Temesgen Girma, a 30-year-old father of five from the Shino Funamura Kebele in Ethiopia’s Angacha district, has been the Sasakawa Africa Association’s (SAA’s) host farmer since 2021. His enterprise as a farmer has over that duration transformed several-fold thanks to education on regenerative, nutrition-sensitive, and market-oriented agriculture.  

Temesgen credits the Talking Books (TBs), a digital extension system provided by SAA in partnership with Amplio, for significantly enhancing his knowledge. The Talking Book is a battery-powered digital tool that delivers pre-recorded Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) to farmers. This innovative tool allows farmers to access GAP messages at their convenience, ensuring timely and relevant information transfer. In the Temesgen’s district alone, over 420 farmers have benefited from TBs, improving their farming practices. 

Temesgen says he has gained insights into various farming techniques, such as composting, planting methods, fertilizer application, crop rotation, soil and water conservation, and marketing strategies. Today, he has successfully established an improved composting set up and is cultivating a diverse range of vegetables in his permagarden, including cabbages, beetroots, carrots, and peppers.  

Temesgen further lauds the triple benefits of SAA’s interventions, emphasizing that they have improved his family’s nutrition, taught him about diverse diets, and introduced him to new economic opportunities.  

“These fresh vegetables not only contribute to my family’s healthy diet, but they also provide a source of income, as the marketing skills I learned enable me to sell surplus produce,” he said. 

He also recognizes the positive impact of TB enabled messages on soil health and productivity. He remains eager to continue sharing the knowledge gained from SAA with his community.  

“There was a time when hunger loomed over us,” said Malian farmer Mamadou Djan Keita. “But now, with improved agricultural practices, rice is no longer a luxury but a staple in our diet,” he added.  

Keita attributes the changing fortunes of his community to the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA), which has trained farmers on the best agricultural practices, including post-harvest management. He affectionately referred to SAA as “SASAKAFA,” meaning “eating well” in his local dialect, as a testament to the significant impact SAA’s intervention has had on his community’s food security.  

The SAA supported the establishment of a Production and Post-Harvest Trading/Training Center (PHTC) in Siranikoto, which has been instrumental in uniting 10 primary cooperatives across different villages. This has significantly enhanced their operational efficiency in delivering the necessary support to communities, fostering sustainable agricultural practices. Keita is the president of the Center.  

Keita attributes SAA’s hands-on training for bringing hope to thousands who depend on agriculture for their livelihoods. He acknowledges the crucial role of the quality seeds introduced by SAA and commended the organization’s work in establishing community-based seed multiplication plots within his community. Such technologies, he said, have helped transform the quality of harvests in the region.  

“We are steadily marching towards food self-sufficiency,” he said. 

Other simple agricultural techniques such as practices like mulching, utilizing crop residues, compost production and use, and crop rotation have also been instrumental in enhancing soil fertility and yields.

Caroline Adong, 42, from Awili Village, Okweredot Subcounty in Uganda’s Kole District, faced challenges in traditional farming due to outdated techniques and poor soil management. This resulted in unpredictable yields and financial difficulties, impacting her family’s well-being and her children’s education. 

In 2022, Adong joined the Obang-en-mar farmer group, specializing in maize and soybean production. The group underwent comprehensive training from the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA), covering line-planting, improved seed usage, effective crop spraying, postharvest management, and optimal drying methods.  

SAA’s guidance also encompassed marketing strategies, enabling farmers to negotiate prices and find profitable markets.  

“Sasakawa’s teachings have transformed my life,” said Adong. 

In the first season harvest of the year, Adong earned over $250 from maize and an additional $270 from rice sales. She invested the earnings in a second-hand milling machine to add value to her produce and expanded her cultivation to 10 acres. Her success has extended beyond her fields; she is now a quality seed multiplier for Nerica Rice, known for its superior quality and improved yields, benefiting the community. 

Adong actively shares her knowledge through training sessions on planting, harvesting, and post-harvest handling. Her efforts have created a ripple effect, after fellow farmers witnessed improved yields and adopting better agricultural practices. 

Beyond farming, Adong opened a store in Arua, selling a variety of produce, including groundnuts, rice, cassava flour, posho, and millet. Her journey is not only transforming Awili Village but also serves as evidence of how empowering farmers can lead to widespread prosperity. 

Bugiri district in Eastern Uganda has undergone significant agricultural and economic transformation, thanks to strategic interventions by the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA). SAA introduced improved maize seeds, proper fertilizer application, and sustainable agriculture training, into the region triggering positive changes. In 2009, addressing storage challenges, SAA partnered with the World Food Program to establish the One Stop Agricultural Centre Association (OSCA) at the Bugiri Agribusiness and Institutions Development Association (BAIDA). 

