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Banana Fiber in Uganda: A Sustainable Solution

Banana FiberThe East African Highland banana, a staple food crop, is cultivated by roughly 75% of Ugandan farmers, making it a cornerstone of both agriculture and daily life. ​​Uganda is also the top banana consumer per capita globally and Africa’s largest producer of the crop. However, this agricultural abundance has a downside: every banana harvest leaves behind heaps of pseudostems, an organic waste that typically rots in the field.

Now, innovators are reimagining that waste as the basis of a growing industry that produces biodegradable textiles, boosts rural employment and positions Uganda to meet global demand for sustainable materials.

What Is Banana Fiber and Why Now?

Banana fiber is a strong, biodegradable material extracted from the pseudostem of the banana plant. Previously discarded after harvest, these stems are now being repurposed into textiles, rope, hair extensions and even vegan leather. Compared to cotton, banana fiber requires less water and fewer chemicals and decomposes naturally. This makes it a timely alternative in the global push for sustainable materials.

This transformation was initially spearheaded by the Banana Textiles in East Africa (Banatex-EA) project at Busitema University, with support from partners like TEXFAD, a local startup. The project’s goal is to commercialize banana fibers as an alternative to cotton. According to project lead Edwin Kamalha, banana fibers share several desirable properties with cotton but with a lighter environmental footprint.

Yet regulatory and technological barriers remain. Uganda has yet to pass a biotechnology bill that would allow for genetic improvements to banana varieties better suited for fiber production. Production costs are high and large-scale mechanization is still limited, which has so far restricted the market’s ability to scale.

An Industry Takes Root: Rural Jobs and Local Impact

Banana cultivation has expanded steadily in Uganda, especially in the southwest, boosting regional incomes. Despite these gains, several smallholder farmers live below the poverty line. In response to this economic disparity, attention is now turning to banana fiber in Uganda. Its value chain is labor-intensive by nature, involving cultivation, stem harvesting, fiber extraction, spinning, weaving and final product design. This structure creates a spectrum of skilled and semi-skilled jobs, particularly in rural areas where unemployment can reach nearly 10%.

TEXFAD is currently employing both full-time and part-time workers across the fiber-to-product pipeline. The Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) sources stem from local farmers, train artisans in fiber processing and produce items like rugs, table runners and biodegradable hair extensions. More than 50% of TEXFAD’s hires are women, many of whom previously worked informally or were unemployed.

Similarly, the Banatex-EA initiative has created at least 30 full-time jobs, with more anticipated as the project scales. Three recent graduates from Busitema University have been recruited into technical roles, helping bridge academia and industry.

A Sustainable Market on the Rise

Globally, the demand for sustainable and circular materials is surging. From fashion brands seeking biodegradable textiles to eco-packaging solutions and plant-based alternatives to leather, banana fiber aligns well with these market trends. With its abundant raw materials and growing technical know-how, Uganda is well-positioned to be a leader in this space.

Still, structural challenges such as regulatory gaps and a lack of industrial-scale fiber processors must be addressed to reach export viability. As innovation continues and pilot programs like Banatex-EA demonstrate success, Uganda could unlock new export revenues while reducing rural poverty.

– Sriya Regulapati

Sriya is based in Vancouver, Canada and focuses on Business and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Food Systems in Pakistan

Food Systems in PakistanFrom inefficient supply chains to outdated frameworks, food systems in Pakistan are under significant strain. Behind spoiled harvests and empty shelves is a configuration of a fractured food crisis, where millions go hungry because of these vulnerabilities. More than 11 million people in Pakistan’s rural areas are facing these challenges, with 1.7 million in emergency conditions. Addressing the urgency of Pakistan’s systemic challenges may help reform a more sustainable infrastructure to transform the food system.

Pakistan’s Agricultural Sector

Agriculture drives Pakistan’s economy with around 44% of the labor force and contributing nearly a quarter of the country’s GDP. Aside from this sector being vital for economic stability, 67% of rural households also rely on agriculture for their livelihoods. However, challenges arise within environmental and systematic divisions, including chemical fertilizer overuse, poor irrigation techniques and outdated farming methods that have led to soil degradation, salinity and waterlogging. 

However, agricultural abundance does not automatically translate into national food security. As an example, Pakistan has produced bumper wheat crops in recent years, greater than 23 million tons in 2006 alone, yet millions still suffer from food insecurity due to poor distribution networks. The imbalance between production and access showcases a deep-rooted problem within the food system in Pakistan: a discrepancy between supply and sustainable delivery. Climate shocks, infrastructure gaps and a lack of investment in rural supply chains further exacerbate this disconnect. To ensure long-term food security, Pakistan must go beyond crop yields and focus on building a resilient and equitable food system. Addressing inefficiencies in the distribution of the food supply chain and ensuring that sustainable agricultural practices are supported from farms to households is not just a logistical challenge but a moral imperative.

