresh Mark. More than 2,000 dryland farmers also registered with the Agro-Marketing and Trade Agency for cereal production. Farmers sold more than 18,000 metric tons of produce for about $851,000, according to the GCF. They adopted practices such as crop rotation, intercropping and water harvesting. Hundreds of farmers also received mentoring, which the GCF links to stronger horticulture and dryland production and better household food security. The GCF invested $9.5 million in CRAVE to help improve food security for more than 313,000 people in vulnerable regions. By November 2024, the GCF reported that small-scale farmers in Namibia were reaping the results.

– Eric Onyango

Eric is based in Nairobi, Kenya and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Digital Tools For Farmers in Cameroon

Farmers in a field in Cameroon using traditional farming methods.
Digital tools for farmers in Cameroon are creating new ways for small farmers to improve their work and reach a wider audience. Agriculture provides work for a large part of the country’s population, but many farmers still have limited access to markets, information and modern farming tools. The World Bank-supported Acceleration of the Digital Transformation of Cameroon Project (PATNUC) is working to change this. The project uses digital platforms and other tools to help farmers access better seeds and fertilizers, learn more about farming conditions and connect with potential buyers.

Challenges for Small Farmers

For many small farmers in Cameroon, the challenges are not just about farming. It can also be difficult to reach customers, find reliable information and get quality seeds. Rural farmers might have less opportunity to compare prices or find new customers. This can make it harder for them to get more money for what they produce. Digital tools can help solve some of these problems by providing farmers with easier access to information, agricultural services and markets.

Digital Support Through PATNUC

One of PATNUC’s main tools is an e-voucher system that helps small farmers get seeds and fertilizers. According to a World Bank report published in March 2025, more than 9,000 producers had joined the system by December 2024. Nearly 4,000 had received subsidies for seeds and fertilizers.

A newer World Bank article from June 2026 reports that 35,000 small farmers are accessing farming supplies through the e-voucher system. PATNUC also supports digital tools that give farmers information about soil health and farming conditions. The World Bank projects that these tools could increase yields by up to 100% for some key crops.

Finding More Buyers Online

Digital tools for farmers in Cameroon are also helping producers reach more customers. For many small farmers, producing food is only one part of the challenge. They also need to find people willing to buy what they grow or produce. Digital platforms can give farmers another way to reach customers without depending only on traditional markets and local buyers.

One example is eFarm.cm, a digital marketplace that connects farmers and agricultural businesses with customers. Through the platform, producers can promote their products online and reach buyers who may not have found them otherwise. PATNUC has supported digital agriculture businesses like eFarm.cm as part of its effort to expand the use of technology in Cameroon’s agricultural sector.

The experience of Feteh Clarence, a poultry producer at Eliboy Fortune Farms, provides a clear example of what digital marketing can mean for a local business. Clarence told the World Bank in June 2026 that the farm previously produced around 5,000 chicks each week but often struggled to sell them. After beginning to use digital marketing, the business was able to sell at least 15,000 chicks per week. Production also increased and could reach as many as 20,000 chicks in a week.

For farmers and small agricultural businesses, reaching more buyers can mean more opportunities to sell what they produce and grow their businesses. Platforms such as eFarm.cm are one example of how technology can connect agricultural producers with a wider market.

Challenges of Digital Access

Not every farmer in Cameroon can easily use digital services. In rural areas, internet access can be limited, and phones or other devices can be expensive. Some farmers may also be unfamiliar with online platforms. This means that having a useful farming app or website does not always mean that farmers can use it.

In a 2022 study, FAO and the International Telecommunication Union looked at digital agriculture in 47 countries across sub-Saharan Africa, including Cameroon. Their research examined internet infrastructure, access to technology and the digital skills needed to use these services.

This matters as more farming services move online. Farmers can use their phones to check market information, learn about farming methods or find places to sell their products. But a farmer with poor internet access or little experience using digital services may not be able to do the same.

Making digital tools for farmers in Cameroon easier to use is one part of the work. Reaching farmers outside larger towns is another. Better internet access and basic digital training could help more small farmers use these services in their daily work.

Farming Information by Phone

Not every digital tool needs a smartphone or an app. In some parts of Cameroon, simple mobile phones have also been used to share farming information. This can be useful in rural areas where internet access is not always reliable.

In a 2019 article, Yves Stéphane Ngaleu, founder of ENJEAL NYS AGRO, described an SMS project that worked with small farmers in Cameroon. The project began in Nkolntsa in the Centre Region in 2017. Farmers growing crops such as cocoa and maize received messages related to their crops. The messages were sent regularly and included farming advice based on the production period. Farmers also took part in practical training where they could use what they had learned from the messages.