OSCA, a key regional player, can bulk over 300 metric tons of grain. From 2012 to 2016, it successfully sold grain to distant markets like Kisumu and Eldoret in neighboring Kenya, showcasing Bugiri’s expanding market influence. To combat falling maize prices, SAA supported BAIDA in securing assistance from the local government. This led to acquiring a multipurpose hauler milling machine and tractor, facilitating a shift to value addition. This not only doubled income but also produced high-quality maize flour, commanding a premium market price of UGX2,000 per kilogram. 

The facility attracts 50 to 200 farmers daily for milling services, offering high-quality flour in various bag sizes. Beyond milling, OSCA provides tractor services, employment opportunities, and has recently ventured into animal feed production, boosting the demand for maize, while enhancing Bugiri’s economic growth. Empowered by SAA, OSCA transformed into a multifaceted agricultural service provider, inspiring BAIDA to aspire to be a major export market player by investing in storage facilities and empowering local farmers. 
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Mallam Idris Umar from Swa community in the Balanga Local Government of Nigeria’s Gombe State, has transitioned from agricultural strife into a visionary farmer, inspired by training and agricultural support from the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA). 

Just last year, Umar harvested three bags of soybean from his 0.25-hectare that previously only yielded one bag. He sold the harvest for 90,000 Naira (USD117) to buy a calf that has now grown into a cow valued at 300,000 Naira (USD388). 

Pre-SAA, Umar struggled with traditional farming techniques. His path to transformation was charted early 2022, when SAA, with funding from The Nippon Foundation, set up a training program for Umar’s cooperative group, the Dilyiro MPCS Limited. The session covered Good Agricultural Practices, including optimized fertilizer application, and integrated composting into his farming practices. 

Umar implemented the lessons on his modest soybean farm, which has now transformed into a money-maker. By adopting narrower seed spacing, he enhanced air circulation and effectively minimized the threat of pests and diseases. He also learnt to compost livestock manure, a skill that now helps him to enhance the fertility of his soil and moisture retention while effectively managing waste within his property.  

Mallam Idris Umar’s story is a powerful reminder of the transformative impact that targeted training and the adoption of modern agricultural practices can have on the lives of smallholder farmers and their communities. His journey serves as inspiration to embrace innovation in driving sustainable agricultural transformation.

Abdulmumini Adamu has significantly reduced his labor costs by 85%, from NGN35,000 (USD46) to NGN5000 (USD7), since adopting minimum tillage on his quarter-hectare maize farm in the Tasha Garabi region of Nigeria’s Kano State. This shift in farming practices followed his training on Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) and Conservation Agriculture (CA) provided by the Sasakawa Africa Association. The comprehensive training covered essential topics such as minimum tillage, mulching, crop rotation, and composting. 

The advantages for Mr. Adamu extend beyond cost savings; his crop yields have surged by an impressive 50%. This boost is attributed to the enhanced soil health and moisture retention resulting from the sustainable agricultural practices recommended in the training. 

SAA’s promotion of minimum tillage aligns with its Regenerative Agriculture Pillar, part of a broader commitment to promoting sustainable and cost-effective agricultural practices. Through the integration of Conservation Agriculture and Integrated Soil Fertility Management in farmers’ activities, SAA aims to empower smallholder farmers like Adamu in achieving sustainable agricultural intensification. This approach not only improves productivity but also ensures environmental stewardship and serves as a model for sustainable farming practices in Nigeria and beyond. 

On November 2, 2023, SAA-Ethiopia kickstarted the transformative EbRACCA project, a three-year project funded by the Japan Policy and Human Resources Development Grant (PHRDG). Nestled in the Seka-chekorsa district of Oromia, this initiative aims to promote the adoption of regenerative agriculture to fortify climate resilience. The project’s inauguration brought together 35 experts and officials in a collaborative effort to elevate smallholder farmers. With a strategic emphasis on evidence-based practices and technology dissemination, EbRACCA aspires to catapult productivity and livelihoods, aiming to directly benefit over 100,000 and indirectly impact 250,000 individuals by 2025.  

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From September 12 to 15, 2023, members of IFDC, SAA, ICRISAT, and KIT Royal Tropical Institute gathered for the ISSD Sahel project’s annual retreat at the Hôtel Salam in Bamako. The primary objective of this event was to facilitate collaboration and knowledge sharing, aiming to establish a unified framework for coordinated action. The focus was on aligning and integrating implementation strategies and interventions for the project. SAA was represented by the country director, Dr. Hamado Tapsoba, M&E coordinator Abdoulaye Koureissi, and all SAA ISSD-Sahel staff based in Mali and Niger. During the retreat, consortium members deliberated to clarify and ensure a shared understanding of roles and responsibilities. The outcome was the joint development of the work plan and budget for the year 2024. Beyond the professional aspects, the retreat provided an excellent opportunity for participants to foster team spirit, engage in reflection and learning, explore new perspectives, and enjoy social moments together. The overarching theme of “one team, one approach, one message” encapsulated the spirit of unity and collaboration that characterized the event.