First Cracking the Nut Africa

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

First Cracking the Nut Africa

13-15 January, 2014. Kigali, Rwanda. USAID Rwanda's Integrated Improved Livelihoods Program “Ejo Heza”, managed by Global Communities (formerly CHF International), organised its the first Cracking the Nut Africa: Improving Rural Livelihoods and Food Security conference, in conjunction with AZMJ. This event highlighted innovations in the development of rural and agricultural livelihoods, financial inclusion and increasing rural food security and nutrition in Africa.

About 400 experts in agriculture from 22 countries discussed how to advance food security through propelling the private sector to invest more in the field. 'Cracking the Nut Africa' discussions centred on how governments, donors, investors and private sector representatives, can support positive progress in rural and agricultural market development.

See Conference programme

The Conference showcased competitively selected best practices through focused themes:

Reducing Costs & Risks of Serving Rural Clients. What technologies and methodologies can be applied to reduce costs of serving rural populations with financial products (savings, loans, insurance, etc.), business development services and agricultural extension services?
Preparing for Sustainability of Future Livelihoods. What are the growth markets and skills needed for future jobs and business opportunities in the rural sector? How will globalization and innovation change the landscape for livelihoods in the future? To what extent are life skills and financial literacy important?
Enticing Investors to Key Agricultural Value Chains. Who are the most likely investors for rural and agricultural market development? How can donors and governments incentivize them to make effective long-term investments that will create jobs?

As well as high level panel discussions through related questions:

Proper Feeding of a Growing Population. How can Africans ensure they will produce enough food, of the right quality to feed their people a nutritious diet and avoid long-term negative implications of chronic food insecurity? What policies are needed to protect staple crops and rural incomes?
Facilitating Positive Behavioral Changes. What approaches and communication strategies are most effective in moving people to action? How can one convince the rural poor to commit to long-term strategies when they are faced with short-term crises?

David Weiss of Global Communities (formerly CHF International) recently sat down for an interview with Microlinks to discuss the Cracking the Nut Africa conference, a joint effort of Global Communities, USAID/Rwanda, and AZMJ.