News

An amazing experience!

Written by Maike Looman, intern Agriterra

From August to November, I conducted an internship in Kenya for Agriterra. The goal of this internship was to increase the uptake of bio-solutions production and sales for 4 coffee cooperatives located in Kericho county by creating specific marketing strategies for each cooperative. In this blog I will share my experiences.

The story of Nghia Binh sticky rice

In the heart of Nam Dinh Province, Northern Vietnam, lies a story of agricultural innovation and sustainability, as Nghia Binh Agricultural Cooperative (NBAC) takes bold steps to revive the quality of one of its most prized products: Nghia Binh sticky rice (Nep Cai Hoa Vang). The journey of this rice variety from its historical excellence to overcoming modern-day challenges highlights the intersection of tradition, climate resilience, and environmental stewardship.

Dutch Expertise on Rwandan Farmlands

Gertjan van Dueren den Hollander applies his experience as a Dutch arable farmer to support farmers in Rwanda in improving potato cultivation. Through practical recommendations, such as crop rotation and soil improvement, he helps farmers increase their yields and makes agriculture more sustainable. However, the challenges in Rwanda are significant, particularly due to the lack of land ownership and fertiliser availability.

Merging for a Better Dairy Sector

The Story of Torban Burka Ashe Primary Dairy Cooperative

Written by Seifu Bogale, Cooperative Advisor in Ethiopia

A Journey Towards Sustainable Farming

Nzabandora Jean Damascene, a 53-year-old father of seven from Jyambere Muhinzi Kinoni Cooperative in Burera District, Northern Rwanda, has a remarkable journey in farming. He started farming at the age of 23, worked hard but often struggled, like many farmers in his village. "We thought we knew what we were doing," Jean Damascene recalls, "We believed that using more fertilizers and pesticides would bring us bigger harvests." But year after year, he found himself investing more than he was earning, battling poor yields and rising costs. 

Keeping hope alive

The true definition of youth councils in Uganda is the story of keeping hope alive. This hope is based on the desire for financial emancipation through group enterprises and having a platform for engagement in cooperative activities. Because of this hope, triggered by the Agriterra intervention, the youth have begun demanding their rightful position in cooperatives, which are definitely at the centre of innovation and progress. The Youth Councils have influenced their way into the cooperative leadership especially having representation on the Board of Directors (BODs).