Distribution of the Food Supply Chain

The distribution of food systems in Pakistan is facing challenges impacting farms and consumers. The causes of substantial post-harvest losses, from perishable fruits, vegetables and dairy are due to inadequate rural roads, lack of cold storage, unreliable transportation and market access barriers. About 30–40% of these goods never make it to the market, which threatens food availability, resulting in an annual economic loss of millions.

Yet, within these challenges lie opportunities. Investments in rural infrastructure and more localized supply chains may reduce spoilage and stabilize food prices; one major issue is the highly unequal distribution of land and water; only 37% of rural households own land, and most of those own fewer than five acres, which limits the ability of small farmers to benefit from agricultural growth. To address this, Pakistan has introduced programs aimed at improving rural infrastructure, such as expanding rural road networks and electrification projects, which may help reduce transport costs and increase access to markets. However, many rural enterprises still face frequent power outages and limited credit access, hindering productivity. Policies that invest in human capital and support both farm and non-farm rural sectors to build a more inclusive and resilient food system in Pakistan must complement these efforts.

Upgrading Infrastructure for Sustainable Food Systems

Action Against Hunger, for example,  is a non-government organization that began working in Pakistan in 2005 to combat hunger and malnutrition, especially in vulnerable rural areas. The organization focuses on improving food security by supporting home gardens, promoting climate-resilient agriculture and distributing livestock and fish to boost access to nutritious food. In the Sindh province, where child malnutrition is highest, it has helped more than 314,000 people in the past year through programs like Farmer Field Schools and vertical gardening. Its efforts have led to more diverse diets, increased crop yields and promoted better nutrition for families across 10 districts.

– Hibah Iqbal

Hibah is based in Houston, TX, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Friendship: Support To Remote Communities in Bangladesh

Remote Communities in BangladeshBangladesh is situated in South Asia on the Bay of Bengal. It is the eighth most densely populated country in the world, with a population of more than 175 million in an area of 148,460 sq km. It is a country of striking contrasts: rich in culture and resilience, yet acutely vulnerable to the impacts of changing climatic conditions. Most of the country is situated only nine meters above sea level.

An estimated 3.5 million people in the low-lying delta region face increasing threats from rising sea levels and more intense monsoon seasons. Indeed, in 2022 alone, historic floods devastated northern regions like Sylhet and Sunamganj, displacing millions and severely disrupting transportation, electricity, health care and access to education.

Despite the risks, many of Bangladesh’s neediest communities live in low-lying coastal and riverine areas, lacking sufficient income to live in lower-risk regions. These zones are fertile and agriculturally productive. However, when floods occur, it is children and low-income families who suffer most, facing destroyed homes, lost livelihoods and health crises with little support.

From One Floating Hospital to a National Lifeline

In 2002, Runa Khan founded Friendship, a nongovernmental organization (NGO) with a radical yet simple mission: delivering support to remote communities in Bangladesh with reduced access. The initiative launched a floating hospital on the Jamuna River in northern Bangladesh. This aims to provide essential health services to isolated communities living on “chars”― sandbar islands that vanish and reappear with the tides.

Since then, Friendship has evolved into a wide-reaching, holistic organization. Today, its 5,000 employees ― more than 70% of whom come from local communities ― work to break cycles of poverty and increase resilience to the regional climate crisis. Its integrated approach includes health care, education, disaster preparedness, economic development and clean energy and water access.

Health Care and Remote Communities in Bangladesh

Friendship operates a unique three-tier health care system:

  • Tier 1: Two floating hospitals and two land hospitals bring lifesaving services to remote areas. The Shyamnagar hospital alone provided emergency services to 317 patients in recent years.
  • Tier 2: Two cervical cancer screening centers tackle Bangladesh’s second-most prevalent form of cancer, offering prevention and treatment in areas where such services are rarely available.
  • Tier 3: About 680 Friendship Community Medic-Aides, local women trained in basic medical care, offer antenatal, postnatal and child health services.

Powering Livelihoods and Clean Futures

Friendship’s Sustainable Economic Development program supports long-term resilience. In its innovative solar villages, 291 households, 62 shops, four schools and two mosques are now powered by 24-hour solar energy. This has enabled families to extend working hours, refrigerate food and medicines and improve safety and security at night. Clean water access is another priority. Friendship has also supplied more than 700,000 liters of clean drinking water to hundreds of families, drastically reducing disease.

Meanwhile, the organization’s farmers’ club provides sustainable farming training. It empowers more than 1,400 farmers to grow climate-resilient crops like sweet potatoes and mustard. Romesa Khatun, a club member, began using earthworms to make fertilizer in 2022, selling the product and using it in her vegetable garden. She says that the support of the club and Sherazul Islam, project officer at Friendship’s Sustainable Economic Development Sector, empowered her to embrace innovative farming techniques to support her family, especially when her husband is away for work.

