How to Empower Farmers — and Nourish the Planet | Agnes Kalibata | TED

Summary

In this powerful speech, the speaker shares their personal journey from growing up on a small farm in Uganda to becoming Rwanda's Minister of Agriculture. They emphasize the transformative potential of empowering smallholder farmers, especially in the face of climate change. By providing access to better seeds, fertilizers, and markets, farmers can improve their lives and feed millions. The speaker calls for global recognition and support for farmers, urging immediate action to mitigate climate change, reduce food insecurity, and create sustainable agricultural solutions for the future.

Takeaways

• 😀 Growing up on a small farm in Uganda, the speaker’s parents were refugees from Rwanda, and the speaker’s mother played a key role in farming and feeding the family.
• 😀 Empowering smallholder farmers can significantly improve their lives, help address climate change, and contribute to better economies and food security.
• 😀 A key turning point in the speaker's life was when their mother harvested a bumper crop after planting improved seed, showing the transformative potential of agricultural innovation.
• 😀 Education and opportunities for girls in rural areas are critical, as many girls drop out of school due to financial constraints, leading to early marriages and limited opportunities.
• 😀 The speaker worked as Rwanda's Minister of Agriculture, facing challenges such as small land holdings and the aftermath of genocide, but was determined to empower farmers and improve agriculture in the country.
• 😀 The Rwandan government implemented policies to support smallholder farmers by improving access to seeds, fertilizers, and extension services, leading to a bumper harvest and substantial poverty reduction.
• 😀 Climate change poses a significant challenge to smallholder farmers, disrupting traditional farming seasons and causing unpredictable weather patterns, which increases risks for farmers.
• 😀 In response to climate change, tools such as improved seed varieties, fertilizers, climate information, and crop insurance are crucial to helping farmers adapt and thrive.
• 😀 Post-harvest loss prevention is an essential part of ensuring food security, and innovations like Purdue University's PICS bags are helping farmers store grain for longer periods.
• 😀 African farmers need better access to markets, particularly within Africa itself, to ensure they can access fair trade and participate in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for intercontinental trade.
• 😀 Empowering smallholder farmers is crucial to global food security, as they produce 70% of the food in regions like Africa and Asia, and their success can drive a more sustainable and nourished world.

Q & A

What motivated the speaker to focus on empowering smallholder farmers?

The speaker's personal experience growing up on a small farm in Uganda, where his mother worked tirelessly to feed the family, deeply motivated him. Witnessing the impact of improved agricultural practices on his own family, especially his mother’s success after receiving better seeds, sparked his desire to empower smallholder farmers and provide more opportunities for people, particularly girls, in rural areas.

How did the speaker's mother's farming success influence his approach to agriculture?

The speaker's mother’s success with improved seed varieties, where she went from harvesting three bags to ten, showed him firsthand the power of agricultural innovation. This experience motivated him to think bigger, realizing that empowering one person, like his mother, could have a broader impact on entire communities and lead to economic improvements.

What were some of the challenges the speaker faced as Rwanda's Minister of Agriculture?

As Minister of Agriculture in Rwanda, the speaker faced significant challenges, including small land holdings, mountainous terrain, and a population recovering from the aftermath of genocide. The farming landscape was difficult, and there were issues such as lack of resources, inconsistent access to fertilizers and seeds, and limited storage and market systems.

What policy changes did the speaker implement in Rwanda to empower farmers?

The speaker and his team focused on land consolidation to maximize farming efficiency. They implemented policies that ensured farmers had access to seeds, fertilizers, and extension services. The government also worked to synchronize farming practices to increase productivity and reduce inefficiencies.

How did climate change affect agriculture in Rwanda and the speaker's work?

Climate change became a growing threat, leading to unpredictable weather patterns, including delayed rains and early stoppages, which severely impacted crop yields. The speaker recalls the anxiety of not knowing how to help farmers during these unpredictable seasons, highlighting the challenges of maintaining agricultural productivity under changing climate conditions.

What solutions did the speaker suggest for combating the effects of climate change on farming?

The speaker suggests multiple solutions, including providing farmers with access to drought-resistant seeds, fertilizers that require less water, and climate-smart farming practices. He also advocates for better crop insurance, early warning systems, and soil health information, all of which would help farmers plan their crops and mitigate the impact of climate-related disasters.

Why does the speaker believe smallholder farmers are crucial to feeding the world?

The speaker argues that smallholder farmers, particularly in Africa and Asia, are the backbone of global food production, growing 70% of the food consumed. Empowering these farmers is key to ensuring food security, reducing poverty, and promoting sustainable development.

What role does the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) play in supporting smallholder farmers?

The speaker highlights the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a potential game-changer for smallholder farmers. By facilitating intra-Africa trade, AfCFTA can help farmers access broader markets, reduce dependence on foreign imports, and allow African countries to better utilize their agricultural production.

What lessons did the speaker learn from Rwanda’s agricultural transformation?

The speaker learned that when smallholder farmers have access to the right resources—like improved seeds, fertilizers, and proper market access—the results can be transformative. Rwanda's success in increasing agricultural productivity and reducing poverty through these efforts showed the importance of providing holistic support to farmers.

How does the speaker view the role of farmers in protecting the environment?

The speaker sees farmers as the best custodians of the planet. They understand the land and its cycles because it is directly tied to their livelihoods. By empowering farmers, they can help protect the environment and promote sustainable land use practices, as they are the ones who interact most closely with the earth.