Latest news with #smallholderFarmers
Zawya
6 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Sawiris Foundation signs an MoU with AFD, Essam and May Allam Foundation, and the Louis Dreyfus Foundation to develop agricultural solutions
Cairo, Egypt: To advance innovative, climate-smart agricultural solutions that support smallholder farmers in Egypt—particularly in the governorates of Sohag and Minya—Sawiris Foundation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Essam and May Allam Foundation, and the Louis Dreyfus Foundation to launch a joint pilot project aimed at achieving this important goal. With this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), AFD, Essam and May Allam Foundation, Louis Dreyfus Foundation and The Sawiris Foundation for Social Development formalized their collaboration to tackle the significant challenges faced by smallholder farmers in rural Egypt, particularly focusing on climate vulnerability and limited credit and market access. The proposed solution is a comprehensive package of bundled agricultural services, centered around tailored credit products designed to incentivize the adoption of climate-smart inputs and practices. This approach aims to enhance farmers' resilience to climate change, leading to improved crop quality and yields. Marie-Hélène Loison, Deputy Director General of AFD, emphasized: 'AFD will provide a technical support from its Impact Evaluation Department and is proud to join forces with two major Egyptian foundations and Louis Dreyfus for its longstanding experience of projects promoting sustainable micro-farming and agricultural practices. Naguib Sawiris, Founder and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Sawiris Foundation, said: "this partnership marks a pivotal moment in our ongoing commitment to sustainable development and empowering Egyptian communities. By joining forces with AFD, Essam and May Allam Foundation, and Louis Dreyfus Foundation, we are able to expand our reach and deliver innovative, climate-smart agricultural solutions directly to small farmers in Sohag and Minya'. Laila Hosny, Executive Director of Sawiris Foundation, said: 'this initiative is a testament to our belief in collective action to drive lasting change, providing tangible pathways to increased income and economic stability for those who need it most". Robert Serpollet, General Manager of Louis Dreyfus Foundation, said: 'Together, we will work towards the shared goal of uplifting agricultural communities. This joint effort and collaboration are essential for shaping more resilient communities and a more sustainable food system'. Hassan E. Allam, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Essam and May Allam Foundation, said: 'This partnership reaffirms our commitment to advancing evidence-based solutions, a vision championed by my late father and sister which we are keen to uphold. We are proud to work alongside our distinguished partners in delivering climate-smart agricultural solutions tailored to the needs of Egypt's smallholder farmers'. Amr E. Allam, Founder and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Essam and May Allam Foundation, said: 'This project aims to improve productivity, raise incomes, and build climate resilience in Sohag and Minya—underscoring our mission to help uplift communities and break the cycle of poverty'. It is worth noting that the Memorandum of Understanding marks a significant step toward empowering smallholder farmers in Egypt through climate-smart, sustainable agriculture. By combining the strengths of all four partners, the initiative offers a scalable model to boost productivity, build climate resilience, and improve livelihoods in rural communities. The Agence Française de Développement (AFD) Group has established itself as a key player in Franco-Egyptian cooperation, working since 2006 to support the country's economic, social and environmental transitions. In response to these challenges, AFD is stepping up its efforts and in 2022 revised its strategic intervention framework to support the country in the transitions underway and respond to Egypt's specific climate change adaptation needs, gender equality or training and employment. With a portfolio of €2.3 billion (November 2023), AFD is deploying a diversified range of instruments to support the Egyptian government in its development objectives, mainly in the sustainable infrastructure sectors (energy, transport, water and sanitation), climate finance, support for the private sector and entrepreneurship, and social sectors, including social protection. Today, 55 projects are underway, contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reflecting the priorities shared by Egypt and France. They are intended to support the integration of Egyptian financial, commercial and productive systems at the regional level; to support the development of green, inclusive and efficient infrastructure; and promote equitable and sustainable local territorial development. About Sawiris Foundation: The Sawiris Foundation for Social Development (SFSD) is one of the first donor foundations in Egypt. Established in 2001 by the