Download DALASI KAFO

THE ROLE OF UNIVERSITIES AND NGO’S
IN FOSTERING INNOVATIONS AND
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
OF RURAL WOMEN:
Felixtina Jonsyn-Ellis (Ph.D)
Professor of Environmental Microbiology
Njala University,
School of Environmental Sciences
P.M. BAG, FREETOWN
CLIMATE CHANGE
The grim picture painted by the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC) shows that in Africa by
2020, 75 to 250 million people will suffer
water stress exacerbated by Climate
Change and the yield of rain-fed
agriculture could decrease by 50% during
this same period in some countries
Consequences of Climate Change
 These anticipated challenges will only increase
poverty and serious vulnerability of households
which in some cases, are already experiencing
these problems; as is evident in cases where
soil fertility has been drastically reduced due to
over cropping, deforestation, overgrazing,
erosion and so forth, or where there is a lack of
firewood and potable water, women are often
forced to change the dietary practices and
standards of their families.
TOOLS TO MITIGATE CLIMATE
CHANGE
Technology and Entrepreneurship are now
recognized as the crucial tools to address
the issue of Climate change.
Technological Innovation will be essential
for enabling agriculture adapt to climate
change and therefore there must be
greater investment in the generation and
diffusion of new technologies
Strategies to over come the problem
Universities, Research Institutions and
Non-Governmental Organizations have a
pivotal role to play to promote and
enhance technological advancements and
Entrepreneurship.
For example, by providing meteorological
data, farmers could be better informed as
the optimal planting dates for their crops
EVIDENCE OF CLIMATE CHANGE
ON THE 23RD MAY 2014,large Hale
stones caused a lot of damage to people
and properties. May is the month farmers
begin to sow certain crops. Students in the
Schools of Agriculture and Environmental
Sciences respectively, have been
mandated to interview the people of Bo,
particularly the farmers to get first hand
information on the consequences of such
an occurrence
Giant Hale stones
ROLE OF UNIVERSITIES
 Conduct research on genetic resources- using
adaptive technology(breeding crops that are
known to be adapted
 Promote and encourage intensified crop
breeding
 Conduct periodic auditing of the demands of the
market and thus review curricula to reflect these
new requirements
 Reforming Science and Technological teaching
and learning
ROLE OF UNIVERSITIES
Recruitment of more research scientist
around themes such as Biotechnology
Promoting close collaboration between
other Universities and Research
Institutions
Strengthening the links between all
stakeholders (Scientists, Extentionists,
farmers etc.)
ROLE OF UNIVERSITIES
 Promoting or creating University Industry
linkages
Intensify Extension and Outreach
programmes to support small scale rural
farmers, particularly women
Investment in research incorporating local
/indigenous knowledge
ROLE OF UNIVERSITIES
Research on enhanced water supply
especially during the dry seasons/or
occurrence of drought (Harvesting of rain
water )
Maintain an active data base on events
and phenomena associated with climate
change
The Role of Universities in
promoting Agroslivopasture:
Introduction of
agrosilvopastoral systems in
undergraduate and
graduate Education
The Role of Universities in promoting Agroslivopasture:
Conduct Research on:
Soil quality to promote the growth of
grasses, trees and even animals
Suitable multipurpose trees
Suitable animal species
Availability of water; types of irrigation
systems
Socio-cultural issues such as Land
tenureship- land ownership by women
The Role of Universities in promoting
Entrepreneurship:
Introduction of Agribusiness and
Entrepreneurship courses in
undergraduate and graduate
Education

NJALA UNIVERSITY
Njala University now offers BSc.
Degree in Agribusiness jointly
accessed by local as well as
students of University of Illinois
and also jointly taught by
Professors from both Institution
NJALA UNIVERSITY
In addition, Njala University has a
policy whereby every student in their
3rd year, irrespective, of their
discipline takes a one year course in
Entrepreneurship.
NJALA UNIVERSITY
Njala University partners with private
sector groups and the latter offer
internship spaces for students
The CEO of such companies are
frequently invited as guest lecturers
during the session- to serve as role
model for students
The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations:
As the saying goes “Government alone
cannot do it”- meaning developmental
issue cannot be tackled by only one body
but through collaborative efforts. Similarly,
Universities need the support of NonGovernmental Organizations to assist in
one of its mandate “Service to the
Community/Outreach programmes”
The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations:
Assist and support the establishment of
women’s cooperatives
Identify women Entrepreneurs and
Managers within an area and encourage
them to form a “women’s chamber of
Industry and Commerce
The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations:
 Recruit local/grass root women (farmers ,
traders, processors and consumers to join these
groups of Entrepreneurs in forming an Umbrella
Organization which will enable them to address
certain pertinent issues such as:
 Land for the production of raw material for the
agro-industry
 Market creation
 Provision of inputs and technologies

The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations:
Most importantly, Training in technical
and management skills to enhance:
Sustainable agriculture
Animal husbandry
Environmental conservation
Biodiversity
Setting up of SME’s /Agric-based small
and Medium Enterprises

