Forums – Farmer Globale

Farmers at the Forefront of Climate Action – Insights from Sustainability Summit

Kofi — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 17:47:44 +0000

Farmers at the Forefront of Climate Action – Insights from Sustainability Summit 2024

At the recently concluded Sustainability Summit 2024, hosted by Fidelity Bank Ghana and Business & Financial Times, the spotlight was placed on one of the most critical issues of our time: climate change. In this discussion, Farmer Globale’s Founder and CEO, Mr. Fred Kukubor, delivered an inspiring address that highlighted the pivotal role farmers play in mitigating and adapting to the impacts of climate change. His presentation focused on three critical areas: climate-resilient technologies, incentivizing climate action, and empowering farmers through policy.

1. Climate-Resilient Technologies: Transforming the Mindset of Farmers
Mr. Kukubor began by underscoring the urgency for a mindset shift among farmers to embrace new technologies and innovations that can enhance productivity and resilience in the face of growing climate challenges. He emphasized the need for drought-resistant seeds, efficient irrigation systems, and renewable energy sources as essential tools that can help farmers adapt to erratic weather patterns and mitigate the impacts of climate extremes.

However, access to these technologies remains a significant barrier, particularly for smallholder farmers who often lack the financial resources and technical knowledge needed for implementation. According to Mr. Kukubor, overcoming this barrier is crucial for building resilience in agricultural systems and ensuring food security in vulnerable regions like Ghana. This requires both public and private sector intervention to improve access to these technologies and ensure that even the most disadvantaged farmers can benefit from their adoption.

2. Incentivizing Climate Action: The Power of Carbon Markets
One of the most thought-provoking parts of Mr. Kukubor’s presentation was his discussion on the importance of creating sustainable incentives for farmers to invest in climate mitigation measures, such as reforestation and land restoration. He pointed out the potential of carbon credit and offset markets as tools to incentivize these actions. By participating in carbon markets, farmers can not only contribute to global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also enhance their livelihoods by earning additional income.

He highlighted the significant growth in the global carbon market, which, according to Refinitiv, grew from US$261 billion in 2020 to over US$950 billion in 2023. Ghana has committed to mitigating 64 million tonnes of its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, and this will require substantial investments across different sectors, including agriculture. The World Bank estimates that maintaining climate-smart agriculture in Ghana will require around US$2 billion annually. This underscores the need for policy frameworks that encourage farmers to participate in climate action through mechanisms such as Emission Reduction Rights (ERR).

3. Empowering Farmers through Policy: Bridging the Financing Gap
In his final key point, Mr. Kukubor called for a robust policy framework that positions farmers at the center of the climate discourse. He noted that while farmers are key players in climate action, many are still underserved by current policies and lack access to the financial tools they need to make meaningful investments in climate-smart practices.

Africa’s agricultural sector faces an annual financing gap of $23 billion, with many smallholder farmers unable to access credit and other financial resources (AfDB). To address this, Mr. Kukubor emphasized the need for tailored policy interventions that provide farmers with access to credit, training, and financial support. He advocated for policies that ensure farmers are not left behind but are instead equipped with the tools they need to actively participate in and benefit from climate action.

A Call to Action
In conclusion, Mr. Fred Kukubor’s address at the Sustainability Summit 2024 brought to the forefront the indispensable role farmers play in climate change mitigation and adaptation. By leveraging climate-resilient technologies, creating sustainable incentives through carbon markets, and empowering farmers with the right policy frameworks, we can drive meaningful change and secure a more sustainable future for all.

Farmer Globale remains committed to supporting these efforts through our ongoing projects and collaborations with stakeholders in both the private and public sectors. Together, we can ensure that farmers are not just beneficiaries but also key partners in the global fight against climate change.

Farmer Globale at the 2022 Ghana Economic Forum – Insights from Our Founder on Food Security and Sustainability

Kofi — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 17:00:08 +0000

Farmer Globale at the 2022 Ghana Economic Forum – Insights from Our Founder on Food Security and Sustainability

At the heart of Ghana’s economic discourse lies the challenge of building a resilient and robust economy. Farmer Globale’s Founder and Managing Partner, Mr. Fred Kukubor, was honored to participate in the 2022 Ghana Economic Forum held at the prestigious Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel in Accra. This event, known for gathering industry leaders from various economic sectors, provides a strategic platform for critical discussions and recommendations aimed at enhancing Ghana’s economic fundamentals.

The theme for this edition of the forum, “Building a Robust & Resilient Economy through Technology, Finance, Investment, Trade, and Entrepreneurship,” set the stage for deep insights and forward-thinking solutions on how Ghana can strengthen its economic infrastructure. Mr. Kukubor took part in the important session titled, “Ensuring Food Sustainability and Security: An Analytical Overview of the Planting for Food and Jobs Policy and the Implications for Economic Growth.”

Here are some key takeaways from Mr. Kukubor’s engagement:

1. The Need for Increased Investment in Commercial Food Production
One of the critical points emphasized by Mr. Kukubor was the urgent need to scale up commercial food production. He noted that Ghana’s over-reliance on smallholder farmers, who currently produce over 80% of the country’s food, poses a challenge in meeting the growing demand for major staples. While smallholder farmers play an essential role in the agricultural sector, commercializing food production will help formalize markets, ensuring that food production is both efficient and market-responsive.