Sawiris family, SFSD philanthropically promotes and supports innovative solutions that target comprehensive and sustainable development in Egypt. Over the last 24 years, SFSD has addressed the most pressing issues facing marginalized Egyptians, such as poverty, unemployment, social exclusion, and limited access to quality education, by funding the delivery of programs aimed at achieving comprehensive and sustainable development, in partnership with the governmental and private sectors as well as civil society. By creating thousands of job opportunities and providing quality education and access to basic services, we have impacted the lives of approximately 1 million Egyptians. Our funded programs cover 24 Egyptian governorates, focusing on the most remote villages. With increasing global and national challenges, Sawiris Foundation developed its strategic directions while finding the most cost-effective and impactful ways to support Egypt's marginalized families and those trying to further positive social change in Egypt. By following the philosophy of effective altruism and evidence-based practices, we have launched our 2023-2028 strategy to maximize our impact in reducing multidimensional poverty and empowering agents of change in Egypt. About LDF: The Louis Dreyfus Foundation aims to promote projects in the areas of sustainable agriculture, food security and self-sufficiency, particularly through education and direct support to small-scale farmers, with a specific focus on developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. About Essam and May Allam Foundation: Founded in 2025 by the Essam Hassan Allam family to honor the legacy of a remarkable father and daughter, the Essam and May Allam Foundation (EMAF) is dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty in Egypt through evidence-based, high-impact initiatives in education and agriculture. By focusing on programs grounded in rigorous research and proven effectiveness, the Foundation ensures its efforts are scalable, sustainable, and positioned to deliver meaningful results. EMAF operates through two strategic pillars. The Essam Allam Agriculture Accelerator addresses key challenges in agricultural climate resilience, productivity, market access for smallholder farmers, and food security. The May Allam Knowledge Incubator works to improve early childhood and primary education, promote and preserve the Arabic language, conserve Middle Eastern arts and culture, and expand access to vocational training and scholarships. Through these pillars, EMAF serves as a catalyst for transformative change—bridging the gap between research and practice to drive inclusive development that empowers individuals, uplifts communities, and fosters long-term resilience across Egypt.
Zawya
6 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Sawiris Foundation signs an MoU with AFD, Essam and May Allam Foundation, and the Louis Dreyfus Foundation
Cairo, Egypt: To advance innovative, climate-smart agricultural solutions that support smallholder farmers in Egypt—particularly in the governorates of Sohag and Minya—Sawiris Foundation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Essam and May Allam Foundation, and the Louis Dreyfus Foundation to launch a joint pilot project aimed at achieving this important goal. With this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), AFD, Essam and May Allam Foundation, Louis Dreyfus Foundation and The Sawiris Foundation for Social Development formalized their collaboration to tackle the significant challenges faced by smallholder farmers in rural Egypt, particularly focusing on climate vulnerability and limited credit and market access. The proposed solution is a comprehensive package of bundled agricultural services, centered around tailored credit products designed to incentivize the adoption of climate-smart inputs and practices. This approach aims to enhance farmers' resilience to climate change, leading to improved crop quality and yields. Marie-Hélène Loison, Deputy Director General of AFD, emphasized: 'AFD will provide a technical support from its Impact Evaluation Department and is proud to join forces with two major Egyptian foundations and Louis Dreyfus for its longstanding experience of projects promoting sustainable micro-farming and agricultural practices. Naguib Sawiris, Founder and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Sawiris Foundation, said: "this partnership marks a pivotal moment in our ongoing commitment to sustainable development and empowering Egyptian communities. By joining forces with AFD, Essam and May Allam Foundation, and Louis Dreyfus Foundation, we are able to expand our reach and deliver innovative, climate-smart agricultural solutions directly to small farmers in Sohag and Minya'. Laila Hosny, Executive Director of Sawiris Foundation, said: ' this initiative is a testament to our belief in collective action to drive lasting change, providing tangible pathways to increased income and economic stability for those who need it most". Robert Serpollet, General Manager of Louis Dreyfus Foundation, said: 'Together, we will work towards the shared goal