The service was not only used to send advice. Farmers could reply with questions and receive an answer by SMS or phone call. Mobile phones were also used to share information about cocoa prices. Ngaleu also described how the program expanded to Nkolossan in 2019, adding more crops, including cassava, tomatoes and peppers. This was an example of how simple phones could be used to share farming information without depending on a smartphone.

Digital tools for farmers in Cameroon can make some parts of farming easier. A farmer can use an online platform to look for buyers or receive useful information on a mobile phone. These services are not available to everyone yet. Some farmers still have problems with internet access, the cost of devices or using digital services. Especially in rural areas, getting online can be difficult most of the time.

Projects such as PATNUC are trying to reach more farmers. For small farmers, having better access to information and buyers can make a difference in their daily work. A phone or a simple online service cannot solve every problem, but it can give them more ways to manage their farms and sell what they produce.

– Mert Sungur

Mert is based in Bursa, Turkey and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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How Climate Insurance in Zambia Helps Protect Families

Close-up of green plant sprouting from dry, cracked soil. Climate Insurance in Zambia.
In Zambia, recent droughts as well as the threat of future natural disasters cause significant financial strain on 2 million smallholder farmers. This comes in a country where more than half of the population lives below the poverty line. As a country that mainly relies on rain-fed agriculture, the major loss of income and food that comes with crop failure can be detrimental. A possible solution to recent challenges is climate insurance in Zambia, which can aid farmers and countries who have experienced financial challenges from natural disasters.

Recent Natural Disasters

Recent natural disasters include droughts in 2023 and 2024, which were ruinous to food production and income. According to the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), 11% of Zambia’s people are affected by droughts every year. GIZ projected that 25% could be affected by 2050.

Climate Insurance Response

One response to the financial effects of crop failure is climate insurance in Zambia, which protects farmers and countries against financial hardships resulting from natural disasters such as drought. The World Food Programme (WFP) is a provider of this type of insurance.

WFP supplies three different insurance levels of climate insurance in Zambia. The first, microinsurance, protects individuals and households. According to an email sent to The Borgen Project from Chileshe Chilambwe from the WFP, microinsurance protects households and productive assets.

There is also meso insurance, which strengthens agricultural value chains and financial service providers, according to Chilambwe. Meso insurance covers institutions and groups serving farmers.

The largest tier is macro insurance, which caters to countries and larger regions. Macro insurance enables governments and humanitarian actors to respond rapidly to major climate shocks, said Chilambwe.

According to Chilambwe, the most effective approach is a layered risk financing system that combines micro, meso and macro insurance mechanisms. By utilizing all three types of insurance, Zambia can build resilience against natural disasters and crop failures.

WFP works with the Government of Zambia to provide financial and humanitarian assistance. WFP provides technical assistance to the Government of Zambia to strengthen national climate risk insurance systems, including agricultural and livestock insurance schemes, wrote Chilambwe.

Past and Present Impact

This type of insurance was in practice before the 2023-24 droughts. In 2014, WFP partnered with insurance companies to create weather insurance for smallholder farmers in Zambia’s Southern Province. As a result, the government successfully scaled agricultural insurance coverage to more than 1 million farmers nationwide, according to Chilambwe.

This impact was felt again during the 2023-2024 droughts, in which 721,969 smallholder farmers received insurance payouts. Separately, through the African Risk Capacity (ARC) Replica programme, WFP received a payout of $3.3 million, while the Government of Zambia received $9.9 million under the sovereign drought insurance coverage, wrote Chilambwe. This kind of macroinsurance payment allows people suffering from climate-related food shortages to meet immediate needs and protect their livelihoods.

Collaborative Efforts

WFP is not the only organization creating access to climate insurance. Through a project running from 2020 to 2023, GIZ partnered with the Ministry of Agriculture to train insurance and government employees and give companies advice on how to use insurance to protect Zambia.

According to the GIZ website, the project recognized that women face greater disadvantages in agricultural and financial systems and are more severely affected by climate change. By acknowledging women’s disadvantages in agricultural and financial systems, climate insurance can become more effective.

Future Prospects

As for the future, Zambia is working on expanding climate insurance in order to improve resilience against future droughts and other natural disasters. By improving agricultural and livestock insurance as well as financing mechanisms, Zambia can become more resilient than ever.

WFP will be helping too, by expanding access to on-demand insurance products and scaling up complementary financial inclusion and integrated resilience-building initiatives, according to Chilambwe.

