November 15, 2011

ACDI/VOCA-connected Farmers Share Experiences at Global Farmer Roundtable

Smallholder Farmers Present at Global Food Security Conference

Three ACDI/VOCA-connected farmers lent their voices and experiences to the Truth About Trade and Technology’s 2011 Global Farmer Roundtable.

The forum was held in conjunction with the 2011 World Food Prize Symposium in Des Moines, Iowa, October 11-14.

Event Brings Growers to Share Stories

Truth About Trade and Technology invites 20 farmers from around the world to the annual Global Farmer Roundtable to share their views on agriculture and related topics.

As a premier implementer of agricultural development programs ACDI/VOCA was connected with three of the farmers: Kenya’s Gilbert arap Bor, Ghana’s Anthony Botchway and Egypt’s Salah Hegazy.

Kenyan Farming Leader

Bor and his family are small-scale dairy and crop farmers in Kapsaret, Kenya. They grow maize, produce and other crops to feed their family and sell in nearby markets.

In addition, Bor is a leader in the farming community and a faculty member of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa in Eldoret, Kenya. He received the 2011 Kleckner Trade and Technology Advancement Award for his work in encouraging farmer adoption of technologies that increase food security.

“Kenyan farmers must participate in the global economy by embracing and using new technologies, including those concerned with seed development. They must not be left behind by political talk,” said Bor at the Roundtable. “They should be participating in producing enough food for their people’s consumption, among other crops that improve their economy.”

Egyptian Farmer Known for Organic Products

Salah Hegazy is described by Douglas Anderson, ACDI/VOCA’s country representative in Egypt, as “a good businessman with a real social conscience.” He works with ACDI/VOCA through the USAID-funded Agribusiness Linkages Global Development Alliance project.

Hegazy, president and owner of Agrofood Company, is well-known in his community for his organic products. He grows potatoes, sweet potatoes, asparagus, green beans, capsicum and onions for export.

Ghanaian Producer Encourages Others to Share Stories

At the event, Ghana’s Anthony Botchway said he finds it important for farmers to share their stories. He said that people need to know “who we are and what we do, so we can show how Africa can grow. I think I’m going to make a lot of noise!”

Botchway’s story is a great example of how Africa can grow—he began with half an acre and has grown this to 3,000 acres for pineapple production, including a state-of-the-art packing facility, and 400 acres for mango production. Botchway is connected to ACDI/VOCA through its USAID-funded Agricultural Development and Value Chain Enhancement project. His operation was visited this year by a delegation from GROWMARK, a member of ACDI/VOCA.

Pictured at Left: Gilbert Bor speaks after receiving the 2011 Kleckner Trade and Technology Advancement Award.