of uplifting agricultural communities. This joint effort and collaboration are essential for shaping more resilient communities and a more sustainable food system'. Hassan E. Allam, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Essam and May Allam Foundation, said: 'This partnership reaffirms our commitment to advancing evidence-based solutions, a vision championed by my late father and sister which we are keen to uphold. We are proud to work alongside our distinguished partners in delivering climate-smart agricultural solutions tailored to the needs of Egypt's smallholder farmers'. Amr E. Allam, Founder and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Essam and May Allam Foundation, said: 'This project aims to improve productivity, raise incomes, and build climate resilience in Sohag and Minya—underscoring our mission to help uplift communities and break the cycle of poverty'. It is worth noting that the Memorandum of Understanding marks a significant step toward empowering smallholder farmers in Egypt through climate-smart, sustainable agriculture. By combining the strengths of all four partners, the initiative offers a scalable model to boost productivity, build climate resilience, and improve livelihoods in rural communities. Press contacts: For AFD: Zied Ounissi ounissiz@ / Kabil Zerouali zeroualik@ For the Sawiris Foundation: Mohamed Lotfy / mlotfy@ For LDF: Ekaterina Naymark / For Essam and May Allam Foundation: Hala Samy / About Agence Française de Développement (AFD) Group The Agence Française de Développement (AFD) Group has established itself as a key player in Franco-Egyptian cooperation, working since 2006 to support the country's economic, social and environmental transitions. In response to these challenges, AFD is stepping up its efforts and in 2022 revised its strategic intervention framework to support the country in the transitions underway and respond to Egypt's specific climate change adaptation needs, gender equality or training and employment. With a portfolio of €2.3 billion (November 2023), AFD is deploying a diversified range of instruments to support the Egyptian government in its development objectives, mainly in the sustainable infrastructure sectors (energy, transport, water and sanitation), climate finance, support for the private sector and entrepreneurship, and social sectors, including social protection. Today, 55 projects are underway, contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reflecting the priorities shared by Egypt and France. They are intended to support the integration of Egyptian financial, commercial and productive systems at the regional level; to support the development of green, inclusive and efficient infrastructure; and promote equitable and sustainable local territorial development. Learn more about the AFD Group's activity in Egypt About Sawiris Foundation: The Sawiris Foundation for Social Development (SFSD) is one of the first donor foundations in Egypt. Established in 2001 by the Sawiris family, SFSD philanthropically promotes and supports innovative solutions that target comprehensive and sustainable development in Egypt. Over the last 24 years, SFSD has addressed the most pressing issues facing marginalized Egyptians, such as poverty, unemployment, social exclusion, and limited access to quality education, by funding the delivery of programs aimed at achieving comprehensive and sustainable development, in partnership with the governmental and private sectors as well as civil society. By creating thousands of job opportunities and providing quality education and access to basic services, we have impacted the lives of approximately 1 million Egyptians. Our funded programs cover 24 Egyptian governorates, focusing on the most remote villages. With increasing global and national challenges, Sawiris Foundation developed its strategic directions while finding the most cost-effective and impactful ways to support Egypt's marginalized families and those trying to further positive social change in Egypt. By following the philosophy of effective altruism and evidence-based practices, we have launched our 2023-2028 strategy to maximize our impact in reducing multidimensional poverty and empowering agents of change in Egypt. Learn more about Sawiris Foundation for Social Development About LDF: The Louis Dreyfus Foundation aims to promote projects in the areas of sustainable agriculture, food security and self-sufficiency, particularly through education and direct support to small-scale farmers, with a specific focus on developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Learn more about the Louis Dreyfus Foundation About Essam and May Allam Foundation: Founded in 2025 by the Essam Hassan Allam family to honor the legacy of a remarkable father and daughter, the Essam and May Allam Foundation (EMAF) is dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty in Egypt through evidence-based, high-impact initiatives in education and agriculture. By focusing on programs grounded in rigorous research and proven effectiveness, the Foundation ensures its efforts are scalable, sustainable, and positioned to deliver meaningful results. EMAF operates through two strategic pillars. The Essam Allam Agriculture Accelerator addresses key challenges in agricultural climate resilience, productivity, market access for smallholder farmers, and food security. The May Allam Knowledge Incubator works to improve early childhood and primary education, promote and preserve the Arabic language, conserve Middle Eastern arts and culture, and expand access to vocational training and scholarships. Through these pillars, EMAF serves as a catalyst for transformative change—bridging the gap between research and practice to drive inclusive development that empowers individuals, uplifts communities, and fosters long-term resilience across Egypt. Learn more about The Essam and May Allam Foundation
