🌍 Agriculture in Action: SAN Members on the Move (Week of July 12–18, 2025)

At the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN), we believe that change happens when diverse actors work together to create resilient food systems, regenerate ecosystems, and empower communities.

This past week, several SAN members exemplified this spirit of radical collaboration through innovative projects, capacity-building, and impactful storytelling. From pest management innovations to women’s empowerment in cotton, from nature-based education to regenerative farming workshops, our members are advancing SAN’s 2025–2030 strategic goals one story at a time.

Uganda: vibrant organic cabbage and spring onion garden at the Let's change my village farm in Noozi Village, where our member Pelum Uganda held a training on July 15.

🌾 Climate-Smart Agriculture and Resilient Food Systems

CABI sounded the alarm on the spread of Cassava Brown Streak Disease across East and Central Africa—now affecting Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and parts of DRC. Alongside this, they highlighted the vulnerability of banana crops to pests and the importance of timely pest management when prevention fails.

CORAF published their 2024 Annual Report, reaffirming a commitment to transforming agri-food systems in West Africa under volatile global conditions. They also participated on a mission to Saint-Louis, Senegal, where they supported the deployment of climate-resilient rice technologies.

The technical team worked on the monitoring of hybrid rice demonstration plots combined with intensive rice cultivation practices. They also held farmer engagement sessions and collected data.

RAAA Perú trained farmers on climate-smart composting techniques like Bocashi, introduced students to liquid fish fertilizer, and demonstrated how simple, mechanical traps can help with pest control—all empowering indigenous and rural communities to strengthen food sovereignty and resilience.

RAAA Perú works with Yachachiqs (farmer trainers) to promote community-based agroecological solutions. In the video they learn the steps to obtain compost in the Japanese technique.

🐝 Biodiversity and Ecosystem Restoration

Fundación Global Nature launched an awareness video on the consequences of indiscriminate ivermectin use, underscoring how this antiparasitic harms soil insects and disrupts vital ecosystem services. They also held their 13th Art Nature festival—blending conservation and culture in Boada de Campos.

PELUM Uganda established demonstration apiaries as part of a broader strategy to promote non-extractive, biodiversity-friendly enterprises. By training farmers to manage bees sustainably, PELUM is introducing an income-generating activity that also enhances pollination, supports food security, and strengthens ecosystem services—core principles of nature-based solutions under SAN’s strategic plan.

👩‍🌾 Women’s Empowerment and Social Inclusion

CottonConnect celebrated 10 years of its Women in Cotton program, showcasing how women farmers are leading on entrepreneurship, climate action, and community development. Their forum with Business Fights Poverty explored how cross-sector collaboration can deepen such impacts.

CORAF highlighted a youth-led poultry enterprise in Gambia that scaled from 500 to 1,000 laying hens thanks to support from the GIRAV and EU-FAO projects. Initiatives like this not only improve rural livelihoods but also support inclusive agri-entrepreneurship.

Kawral AgroPastoral Field Kafo, a youth-led agribusiness, is transforming lives through poultry farming. With initial support from an EU-FAO project and a boost from the GIRAV Project, they have emerged as a major egg supplier in the region.

🧠 Education, Capacity Building, and Youth Engagement

PELUM Uganda held multiple trainings on agroecology, participatory plant breeding, and organic farming—including a 5-day session with KHEA Multipliers in Rukiga and technical backstopping in Iganga. These efforts strengthen bottom-up approaches and enhance the knowledge systems of farming communities.

In Noozi Village, participants gathered for a 5-day training on organic farming & agroecology, which covered sustainable farming techniques, eco-friendly pest & soil management.

The Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI), supported by CORAF, welcomed students from Ernest Bai Koroma University for an educational visit to their Agricultural Technology and Innovation Park—connecting future professionals with real-world innovations.

As part of their internship program, the students the students received hands-on training in rice planting techniques, maize spacing practices and efficent fertilizer application.

Fundación Pachamama participated in the Pan-Amazonian Bioeconomy Action Forum in Leticia, Colombia—contributing to regional learning and dialogue in the lead-up to COP30.

👌We are stronger together

These activities showcase the dynamism and impact of SAN’s global network. Together, through nature-based solutions, inclusive partnerships, and farmer-centered innovation, we are building the regenerative future agriculture urgently needs.

To all our members—thank you for your continued commitment to an agriculture that nourishes our extraordinary planet. To our allies and readers—join us in supporting and sharing these powerful stories of transformation.