Women leading the Liberia's agriculture. (Image credit: Adobe Stock)

In 2022, UN Women Liberia, in partnership with the Orange Foundation, started the ‘Digital Inclusion for Women’s Economic Empowerment (D4WEE)’ project

The goal was to help rural women farmers in Bong and Nimba Counties connect with the formal financial system and access disaster risk reduction resources. Significant progress has been made, such as integrating 15 women-led Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) into the formal financial system. This has benefitted 400 women farmers who now have mobile phones and bank accounts, with plans to connect these to Orange Money mobile wallets for better business support.

“By enabling these women to become community-based facilitators, we’re enhancing their income-generating activities through both traditional and digital innovations,” stated Aisha Kolubah, national programme officer for Women Economic Empowerment at UN Women Liberia.

The project introduced a social protection scheme allowing VSLAs members to save, borrow, and invest digitally, enhancing their financial security. In August 2024, a four-day Training of Trainers (TOT) workshop was held in Monrovia for 22 women-led farming cooperatives, focusing on digital literacy skills and market access. Participants learned about digital marketing, social media use, and financial management with digital tools, leading to exciting opportunities for their businesses.

This training empowers women to share knowledge in their communities, promoting economic growth across rural areas. Continued collaboration among UN Women, CBL, and the Orange Foundation aims to create more opportunities for women through digital technology.

“We are pleased with this new way of handling our Village Savings and Loan Association group. Going digital with our savings and loans has made things simpler and safer for us. Now, we can keep an eye on our money and loans using our phones. It’s made everything clearer and smoother for us,” says Diana Davis, community-based facilitator at Liberia Rural Women Network Empowerment Incorporated.

Liberia, China to mechanise agriculture. (Image source; Adobe Stock)

Chinese Ambassador to Liberia, Yin Chengwu, recently met with J Alexander Nuetah, Minister of Agriculture of Liberia

Chengwu emphasised the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators stand on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, and expressed that China is willing to strengthen agricultural cooperation between the two countries, deepening the bilateral relations.

Nuetah said that Liberia is grateful to China for its strong support for Liberia's development and looks forward to continuing to strengthen cooperation with China on agricultural mechanisation and modernisation.

Uganda hopes to massively grow exports

Uganda’s Minister of State for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Bwino Fred Kyakulaga, has underlined the nation’s commitment to massively boost exports on the back of its coffee and agricultural sector

“Uganda reaffirms its ambitious commitment to transform its export trajectory — from US$50bn to US$500bn — through strategic value addition,” the Minister noted at an industry event.

African growers, including Uganda, are taking part in the Specialty Coffee Association’s World of Coffee, Europe’s largest coffee trade show, taking place this year in Geneva.

“Coffee will be one of the primary drivers for achieving this target, reinforcing not only our economic competitiveness but also our national transformation agenda,” said Kyakulaga.

There are also confirmed plans to add greater value to coffee exports in order to further generate income for growers and the nation.

“Additionally, the Government of Uganda has set aside US$100mn to support investment in the gradual transition of the coffee sector from green bean export to both green bean and soluble coffee exports in a bid to generate more revenue and income for the farmers and the country as a whole,” the Minister noted.

The International Trade Centre (ITC) is also showcasing its longstanding leadership in sustainable coffee development at the Geneva trade show with a focus on investing in value addition, technical capacity building and regional trade.

For over two decades, it has worked with the International Coffee Organisation and regional institutions to support coffee value chains and SMEs across Africa and elsewhere.

In separate meetings, Ugandan officials explored the possibility of a partnership with ITC focusing on value addition through science and technology transfer for sustainably increased coffee processing production.

“Coffee is more than a commodity,” said ITC executive director Pamela Coke-Hamilton.

“For the many small businesses we support in countries across the world, the ability to improve the quality of their beans, process at origin and meet sustainability requirements in the face of rising climate concerns means they’re able to adapt to changes to tap into new markets and compete at the global level."

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Crop farmers use Atlas Copco’s U190 PACE portable air compressors. (Image credit)

Crop farmers in South Africa are improving equipment maintenance and reducing risks with the help of Atlas Copco’s U190 PACE portable air compressors

These compact and rugged units are supporting smart farming by cutting input costs and extending the life of agricultural machinery through effective and regular cleaning.

Used on farms in the Bethlehem district of the Free State province, the U190 PACE has been praised for its manoeuvrability and ease of use. Its lightweight design allows it to be easily transported across rough terrain using a trailer, light delivery vehicle or forklift, making it ideal for field use.

Farmlands often present challenging environments, with dust, mud, plant debris and stones threatening the functionality of machinery. Equipment like diesel engines and coolers can become clogged, increasing the risk of overheating and fire. Daily cleaning using compressed air significantly reduces this risk and helps ensure equipment remains in peak condition. It also protects farmers from potential insurance claim rejections due to poor maintenance.

For crops like maize and sunflower, where dust is highly flammable, cleaning sometimes takes place twice a day. With farms often covering over 5,000 hectares, bringing machinery back to workshops for cleaning is inefficient. Instead, taking the U190 PACE compressor to the field is both practical and cost-effective.

The compressor is used with a 30-meter hose and blower pipe to remove built-up dust and debris from machines such as harvesters, balers, and tractors. This not only extends machinery life but also improves safety and reduces total operational costs.

Equipped with PACE (Pressure Adjusted through Cognitive Electronics) technology, the U190 PACE allows farmers to adjust pressure settings based on the task at hand. Beyond cleaning, the compressor can be used for inflating tires, sandblasting and operating pneumatic tools.

Chantal Jonker, operational manager at JR Compressors & Industrial Supplies (Pty) Ltd, noted that the compressor’s portability and performance have added immense value for South African farmers.

“It’s not just about cleaning, it’s about protecting investments, improving safety, and keeping operations running efficiently no matter how remote the location,” said Jonker.

The U190 PACE is proving to be a vital tool, supporting more efficient and safer farming practices across the country.