Zawya
6 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Artificial insemination a win for Zimbabwe's farmers
Zimbabwean farmer Freedom Sibanda used to sell his goats for US$30 each. Now, through crossbreeding techniques, one goat can fetch up to US$60 at market. Many smallholder farmers across Zimbabwe struggle with low livestock productivity and poverty. Traditional breeding methods often fail, leaving families with poor-quality animals and meager incomes. When Sibanda crossbred artificially inseminated goats with naturally bred goats from Zimbabwe's Matabele region, he noticed significant improvements in fertility, size, and disease resistance in the crossbred goats. 'This isn't just good for me but benefits the whole community,' he said. 'The meat quality is better and more nutritious, so my family eats healthier, and we can sell more at higher prices.' Behind this improvement is a team of researchers at Lupane State University testing low-cost reproductive technologies, including artificial insemination and crossbreeding in both poultry and goats, with early results showing striking gains. They evaluated the impact of artificial insemination on goats and poultry across a number of smallholder farms. While artificial insemination alone did not significantly outperform natural mating in goat fertility rates, both averaging around 85%, offspring resulting from crossbreeding the two lines exhibited superior performance in both size and reproductive success. Female Matabele-Boer crosses, for instance, reached up to 57.5kg, compared to just 42.3kg in purebred Matabele goats. In poultry, however, artificial insemination delivered a more dramatic result. Fertility rates jumped from 54% with natural mating to 89% with artificial insemination. Semen distribution Artificial insemination is a technique already widely used in agriculture in many other countries to improve genetic quality and productivity in cattle and poultry. In Zimbabwe, most poultry farms are owned by small-scale farmers, who typically keep one rooster with several hens. But roosters can be picky and mate only with their favorites. With artificial insemination, farmers take semen from the rooster and give it to every hen. 'Artificial insemination allows for better semen distribution, so every hen gets bred properly,' explains Fortune Jomane, the lead researcher of the project and senior lecturer at Lupane State University. 'In contrast, natural mating often faces issues, like roosters only choosing a few hens, which lowers fertility.' Extenders Jomane and his team developed special solutions that keep sperm alive longer. They used three types of extenders: a so-called 'ringer's solution' containing sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and sodium lactate; an extender with glucose, and a saline solution. They compared these to undiluted semen to assess their effectiveness. 'We found that the ringer's solution worked very well, maintaining osmotic balance, preventing dehydration, and preserving the structural integrity of the sperm while maintaining pH levels,' Jomane said. 'The extenders nourish the sperm and serve as bulking agents, helping to maintain semen quality for extended periods.' Forbes Chinyemba, senior technical officer for research management at RCZ, said 10 extension officers were trained to support farmers in using artificial insemination techniques in chickens to improve fertility rates. 'If you empower government extension officers, you empower the farmer too,' said Chinyemba. Hands-on experience Sibonangabo Sikhondze, a livestock expert from Eswatini, is convinced of the advantages of artificial insemination. He stresses the need for community training, saying farmers learn best through hands-on experience. To make the technique more accessible, Sikhondze recommends setting up local artificial insemination service centers, as well as awareness campaigns to help communities understand the advantages. Jomane says some farmers are skeptical about the effectiveness of artificial insemination, while transport issues and limited communication can also be an obstacle for remote farmers. Flooded rivers during the rainy season block access to farms and poor mobile network coverage makes it hard to contact farmers. Power shortages affect the cold storage needed to keep semen viable. Source: Artificial insemination a win for Zimbabwe's farmers
