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RETHINKING AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION: WHEN THEORY STAYS ON PAPER AND FIELDS LIE EMPTY

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A Reflection for the Next Generation In recent years, a question has quietly troubled my conscience — one that, perhaps, every agricultural graduate must confront: Why do so many of us, trained in agriculture, avoid becoming farmers? As a university professor, I spent years teaching Crop Science, Soil Chemistry, Agribusiness, and Agricultural Engineering. My lectures were rooted in research, theory, and innovation. Yet, for the longest time, I never tilled a single plot of land for my own food or livelihood. It felt contradictory. While we perfected spreadsheets and soil maps in our academic halls, ordinary men and women with no university background were cultivating tonnes of food , building wealth, and quietly transforming Africa's food systems. They were not constrained by theory; they were moved by necessity, determination, and daily innovation. Meanwhile, we — the "trained" ones — drifted into jobs far removed from the field: The Crop Science graduate manag...

Comprehensive Benefits of Being a Member of Farmer’s Pride International (FPI)

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Our membership is Beyond Discounted Inputs Membership in Farmer’s Pride International (FPI) is designed to unlock sustainable wealth, enhance productivity, and provide lasting transformation for African farmers—particularly women and youth. It aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fosters climate change resilience , inclusive economies , and agricultural modernization . 1. Guaranteed Access to Domestic and Export Markets FPI works directly with local retailers, international buyers, and off-takers to guarantee a ready market for members' produce. Members benefit from: Export contracts for Moringa, potatoes, and other high-value crops Collective bulk marketing through Agriculture-Based Clusters (ABCs) Fair trade price protection Buyer connection support and compliance with organic and global standards This ensures income stability and removes the burden of finding buyers individually. 2. Exclusive Training and Capacity Building Programs Through t...

The Strategic Case for Investing in Moringa Over Hemp

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  Unlocking Africa’s Green Wealth: Prepared for African Union Member States, Ministries of Agriculture, and Strategic Development Partners Executive Summary Moringa ( Moringa oleifera ), known globally as the "Miracle Tree," holds unprecedented potential to transform Africa’s agricultural economies, combat poverty, regenerate degraded soils, and generate billions in export revenue. While hemp has captured global headlines as a sustainable crop, Moringa offers Africa a superior, low-barrier, high-impact alternative that aligns more closely with the continent's immediate needs and long-term goals. This whitepaper outlines how Moringa—if prioritized in national strategies—can create a USD 30 billion annual African export economy by 2032, making it more profitable and sustainable than hemp. It provides concrete data, country-level insights, investment needs, and a five-pillar policy action framework. I. Strategic Comparison: Moringa vs Hemp in African C...

TUTUME CLUSTER REPORT ON THE TWO-DAY MORINGA FARMING AND EXPORT PREPAREDNESS KNOWLEDGE ABD SKILLS TRANSFER

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FARMER’S PRIDE INTERNATIONAL (FPI) Hunter’s Global Network PTY LTD | Uphopia Farms In Collaboration with the Rural and Urban Agriculture Innovative Production Program (RUAIPP) Venue: Elegance English Medium Preschool, Tutume, Botswana Dates : 18th – 19th April 2025 Cluster Members in Attendance: 9 Facilitated by : Farmer’s Pride International, Hunter’s Global Network, and Uphopia Farms 1. Introduction As part of the national strategy to build Agriculture-Based Clusters (ABCs) under the Rural and Urban Agriculture Innovative Production Program (RUAIPP), Farmer’s Pride International (FPI), in partnership with Hunter’s Global Network (HGN) and Uphopia Farms, conducted a two-day Moringa Farming and Export Preparedness Training for the Tutume Cluster. This training was organized to enhance farmers’ capacity in climate-resilient Moringa cultivation, and to build a solid foundation for transitioning into export markets. The initiative aligns with Botswana Vision 2036, the National Developme...