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The backstreets of Koudougou after rain. Photo: Sean Christie

Heavy weather and the mind of the West African farmer

A growing body of evidence suggests that unpredictable weather linked to climate change has the potential to injure people’s minds, leading to an increase in the development of…

Threats: Cultivated fields were affected by erratic weather patterns during the rainy season in the central district of Lilongwe, Malawi, in January this year. Photo: Contigo/Getty Images

Climate financing crucial for Malawi’s agricultural sector

Investments must prioritise climate-resilient infrastructure and climate-smart practices in predominantly subsistence-farming countries

This group of women from Tindiret sub-county in Kenya’s Nandi county crush stones (predominantly men’s work) to raise school fees for their children. (Tom Matoke/Nation Media Group)

Kenyan women are crushing stones — and stereotypes

Crushing stones is seen as ‘men’s work’. But an all-women gravel-making group in Sarwat Village is turning both stones and stereotypes into ashes

The Federation of Governing Bodies of South African Schools (Fedsas), has hit out at the ban. (File photo/MG)

Some African countries are choosing livelihoods over lockdowns

The methods that work in Western nations rarely translate into African contexts

‘I believe the land thing will happen organically if we start talking about what we’re going to do with it.’

Slice of life: The land is ours – let’s work it

There is a lot of red tape when applying for a piece of farmland but I don’t think there is anything really stopping us from getting in there

(Reuters)

Stripped of their brick home, living in a mud house

Zambia’s government should protect families evicted to make way for commercial farms

​Plenty of maize, but not a grain to eat: How small farmers went hungry in Limpopo

Small-scale farmers nearly starved while a Limpopo milling giant fought to stay afloat.

Small family-run farms can help the African economy grow.

Empower ‘subsistence farmers’ to become profitable businesses

Agriculture is poised to drive a new era of inclusive economic growth for Africa – if smallholder farmers are given the tools to generate income.

How to grow communal land use

Subsistence farmers should be helped to increase yields and find profitable markets, says researcher.

Subsistence to cyberspace

A rural Zimbabwean grandmother, Lizzy Mazorodze-Munetsi, first encountered a computer a few months ago and tells the story of her life.

A lively rate of exchange

Pius Sawa visits the West Nile region to see how a good bean harvest or a goat can cover the school fees without money changing hands.