By driving investments in large-scale food production, Ghana can create more structured supply chains that meet both domestic and export demands. This shift is key to achieving food security while also contributing to the country’s macroeconomic stability.

2. Shifting from Agri-culture to Agri-business
In addition to advocating for increased commercialization, Mr. Kukubor highlighted the need for a mindset shift among smallholder farmers. Moving from a traditional “agri-culture” approach to a more business-oriented agriculture is crucial. This transformation would empower farmers to operate their farms with a clear focus on profitability, market trends, and sustainability, rather than seeing farming as a mere subsistence activity.

Farmer Globale has been at the forefront of promoting this shift through various farmer training programs, emphasizing the importance of financial literacy, market access, and technology adoption to build resilient agricultural businesses that can withstand external shocks and meet market demands.

3. The Importance of Big Data in Agribusiness
Another significant gap in Ghana’s agribusiness sector is the lack of accurate and comprehensive data. Mr. Kukubor stressed that big data and data-driven decision-making are essential for driving investments and informed policy decisions in agriculture. The current data disparity makes it challenging for both government and private sector stakeholders to plan effectively or attract investments into key agricultural value chains.

At Farmer Globale, we believe that investing in data collection and analysis will not only boost investor confidence but also help farmers improve their productivity and profitability. By embracing digital technologies and leveraging data analytics, the agricultural sector can be transformed into a more organized and investment-ready ecosystem.

Looking Ahead: A Sustainable Path for Ghana’s Agriculture
Mr. Kukubor’s participation in the 2022 Ghana Economic Forum underscored Farmer Globale’s commitment to fostering sustainable agriculture and food security in Ghana. By commercializing food production, empowering smallholder farmers, and addressing the data gap within the sector, we can collectively build an agricultural landscape that is resilient, productive, and capable of driving economic growth.

As we look toward the future, Farmer Globale will continue to champion these initiatives, working with stakeholders across the value chain to create a thriving agricultural sector that supports the developmental agenda of Ghana and contributes to the overall growth of the economy.

Celebrating Fred Kukubor’s Selection for the African German Young Leaders in Business (AGYLE) Award

Kofi — Mon, 10 Oct 2022 17:14:19 +0000

In September 2022, Farmer Globale’s Founder and Managing Partner, Mr. Fred Kukubor, achieved an exceptional milestone in his career by being selected among the top forty young business leaders from Germany and African countries to receive the prestigious African German Young Leaders in Business (AGYLE) Award. This significant recognition highlights his visionary leadership and dedication to fostering sustainable business solutions in Africa’s agricultural landscape.

About AGYLE: Building Bridges Between Africa and Germany
The AGYLE program, a joint initiative by the Agency for Business and Economic Development (AWE) and Germany – Land of Ideas, serves as a unique platform that fosters collaboration between African and German business leaders. Funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and supported by GIZ and DEG, AGYLE’s mission is to establish sustainable business networks that create long-lasting ties between Africa and Germany. By connecting innovative thinkers and entrepreneurs from both regions, AGYLE opens doors for new partnerships, ideas, and solutions that can propel businesses forward.

A Platform for Innovation and Collaboration
Fred’s selection as one of the top forty young leaders is a reflection of his entrepreneurial spirit and innovative approach to solving challenges within the agricultural sector. As the leader of Farmer Globale, Fred has been at the forefront of implementing programs that enhance sustainable agriculture, promote digitalization, and empower smallholder farmers in Ghana.

Through the AGYLE program, Fred was invited to participate in an event in Berlin, Germany, where he, along with the other distinguished leaders, engaged in a series of workshops, presentations, and networking sessions. These sessions provided invaluable exposure to innovative business models from across Africa and Germany, enabling the participants to explore new strategies for driving business growth in their respective industries.

The program also focused on fostering a sustainable business network that encourages knowledge-sharing and collaboration between African and German businesses. This platform created unique opportunities for Fred to share insights on agribusiness solutions in Ghana while learning from Germany’s expertise in technology, finance, and entrepreneurship.

A Visionary Leader for a Sustainable Future
Fred’s inclusion in this cohort of young leaders speaks volumes about his visionary leadership and dedication to sustainability. As an advocate for commercial food production and the digitalization of agriculture, Fred’s participation in the AGYLE program has further strengthened his resolve to bring transformative change to Africa’s agricultural sector.

At Farmer Globale, we are proud of Fred’s recognition and his contribution to promoting agricultural innovations that improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. His participation in AGYLE not only amplifies Farmer Globale’s work but also demonstrates how collaboration between African and German businesses can lead to impactful solutions that address global challenges.

Looking Ahead: A Stronger Network for Agricultural Development
Fred’s experience in the AGYLE program is a testament to Farmer Globale’s commitment to continuous learning, innovation, and collaboration. By building bridges with other like-minded leaders and businesses, we are confident that the insights gained from this program will help drive the next phase of Farmer Globale’s growth, expanding our reach and impact in the agribusiness space.

As we celebrate this incredible achievement, we remain focused on our mission to create a sustainable future for agriculture through innovative solutions, technology adoption, and partnerships that benefit both local and global communities.