These programs boost food security and provide more adaptive livelihoods to environmental challenges.

Hope from Within

In Bangladesh’s flood-prone coastal and riverine communities, poverty and climate vulnerability often go hand in hand. But through Friendship’s work with remote communities in Bangladesh, hope is taking root. What began as a floating hospital has become a nationwide lifeline. It delivers support to remote communities and uplifts them with health care, education, economic opportunity and climate resilience.

Rather than relying on top-down aid, Friendship invests in people ― training local women as community health workers, equipping youth with education and leadership skills and helping farmers adapt to a changing climate. Indeed, Friendship’s impact shows that locally led, community-focused development can help vulnerable populations chart a path toward safety, dignity and lasting change even in the face of rising waters.

– Holly McArthur

Holly is based in Somerset, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Everything You Need To Know About Hunger in Senegal

Hunger in SenegalSenegal is known for its rich culture and improved democratic stability. The country made significant progress in improving its infrastructure, health, economy and access to clean water and sanitation. Despite its vibrant culture and strides in democratic governance, the nation faces a persistent challenge in hunger. Food insecurity continues to affect many, particularly in rural and underserved communities. Examining root causes, impacts and potential solutions are crucial to understanding this ongoing crisis. Hunger in Senegal originates from the climate, the economy and social factors. According to the Global Hunger Index (GHI), in 2024, Senegal ranks 72 out of 127 countries with a score of 15.3 in the category of “moderate,” an improvement from previous years, which saw the country in the “alarming” category.

About Hunger in Senegal

About 4.6% of the population is undernourished, 17.5% of children less than the age of five are stunted, 10.2% of children less than  five are wasted, and about 3.7% of children die before the age of five. Hunger is more pronounced in regions like Matam, Kolda, and Tambacounda, where poverty, limited infrastructure and poor agricultural yields intersect. 

Hunger in Senegal predominantly exists in rural areas, with women and children affected the most. More than 30% of Senegal’s workforce is involved in agriculture and is overly dependent on rainfed farming, according to the International Trade Administration (ITA). Due to changing weather patterns, Senegal experiences rapid-unpredictable rainfall and massive amounts of drought, leading to desertification in crop fields and a shortage of food availability. The World Food Program (WFP) reports that in 2023, about 1.26 million people will experience extreme hunger during the lean season. 

Hunger in Rural Areas and Women Farmers

Economic disparity contributes to the issue, especially in rural areas. In 2022, the World Bank estimated that 36.3% of the population lives below the poverty line. Additionally, the impact of food prices soaring  in 2022 contributes to hunger in Senegal. In 2022,  Senegal saw a record-breaking 21.40% in food inflation, with only a slight decrease in March 2025. 

Gender inequality and social and political norms contribute to the crisis by denying crucial employment and land ownership. Women are the backbone of agricultural production, making up 70% of the workforce and producing 80% of crops, but they have restricted access to land. Laure Tall, the research director at the Agricultural and Rural Prospect Initiative, claims that women farmers are invisible and work two to four hours longer than the average man. 

Nutritional Deficiencies

Diets often lack essential nutrients, leading to micronutrient deficiencies. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that anemia affects nearly 60% of children under five and about 50% of pregnant women. Vitamin A deficiency, low protein intake and iron deficiency are widespread. Malnourishment plagues children’s development because they are the most likely to struggle in school and face lifelong cognitive challenges. Adults, weakened by poor diets, are less productive and more vulnerable to illness, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and underdevelopment.

Initiatives Addressing Hunger in Senegal

Despite the grim picture, the Senegalese government and international partners launched several programs to combat hunger. In 2016, the Senegalese government adopted the National Program for Food Security, known as the Programme National d’Appui à la Sécurité Alimentaire et à la Résilience (PNASAR), aiming to sustainably improve food and nutritional security for households. The program emphasizes coordinated, multisectoral interventions that address both immediate needs and long-term development goals.

The World Food Program (WFP) has also been working to address hunger in Senegal. The WFP provides meals for schoolchildren in areas where food insecurity is high. In 2022, the WFP fed approximately 17% of primary schools. The WFP reached more than 71,000 pupils in 285 primary schools across three regions. The school feeding program, launched in March 2021, receives funding from the Global Partnership for Education. 

The We Are the Solution movement is another noteworthy initiative addressing food insecurity in Senegal. Mariama Sonko, a Senegalese farmer, started the We Are the Solution movement, which includes about 115,000 active women farmers. The goal is to train women to become community farmers and increase the workforce. As previously stated, women make up 70% of the agricultural workforce. Sonko’s movement is helping local efforts by increasing groups to sell vegetables from communal gardens, leading to the reinvestment of profits into nutrition programs for children and mothers. Educating families on dietary diversity and the importance of local produce helps reshape eating habits and generates awareness nationwide. 

Looking Ahead

Ultimately, the road to a hunger-free nation is long, but not impossible. With increased investment in climate-smart agriculture, nutrition education and gender equity, the fight will remain strong. 

– Sebastian Llerena

Sebastian is based in Edison, NJ, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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International Charities Working To Fight Poverty in Ethiopia

Poverty in EthiopiaNearly 70% of people live in multidimensional poverty in Ethiopia, with rural areas the worst affected. Multidimensional poverty encompasses various aspects of life, from food and job insecurity to poor health and living conditions. As such, Ethiopians suffer a crisis of circular poverty, with generations experiencing the same lack of access to clean water, education and life-saving health care. Due to the complexity of poverty in Ethiopia, international support and humanitarian aid play a vital role. Here are three of the international organizations working to make lasting change.

Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps has supported communities across Ethiopia since 2004. Its mission is to provide immediate, long-lasting support that will impact this generation and all those to come. Within 20 years, the organization has helped more than four million people in Ethiopia. Mercy Corps focuses its support on vulnerable communities, particularly marginalized Ethiopians such as women and those living in conflict-affected areas.

For many, support comes in the form of business skills acquisition, help in fostering market relationships and professional mentorship. Training and support like this are given to aid the building of stable economic opportunities throughout the country, allowing individuals to secure reliable employment and income streams.

Immediate support also plays a key role in Mercy Corps’ support, particularly in ensuring access to food for many Ethiopians. While some of its programs deliver agricultural support and climate-resistant seeds to rural areas, others provide immediate relief to Ethiopia’s impoverished people. This includes food deliveries and cash aid to allow families to purchase household necessities and ensure they have access to food.

Tikkun Olam Ventures (TOV)

TOV started with a two-year pilot program in Ethiopia, building upon decades of existing humanitarian work done by The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) across the country. The initiative aims to provide innovative Israeli technology to those still reliant on traditional farming methods and break the cycle of poverty in communities. Since then, tomatoes, onions and hot peppers have been grown using drip irrigation systems, fertilizers and hybrid seeds using this vital technology.

It’s estimated that two-thirds of those living in extreme poverty worldwide make their livelihoods from farming. This global reality is particularly staggering in Ethiopia, where agriculture is the largest economic sector, contributing 43% to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Despite its importance, many farmers, especially smallholder and family farmers, remain trapped in a cycle of poverty, relying heavily on their crops for both income and sustenance.

To ensure that farmers can continue improving crop yields and ensure food and income security, TOV has used funding from an Ethiopian bank to purchase technology, seeds and technical support. When loans are repaid, the money returns to the loan fund, allowing more farmers to receive the benefits of Israeli technology.

For-Ethiopia

For-Ethiopia aims to reduce poverty in Ethiopia through education and health services. It believes that real change begins with small developmental projects focused on the community and its residents. The organization’s support includes providing medical equipment and training to health centers and health posts to ensure that everyone has access to clean, sterile environments and experienced health care workers.

A key priority of its aid is responding directly to community needs. For example, when health care workers requested fridges, For-Ethiopia ensured they received them. For-Ethiopia believes ending poverty in Ethiopia begins with access to education and health care, including clean, sanitary water.

Just as it supports health care facilities with essential equipment, it also supplies schools with resources such as books, bathrooms with handwashing stations and more. It credits these efforts with a more than 20% increase in girls’ school enrollment.

For-Ethiopia is currently running the Women and Children First campaign, which focuses on reducing maternal and infant mortality rates in the country.

Conclusion

Organizations like Mercy Corps, TOV, and For-Ethiopia are making a significant impact in Ethiopia by addressing poverty through agriculture, education, and health care. Their work demonstrates that lasting change is achievable with global support and community-driven solutions.

– Macy Hall

Macy is based in Dover, Kent, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Green Jobs and Economic Growth in Low-Income Countries

Economic Growth in Low-Income CountriesA green economy could be defined by three characteristics: low-carbon, socially inclusive and resource-efficient. Focusing on renewable energy, sustainable agricultural practices and opening new horizons for eco-friendly industries, the green economy holds the potential to serve as a powerful tool for boosting economic growth in low-income countries. Using investments as a focal point, green economies target renewable energy such as solar power, wind power and hydrogen to grow employment and income as well as prevent loss of biodiversity. By integrating environmentally sustainable practices into these key sectors, nations that adopt a green economy could create jobs and mitigate long-term poverty.

Green Jobs as a Catalyst for Economic Opportunity

In many low-income countries, poverty as a result of unemployment is a widespread issue, particularly in rural areas. In this case, the green economy presents itself as an occasion to diversify job markets and offer employment opportunities in areas that have not yet been brought to mainstream industries. By expanding into sectors such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and waste management, green jobs create a stronger bond with the social sphere of communities instead of just an environment-based one.

The renewable energy sector alone could offer significant job creation potential as the installation, operation and maintenance of solar power systems, wind turbines and hydroelectric systems require skilled workers in both urban and rural communities. These jobs could provide stable income and improve the lives of many by reducing dependency on costly alternatives such as imported fossil fuel-based energy and thus, increasing energy affordability on a larger scale. In the past decade, employment in renewable energy has nearly doubled, reaching a whopping 13.7 million in 2022, an increase from a total of 7.3 million in 2012.

Sustainable Agriculture

For many low-income economies, agriculture is the backbone of society. Smallholder farmers produce at least one-third of the world’s food, yet many of them continue to face poverty due to escalating issues such as outdated farming practices, environmental degradation and poor yields. In Rwanda, projects such as Land Husbandry, Water Harvesting and Hillside Irrigation (LWH) have positively contributed to a wider socioeconomic understanding of the need for agroforestry projects. The LWH has improved crop yields and land degradation, leading to an increase in incomes for smallholder farmers. This has also significantly alleviated poverty concerns as well as strengthened food security in local areas.

Thus, for the agriculture sector, green jobs can provide solutions to these issues by creating and encouraging sustainable farming methods that raise productivity and prevent environmental degradation. Investing time and effort into methods such as organic farming, agroforestry and soil conservation as well as into training smallholder farmers the value of these practices is a step towards improving long-term land fertility and crop yields.

Boosting Local Economies

Increasing interest in eco-friendly industries offers another opportunity to reduce poverty in low-income countries as these industries focus on sustainable manufacturing and construction. Activities such as these are labor-intensive and difficult to outsource, meaning they create local job opportunities.

With the right training, green industries require a diverse range of skills that workers—from technicians and engineers to managers and urban planners—can develop to adapt to the demand for environmentally responsible products. An example of this is the World Bank’s Energy Efficiency Improvement in Commercial and Industrial Sectors (VEEIE) project based in Vietnam. This project works towards helping local factories to adopt energy-efficient technologies to reduce costs and increase productivity. This project contributes to the creation of green jobs that have employed local workers to carry out installation and maintenance-related services in this industry.

Economic Growth in Low-Income Countries

Green jobs have already shown considerable success in addressing unemployment-driven poverty. In Kenya, for example, solar energy projects such as the Green Mini-Grid Program have successfully used incoming investments to create jobs in rural areas. By employing local workers who are in charge of installing, operating and carrying out maintenance for the solar energy products, this initiative provides affordable access to energy as well as employment opportunities for those in need.

Green jobs have the potential to significantly contribute to economic growth in low-income countries by providing a wider range of economic opportunities at the local level. Sectors such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and eco-friendly industries hold the potential to contribute to long-term economic growth, job creation and providing relief for those that live under poverty. With the appropriate policies, training programs and investment in the green economy, low-income countries can stimulate local economies and play a central role in economic well-being, environmental preservation and poverty reduction.

– Mashal Aman

Mashal is based in Kyoto, Japan and focuses on Business and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Poverty in Colombia’s Chocó Region

Poverty in Colombia’s Chocó RegionChocó, Colombia’s poorest region, has long been a victim of ongoing conflict, corruption and racism, resulting in a poverty rate that far exceeds the national average. Almost 80% of the population in Chocó lives below the poverty line. The impact on children is especially severe, with child mortality rates in the region doubling those seen elsewhere in Colombia.

While the alarming poverty rate can be attributed to the ongoing armed conflict between the National Liberation Army (ELN) and the Autodefensas Gaitanistas de Colombia (AGC), discriminative poverty remains in abundance. About 82.1% of the population in this region are Afro-Colombian and indigenous communities, such as the Embera, who also call Chocó home. These groups face conflict, discriminative policies and geographical difficulties, resulting in malnutrition and a lack of care and access to necessities.

While the region remains under scrutiny from armed groups and conflicts, there are some initiatives in place to help alleviate extreme poverty in Colombia’s Chocó Region. The Millennium Development Goals Achievement Fund (MDG-F) aims to improve food security and nutrition in Chocó. Similarly, a government notion of “total peace” operates across the country to better the situation in post-conflict zones and ensure peace prevails. The situation in Chocó remains dire, but promises by current President Gustavo Petro bring hope for the future.

Why Is Chocó Poor?

  1. Armed Conflict: Chocó has historically been plagued by conflict and hardship, from Colombia’s civil war to enduring clashes between the leftist guerrilla group ELN and the right-wing paramilitary group AGC. These opposing forces continue to battle for territory, illicit trade routes, economic control and key smuggling pathways into Panama, fuelled by the region’s abundant illegal drugs and valuable natural resources like timber, platinum and gold. Many years of friction have led to the displacement of 181,000 people, high rates of sexual violence and limited access to essential services. The violence has left many individuals in psychological distress, with little to no access to necessary medical or mental health support.
  2. Geography: Chocó has a unique and complex geography, enriched with highly biodiverse, dense forest, the Andean mountains to the East and the Pacific coast to the West. Many areas are only accessible by boat or plane, making it an easy target for armed groups and vulnerably isolated from essential amenities. This remoteness means that more than 30% of the population has no access to running water and 80% have no sewage system, spurring the spread of disease and infection. Furthermore, Chocó has the poorest health care in Colombia, with only one hospital accessible in Quibdó, leaving much of the population vulnerable to often easily cured illnesses or injuries. 
  3. Farming: The lack of transport links, infrastructure and money means most rely on farming to sustain a living, specifically coca and Pancoger farming. However, changes in weather patterns and the increased effects of climate instability, pollution and flooding have destroyed much of the arable land, leading to increased crop failures and, thus, food shortages. Harvesting Coca plants has been a long-standing form of farming in Colombia, providing much necessary income for small-holder farmers. However, the market has dropped significantly and the government has implemented initiatives to destroy the crop to target illegal industries.

Total Peace

Since Petro’s election in 2022, his administration has championed a “total peace” initiative to reduce violence and foster long-term stability in Colombia. This strategy allows the government to negotiate with criminal organizations in hopes of securing permanent disarmament and eventually reducing violence in Colombia. Petro has pledged significant investments in education and reconciliation efforts, supporting various programs that address the roots of conflict.

Additionally, he has prioritized investment in post-conflict regions like Chocó, where longstanding violence has left deep scars. Among his administration’s key achievements, Petro announced a guaranteed investment of $24.5 million for road infrastructure in Chocó. Progress has also been seen in security, with reported clashes between state authorities and armed groups decreasing by 48%, signaling a hopeful shift toward stability in the region.

The MDG-F’s Joint Program

The MDG-F’s Joint Program focuses on improving food security and nutrition for impoverished people in Chocó. The program is directed at helping the particularly vulnerable, including pregnant women, children and Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities who face marginalization and exclusion. While the program promotes physical and cognitive development in individuals, it also aims to strengthen inter-ethnic and gender relationships to maintain peace and reduce inequality.

The program recorded several successes in reducing poverty and improving health outcomes, particularly among children in Colombia’s Chocó region. More than 80% of malnourished children recorded at the start of the intervention have shown significant recovery, contributing to decreased food and nutrition insecurity across the region. Beyond physical health improvements, the program has fostered a sense of empowerment and active community participation, helping residents feel more involved in shaping their futures and supporting each other in the journey toward stability and well-being.

– Sofia Bowes

Sofia is based on the Isle Of Skye and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The ZAI Method: Reversing Desertification in West Africa

The ZAI MethodLand degradation is affecting farmers around the world; in desert climates, already arid land is becoming barren, affecting crops and farmers’ livelihoods and survival. A micro-catchment system invented in the ’80s to restore these degraded drylands has been successful in improving the agricultural yields in these areas. It continues to be adapted for new climates to combat similar regions.

The ZAI Plant Pit system

This system, called the ZAI Plant Pit system, was developed in the ’80s by Burkinabe farmer and agronomist Yacouba Sawadogo. The Zai method was originally used in Mali. However, it was adopted and improved in the northern regions of Burkina Faso. It was used to restore the degraded drylands that were closer to the Sahara Desert. Other countries in Western Africa that also suffer from frequent drought or soil fertility issues have adopted this method to improve their agricultural yields with success.

The system consists of dug holes in the land that are then filled with organic compost during the dry season before planting seeds. The compost attracts termites that burrow into the soil, breaking it up and creating crevices that can hold water. The dimensions of these holes vary according to the type of soil and determine how much water they harvest. The ZAI method is successful in producing crop yields in areas where soils have been so degraded that water can no longer infiltrate deeper into the soil and the topsoil has been washed or blown away.

How It Works

Barren land provides multiple challenges when trying to restore soil fertility. Surface crusts must be broken up to plant seeds, but excessive disturbance can lead to moisture loss. Zai pits break the crust just enough for seeds to germinate without losing additional moisture. During the wet season, when rains are sporadic but intense, water must be used efficiently. Zai pits direct all available water into the soil and toward the plants. The displaced soil forms mounds beside the pits, channeling water down into the surrounding pits.

This method captures surface runoff, concentrates water at the plant roots and improves soil infiltration. Additionally, materials like manure, fertilizers and compost are concentrated at the plant roots, ensuring efficient nutrient absorption. The technique is simple and can be implemented with minimal resources. Zai pits restore organic content and productivity to the soil, making them an effective response to long-term agricultural challenges like climate emergencies. As rainfall becomes more erratic and droughts more frequent and prolonged, methods like the Zai technique are increasingly essential.

By concentrating resources like water for crops and preventing desertification—a process where fertile land turns into desert, often due to drought or deforestation—the Zai method enhances soil productivity and organic content. This technique not only revitalizes the land but also supports the livelihoods of the people who depend on it.

Impact

In the desert lands of West Africa, the Zai method has been highly successful in boosting crop yields. It has shown excellent results in reclaiming abandoned land for agriculture in Burkina Faso and Mali. Due to its success, the Zai method is being adapted for crop cultivation and forest regeneration efforts in Central and East Africa and is gaining global recognition.

Final Note

While the Zai farming system is simple and offers many benefits, its success is geographically limited. Not all areas with low rainfall have the “composting termites” essential for optimal productivity with this method. Although Zai pits can still be used in regions without these termites, water infiltration and crop yields may be lower. Additionally, digging the pits is labor-intensive and can only be done during the dry season, which restricts the timeframe for this work. Proper training is also crucial, as the size and placement of the pits are key to the system’s effectiveness.

– Hodges Day

Hodges is based in San Francisco, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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3 Agricultural NGOs in East Timor

Agricultural NGOs in East TimorEast Timor is a small Pacific island near Australia and Indonesia. Of its economically active citizens, nearly 80% are active in agriculture. Agriculture makes up 25.4% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), with its main exports being coffee, rice, corn, beans and more. As the main activity and source of income for most of the population, agriculture is vital for East Timor’s economy and people. Despite being a crucial sector of the economy, many Timorese farmers lack high-quality equipment and knowledge of sustainable crop production methods, leading to low yields and poor-quality crops. This is where agricultural nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) play a crucial role in improving farming practices in East Timor. Here are three examples of NGOs focused on enhancing agricultural development in the region.

RAEBIA

RAEBIA is a local organization that promotes conservation agriculture to support communities. In response to challenges such as drought and adverse climatic conditions, the organization focuses on teaching sustainable farming techniques to rural farmers in East Timor, ensuring agricultural practices are resilient and future-oriented.

To achieve its goals, RAEBIA operates two key programs—Seeds of Survival and Community Seed Banking. Through these initiatives, the organization has established two community seed banks, which serve as local institutions to preserve seeds. Additionally, several hectares of farmland have been conserved using techniques like terracing, controlled grazing and controlled deforestation.

By teaching and implementing these practices, farming in East Timor can become sustainable as the soil quality improves. The programs have also committed to educating the local communities on combating climate emergencies and empowering local leaders in the farming community, including women and youth.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is another NGO operating in Timor Leste and it is working to support the country’s agricultural census and management systems for its agriculture. Guided by its Country Programming Framework (CPF), FAO works to improve farming livelihoods and support smallholder fishing. For example, FAO collaborated with the Secretary of State of Fisheries to develop sustainable marine management in East Timor. Furthermore, it strengthened regional and national fisheries governance.

Additionally, FAO also donated money to East Timor’s Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries to enhance their monitoring and evaluation capacity. This was achieved by developing a system and improving its planning, programming and decision-making, using the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries data. FAO’s goal was to push East Timor’s aquaculture to enhance from the top down, with the government using “the developed M&E system to inform evidence-based policy planning and decisions.”

The Global Agriculture and Food Security Program

The NGO has a program operating in East Timor called the Sustainable Agriculture Productivity Improvement Program (SAPIP) that focuses on increasing smallholder agriculture productivity. In rural areas, crops are typically watered only by rainfall due to a lack of proper irrigation equipment. These crops are often grown through unsustainable small-scale subsistence farming on poor-quality soil.

SAPIP aims to enhance food security in East Timor by boosting public sector investments to increase smallholder agricultural productivity. Furthermore, it connects farmers to markets, helps mitigate risks such as floods and offers technical assistance. The NGO plans to train farmers using the Farmer Field School model. This will equip them with knowledge of good agricultural practices and demonstrate the benefits of collective farming.

As of December 2021, SAPIP had benefited 70,121 people, 47% of whom were women. This has been achieved by providing 123,554 days of training to scientists, extension agents, agro-dealers, farmers and community members to boost agricultural productivity. Additionally, 14,386 farmers became members of associations, approaching the end target of 16,500. SAPIP has made a substantial impact on East Timor’s agricultural communities.