The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations:
Financial management/Economic
literacy in:
 Accessing credit
 Saving plans
 Writing business plans
 Feasibility studies
 Budgeting
 Pricing
 Simple book keeping
Why Universities and Non-governmental
Organizations should foster innovation and
entrepreneurship of Rural Women
Women farmers are the pillars of African
agriculture. According to the United
Nations Food and Agriculture
Organisation, over two thirds of all women
in Africa are employed in the agriculture
sector and produce nearly 90 percent of
food on the continent. They are
responsible for growing, selling, buying
and preparing food for their families
Why Universities and Non-governmental
Organizations should foster innovation and
entrepreneurship of Rural Women
Yet even as the guardians of food security,
they are still marginalised in business
relations and have minimal control over
access to resources such as land, inputs
such as improved seeds and fertilizer,
credit and technology
Why Universities and Non-governmental
Organizations should foster innovation and
entrepreneurship of Rural Women
A combination of logistical, cultural, and
economic factors, coupled with a lack of
gender statistics in the agricultural sector,
means that agricultural programs are
rarely designed with women’s needs in
mind. As a result, African women farmers
have no voice in the development of
agricultural policies designed to improve
their productivity
THE ROLE OF WOMEN SCIENTIST
It is therefore imperative of African Women
Scientist to champion the course of their
less fortunate “mothers and sisters” using
their influence and experience in their
places of employment: Universities,
Research Institutes, NGO’s and
Government to speak for the “voiceless”
How can Universities foster Innovation and
Entrepreneurship of Rural Women
A Case study of the DALASI KAFO
Women farmers in The Gambia have long
realized that “there is strength in numbers”
so in most villages, they form associations
locally called Kafo. Most development
projects are usually channeled through
these associations.
DALASI KAFO
While the concept of climate change and
global warming might be unfamiliar to
these women farmers who in most cases
are illiterate, the effect of such serious
environmental concepts are being felt by
all, particularly these grass root women
DALASI KAFO
They were therefore amenable to learn
and apply whatever measures to combat
these menacing phenomena. As such,
they showed an increasing interest in tree
planting to generate income, practice crop
diversification and more importantly to
mitigate environmental degradation and
conserve and preserve local Biodiversity
DALASI KAFO
The Principal investigator of the EUBorassus project in The Gambia, a female
African scientist, was able to identify
active women’s groups to implement the
Borassus project (www.borassus.project.net )and with subsequent funding
from the Global Environmental Fund
(GEF) assisted female farmers to practice
Biodiversity, Sustainable Agriculture, Agro
forestry
DALASI KAFO-The Objectives of the Group
Development of soil conservation
techniques
Restoration/Reforestation of the Borassus
palm
Training in Geotextile construction
Establishment of an SME in Geotextile
production
DALASI KAFO-The Objectives of the Group
Establishment of a Borassus plantation
Practicing sustainable agriculture
Practicing Agro-forestry
Poverty Reduction
Improvement of the Livelihood of women
farmers ,t heir family and the community

DALASI KAFO-Focus Group Discussions
DALASI KAFO-Soil Conservation:
The Dalasi Kafo women not only
effectively constructed Geotextile
mats from the Borassus (Rhun)
palm but were also trained in
using these mats against soil
erosion
DALASI KAFO- DISPLAY OF CONSTRUCTED GEOTEXTILE MATS
DALASI KAFO- Improving Soil Fertility
They were given practical training
on ways to improve soil texture,
quality and maintenance of soil
moisture appropriate for the types
of vegetables to be sown.
DALASI KAFO-Improving Soil Fertility
Materials from the weeded area;
cleared garden areas and rotten
leaves were dumped into 3ft deep
pits. In addition, cow dung, groundnut
shells and ashes were added until the
pit was full. It was then covered with
earth and ready for use within a year
or two.
DALASI KAFO- One of many compost pits
The Established Vegetable Gardens- Beginning of Agroforestry
DALASI KAFO-intercropped Gmelina and
Borassus seedlings with garden vegetables
DALASI KAFO-Achievements of the Vegetable
gardens
 Organically grown vegetables
Organically grown sweet pepper
Organically grown
cabbages and onions
Achievement of KAFO women
Land Acquisition for Borassus Plantation.
The women group in Kabekel successfully
negotiated and were awarded land by the
authorities in the village for the
establishment of a Borassus palm
plantation. Initially, ninety (90) Borassus
trees have already been sown with an
additional 200 envisaged on new plot of
land.
Achievement of KAFO women
Promoted sustainable agriculture and
agroforestry of the palms by
establishment of large plantations of
Borassus aethiopium in their
community to ensure adequate
supply of palm leaves for SMEs.
Achievement of KAFO women
Developed strategies to alleviate
poverty by intercropping fast-growing
tree species, fruit trees and vegetable
gardens on the Borassus plantations
to ensure alternate sources of
income.
Promoted Biodiversity and
Conservation
Achievement of KAFO women
They now operate healthy savings account
for the purchase of seeds, the
replacement of garden tools and as microcredit for members. They are now better
able to supplement their husband’s
income and to take care of school costs of
their children. With adequate supply of
fresh vegetables and a strong purchasing
power, they and their families now enjoy a
healthier life style.
Achievement of KAFO women
Encouraged the community and youths to
participate in reforestation of the Rhun
palm and to develop a sustainable farming
system by giving Added Value to farm
products through controlled:
Charcoal production
Production of Timber and building rafters
from 8yr.+ fast growing trees
Achievement of KAFO women
Provision of fodder in the dry
season for ruminants by
harvesting leaves of Gmelina
Ready suppliers of fresh
vegetables to Hotels, the
surrounding villages and for
family consumption
CONCLUSION
The Dalasi Kafo plans to extend
their farming activities to poultry
and Bee keeping in the very near
future.
They could easily be influenced to
participate in Agrosilvopastoral
systems
THANK YOU