MERCY CORPS AGRIFIN HOSTS THE 7TH AGRIFIN LEARNING EVENT IN NAIROBI

MERCY CORPS AGRIFIN HOSTS THE 7TH AGRIFIN LEARNING EVENT IN NAIROBI 

Mercy Corps and it’s partners earlier today hosted the 7th AgriFin Learning Event (ALE) in Nairobi, with the aim of bringing together stakeholders in the agricultural sector who are focused on leveraging digital technology, to drive the sector’s growth, and improve the lives of smallholder farmers.

The event provides an ultimate platform to explore cutting-edge digital strategies, share emerging practices and drive meaningful collaborations in addressing the pressing challenges faced by smallholder farmers.

Speaking during the official opening of the event, the Program Director of Mercy Corps AgriFin Sieka Gatabaki said that the program shows 10 years of work around looking at how digital innovation can improve the lives of small-scale producers.

"The AgriFin Program represents 10 years of work around looking at how digital innovation can really change the lives of small-scale producers."

Gatabaki added that the program works by identifying innovations and innovators that can be able to support small-scale producers in different activities and the challenges they go through while trying to increase their incomes, productivity and resilience.

"What we do is that we identify innovations and innovators that have the capacity to support small-scale producers in various activities and challenges they face as they try to increase their incomes, productivity and resilience," he said.

PHOTO: Program Director of Mercy Corps AgriFin Sieka Gatabaki and other stakeholders posing for a photo during the Agrifin Learning Event in Nairobi 

According to Mercy Corps research, smallholder farmers in Africa are affected by multiple stressors and shocks that negatively disrupt farming systems and consequently threaten farmers’ livelihoods. These stressors are caused by environmental and economic shocks. Economic shocks include those caused by conflicts that lead to failing agricultural markets. 

Further, environmental shocks include the effects of climate change that lead to proliferation of disease incidences and pest infestation, such as the 2019 – 2021 desert locust invasion, droughts, and floods. In addition, smallholder farmers are heavily affected by pandemics such as Covid-19. The booming digital technology era provides a viable way to build farmers’ resilience to cope with the shocks. 

PHOTO: Delegates keenly following discussions during the 7th AgrFin Learning Event 

AgriFin Learning Event provides a critical platform for stakeholders in the agriculture ecosystem to learn through experience, share tested digital technologies and practices that strengthen the resilience of smallholder farmers.

Mercy Corps commitment to supporting small-scale farmers is evident through the AgrFin Learning Event (ALE), where the focus is on equipping farmers with digital tools and knowledge to overcome environmental and economic shocks.

Through the event, Mercy Corps aims to foster a supportive ecosystem that leverages digital technology to enhance agricultural resilience and ensure the well-being of farming communities. The program as well aims to benefit over five million smallholder farmers across Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Nigeria, by providing them with the tools and resources needed to navigate complex challenges.


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