Conclusion

These three agricultural NGOs in East Timor each have slightly different focuses, but all share the goal of improving and strengthening the country’s agriculture sector. Whether by promoting sustainable practices, uniting and empowering farming communities or advancing aquaculture, all three organizations have significantly contributed to enhancing East Timor’s agriculture quality.

– Hannah Chang

Hannah is based in Philadelphia, PA, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Common

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The Challenge of Sustaining Ukraine’s Agricultural Sector

Ukraine’s Agricultural SectorUkraine’s agricultural sector underpins its national economy and global food security. Therefore, the support of the United States (U.S.) for Ukrainian agriculture is a strategic priority. The European Union (EU), meanwhile, has balanced supporting Ukraine with protecting EU agricultural markets.

The Importance of Ukraine’s Agricultural Sector

Ukraine’s agricultural sector employs 14% of its population. Ukraine was the largest global producer of sunflower, the second largest producer of sunflower oil and meal, the sixth for rapeseed and corn and the seventh for wheat. Following an Association Agreement with the EU, agriculture’s share of Ukraine’s exports increased from 27% in 2013 to 41% by 2021, with agricultural exports to the EU accounting for $7.7 billion out of a total of $27.8 billion.

The war in Ukraine has worsened food price inflation and acute global food insecurity, particularly in the Middle East and Africa. An estimated 400 million people in 36 of the 55 food-insecure countries rely on Ukrainian food products. Previously, half of the World Food Programme’s (WFP) grain stock came from Ukraine. The country also supplied a third of the cereal imported into the Middle East and North Africa. Nations like Libya, Pakistan, Yemen and Lebanon import 30% of their wheat from Ukraine, while 45% of wheat imports to East Africa come from the country.

Global food prices and acute food insecurity reached record highs in 2022, partly due to the war’s disruptions of supply chains and the price of fertilizer, food commodities and fuel. This also raises humanitarian assistance costs.

The Extent of Damage Inflicted

Russia has strategically destroyed, damaged and seized farms, food storage facilities, agricultural machinery and irrigation systems. This allows Russia to diminish Ukraine’s income and ability to resist, acquire the nation’s exports and create pressure by provoking food crises. Russia inflicted $10.3 billion in damages to the agricultural sector and $69.8 billion in losses by the end of 2023. Agricultural machinery accounts for 56.7 % of lost value.

Among the seized or lost products are 2.8 million tonnes of grain, 1.2 million tonnes of oilseeds, 124,000 tonnes of fertilizer and 11.6 million liters of fuel. The conflict caused seven million Ukrainians to experience moderate or severe acute food insecurity in September 2023. The regions of Zaporizhya, Kherson and Luhansk suffered the most, with 65% of the total damages. An estimated 7.5% of Ukrainian cropland has been abandoned.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that harvested area is down from 2021 levels for wheat, corn and barley for 2023 are down 32%, 27% and 37%, respectively. Nearly 20% of Ukraine’s storage capacity on its territory is lost.

Global Support

Following Russia’s capture of key ports by May 2022, exports went through Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania by land and river through EU Solidarity Lanes and later via a corridor with Turkey. The high weight-to-value ratio of agricultural products renders transportation by land expensive, reducing the level of grain exported and making sea routes crucial. The U.N.-brokered Black Sea Grain Initiative enabled the export of nearly 33 million metric tons of grains and other agricultural products from July 2022 to July 2023. To further alleviate food security pressures, international sanctions against Russia (and Belarus) exempted agricultural products, including fertilizer.

The EU has also been crucial in supporting Ukraine’s agricultural sector, with 50% of Ukrainian wheat exports going to Europe in February 2022. However, opposition from EU farmers led to restricted grain sales from May 2022 to September 2023. Now, the EU has implemented quotas for Ukrainian agricultural products and emergency breaks for certain products to protect their farmers while also re-exporting grain.

Similarly, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Agriculture Resilience Initiative (AGRI-Ukraine) supported the production and export of seeds, fertilizers and agricultural equipment. Investment totaled $350 million in its first year. In July, USAID announced it secured $510 million in private sector and donor investments for Ukraine’s agricultural sector. The program helped 32% of Ukraine’s registered farmers access seeds, fertilizers, crop protection, storage and financing.

Conclusion

Ukraine’s agricultural sector benefited from global economic support, trade reconfiguration and the recovery of some ports. Despite increased production and exports, recovering Ukraine’s agricultural output and income is challenging amid hostilities. However, it is crucial in tempering global food crises and sustaining Ukraine’s resistance effort. The biggest challenges include extensive infrastructure damage, landmine prevalence, trade costs and disruptions and coordination between Ukraine’s government, international actors and the private sector.

– Luke Ravetto

Luke is based in Boston, MA and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project

Photo: Wikimedia Commons