Through multiple organizations working together with the Government of Zambia, climate resilience can grow stronger, and more people can meet immediate needs following natural disasters.

– Julia Cholerton

Julia is based in Gig Harbor, WA, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Green Hydrogen to Green Harvest in Namibia

Green Hydrogen in Namibia
Facing persistent challenges of poverty and food insecurity, Namibia is implementing industrialization and agricultural expansion initiatives to foster economic development and improve food access for its population. Namibia has a population of approximately 3.1 million, with 46% of residents living outside urban areas. These less-dense areas often struggle with food production because of the harsh and unstable desert climate, infertile soil, limited access to agricultural supplies and severe economic inequality. These challenges have made food insecurity an ongoing struggle for many Namibians.

In 2024, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) reported that 1.15 million people faced severe acute food insecurity and required urgent action to reduce food gaps and protect livelihoods. Cropping conditions in Namibia are generally poor—marked by erratic rainfall, frequent floods and droughts. Namibia is also highly dependent on imports, leaving the country vulnerable to external price increases. The cost of imported goods, food, fuel and agricultural supplies has made it expensive for local farmers and businesses to obtain fertilizer and meet agricultural demands, increasing the need for domestic solutions.

Saving Agricultural Production

Over the past five years, Namibia has become a hub for green industrialization as businesses and organizations tap into the country’s solar, wind and biomass resources. The Dâures Green Hydrogen Village is an agricultural initiative spearheading greenhouse production and green hydrogen to support agriculture, food security and community livelihoods on a 15,000-hectare site in the Erongo Region. The Dâures Green Hydrogen Village was established in 2023, and its pilot phase commenced shortly thereafter, in 2025. Throughout this period, the initiative required substantial community collaboration, creating employment opportunities for 376 Namibians and 23 small and medium enterprises. Additionally, the project engaged research partners from the University of Namibia and the University of Stuttgart, who participated in on-site research activities with both Namibian and international students, focusing on sustainable energy through green hydrogen.

Green hydrogen in Namibia is produced using renewable energy, distinguishing it from conventional hydrogen production that relies on fossil fuels. Its versatility makes it a clean energy carrier with the potential to reduce carbon emissions within agriculture. By leveraging green hydrogen for fertilizer production, energy supply and resource management, the agricultural sector could reduce its environmental impact while strengthening domestic food production. The organization has already reported success in its agricultural endeavors. The facility has harvested cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers, with produce sold to local retailers in the Erongo Region.

Managing Food Insecurity

Namibia’s food security situation improved in 2025 compared with the previous year, largely because of better rainfall, crop production, rangeland conditions and coordinated assistance. IPC reported that from July to September 2025, approximately 456,000 people experienced high levels of acute food insecurity, a sharp decrease from 1.15 million during the same period in 2024. IPC credits this improvement to “above-average rainfall during the 2024/25 season, increased crop production, improved rangeland conditions, and coordinated interventions by the government and development partners.”

However, food insecurity remains a concern in the country, with many areas still facing a food crisis. The IPC projected a deterioration during the October 2025-March 2026 lean season. The country forecasts an increase in grocery prices while food production decreases. The decline is projected to affect 612,000 Namibians (20%) already experiencing a food crisis. This worsening is attributed to the government’s discontinuation of the countrywide drought relief in August 2025, reduced labor opportunities, high unemployment and poor livestock conditions in drought-prone areas.

The Comeback

The Dâures Green Hydrogen Village aims to combat food insecurity through green production. Its goal is to produce 18 tonnes of green hydrogen in Namibia and 100 tonnes of green ammonia over the course of the project. Green ammonia will be used to produce fertilizer locally, reducing reliance on imported agricultural products. The project aims to reduce dependence on imported fertilizer and support lower-emission agricultural production. As of June 2026, the United Nations reported that the facility was producing approximately 40,000 cucumbers each month, demonstrating the potential for food production even in one of the world’s most challenging agricultural environments.

As the initiative continues to expand in phases, its ultimate goal is to develop Africa’s first green hydrogen village on a semi-industrial scale, thereby establishing a model for a ‘green circular economy’ and green industrialization. If successful, Dâures’ progress could represent a transformative step for Namibia’s agricultural sector, providing evidence that integrating green hydrogen technology can substantially reduce carbon emissions, enhance local fertilizer production and lessen dependence on imports. This approach may not only improve Namibia’s food self-sufficiency and resilience to climate variability but also serve as a replicable blueprint for other regions across Africa facing similar environmental and economic challenges.

– Ashley Woody

Ashley is based in Atlanta, GA, USA and focuses on Good News, Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons