Walisha Foundation

Please meet Jean Claude Niyomugabo, our third agripreneur featured in the Faces of Farming series where we aim to highlight young change makers in agriculture! Below is his inspiring story: I am a dedicated agripreneur and social media influencer with over 120,000 followers who advocates for sustainable agriculture and climate adaptation in Rwanda. My journey in agriculture began at age 7, when I accompanied my parents to our maize and bean farm. We walked 20 kilometers to prepare the land, apply fertilizer, and sell our produce. Despite our efforts, the returns were minimal, shaping my understanding of farmers' challenges. In 2021, at 22, I founded Agirite, a social enterprise that utilizes digital technology and social media to connect smallholder farmers with markets, training, and financial advisory services while promoting sustainable practices. I aim to transform agriculture into a profitable and resilient sector for young people and women. Initially, I aspired to be a doctor or engineer, excelling in physics, chemistry, and biology, and gaining admission to medical school. However, seeing the struggles of rural communities, where hunger and lack of healthcare were prevalent, shifted my focus to agriculture. I realized that I could make a significant impact in my community through this field. While pursuing a BSc. in Conservation Agriculture, I noticed many engaged in farming merely to survive, lacking interest in marketing or sustainable practices. The challenges posed by climate change, such as floods and droughts, further complicated their situations. This motivated me to inspire youth, demonstrating that agriculture can be a viable career. Agirite was born from this vision. We aim to show that agriculture can be profitable while addressing climate change. We have established a demonstration farm and utilized social media to highlight agricultural opportunities, successfully engaging over 3,000 young farmers across Rwanda. Looking ahead, I envision a transformed agricultural sector in Rwanda, where smallholder farmers have improved access to markets, financial services, and sustainable practices. #farming #agriculture #rwanda #agvocate #donate #youth

🌍 From EMPA to Impact: Walisha's Journey to Feed/Nourish Africa 🌍 Join foundation cofounders Archie Annan, EMPA ‘23, and Samantha Corkern, MPA ‘23, as they share their path from classroom to causing global change. Today via Zoom 12:00pm EST Discover how two Brooks School EMPA graduates are working to transform African agriculture. We’ll learn about: 🌱Applying EMPA skills to real-world challenges 🌱Building a nonprofit from the ground up 🌱Creating sustainable impact in developing nations The Walisha Foundation’s mission is to create economic, social, and environmental value for Africa’s smallholder farmers. The Foundation supports farmers for sustainable futures through training, markets, and partnerships. Sam Corkern and Archie Annan graduated from the 2023 cohort of the Cornell Brooks School’s Executive MPA Program. Join the presentation here at 12:00pm: https://lnkd.in/eUPsDSgx #GlobalImpact #SustainableAgriculture

It's no secret that youth are the future, especially in agriculture. Check out our recent blog post on why we are placing such a big emphasis on youth in agriculture: https://lnkd.in/ead3_qkZ

Missed our recent blog post? https://buff.ly/3SvFyrN Here's a quick overview of how Walisha is revolutionizing market access for smallholder farmers in East Africa: Our Market Access Programs address critical challenges facing farmers through four key strategies: 1. Real-Time Market Intelligence: Empowering farmers with data-driven decision-making via SMS, USSD, and mobile apps. 2. Collective Strength: Fostering cooperatives and shared facilities to enhance bargaining power and minimize post-harvest losses. 3. Integrated Value Chains: Forging sustainable partnerships across the agricultural ecosystem. 4. Infrastructure Advocacy: Championing improved rural infrastructure and mechanization. Expected Outcomes: • Boosted farmer incomes • Reduced crop wastage • Enhanced market resilience • Strengthened food security • Rural economic growth We're not just cultivating crops; we're nurturing thriving agricultural markets across East Africa. Whether you're a farmer, agribusiness professional, or investor, there's a role for you in this transformation. Ready to make an impact? Let's connect and explore how you can contribute to this agricultural revolution. #AgInnovation #MarketAccess #SustainableAgriculture #EastAfricaDevelopment #FoodSecurity

We're proud to introduce Eric USENGIMANA in our Faces of Farming campaign, showcasing the next generation of agricultural innovators. Eric is at the forefront of sustainable agriculture in Rwanda, leading initiatives that promote agroecological practices. His work demonstrates the transformative power of integrating ecological principles into farming. Key Achievements: • Founder of AGRIORGANIC FARM Ltd • Pioneering research on biopesticides for staple crops • Innovative waste-to-resource projects, converting biodegradable waste to vermicompost Eric's mission is to empower youth to embrace sustainable farming, fostering a future where agriculture nurtures both people and the planet. By addressing climate change impacts and food security challenges, he believes we can create a more resilient agricultural sector. Eric's journey exemplifies the critical role of young agripreneurs in shaping the future of food systems. His commitment to organic farming and environmental sustainability is not just admirable—it's essential for our collective future. Are you inspired by Eric's work? Let's discuss how we can support more young innovators in agriculture. #SustainableAgriculture #AgTech #FoodSecurity #ClimateAction #YoungFarmers #AgricultureInnovation

At Walisha Foundation, we're committed to driving policy reforms and increasing financing for agricultural development across Africa through impactful advocacy. Here's how we're making a difference: 🌾 Mainstreaming Agricultural Priorities We engage with policymakers to elevate smallholder agriculture on national agendas, advocating for increased budgets and smart investments tailored to farmer needs. 💰 Promoting Debt Relief We champion debt relief initiatives that channel resources towards agricultural development financing, alleviating debt burdens on nations. 🌳 Enabling Environment We advocate for inclusive policies that empower smallholders by facilitating access to markets, financing, fair pricing, and farmer cooperatives. By combining advocacy with on-the-ground initiatives, we're paving the way for a food-secure Africa where resilient smallholder farmers thrive as drivers of agricultural transformation. Join us in unleashing the power of agricultural advocacy! Click the link in our bio to pledge your support today. #FoodSecurity #PolicyReform #SmallholderAgriculture #SDGs

Exciting news! 🎉 We're thrilled to announce the launch of our very first merchandise collection! After months of careful design and preparation, we're proud to unveil the initial styles from Walisha's official merch line. This release represents not just our brand, but the incredible community that has supported us along the way. Our debut collection features premium quality t-shirts, stylish hoodies, and comfortable crew necks. This merch line is more than just products – it's a way for our community to proudly display their connection to Walisha and the values we stand for. Visit https://lnkd.in/ehTxVKsi to browse the collection and be among the first to sport our new gear. Share your photos with us using #WalishaMerch for a chance to be featured on our page! Thank you for being part of our journey. Here's to making a statement, together! 💪 #NewLaunch #BrandMerch #CommunityLove #Sustainability #Bonfire

Check out our recent blog post on how we're improving market access and increasing financial literacy through our market access programs! https://lnkd.in/e-FnJaxM

Did you know? Small-scale farmers produce over 70% of the world's food, yet many struggle to sustain their families. As business professionals, we have the power to drive meaningful change. The Challenge Smallholder farmers face numerous obstacles: • Limited access to modern agricultural techniques • Insufficient tools and resources • Restricted market access The Solution Your support can break this cycle of poverty and food insecurity. For just $25 a month, you can help us Plant the Seed for a better future and provide:  • Provide crucial knowledge and training • Supply essential farming tools • Facilitate market connections Make an Impact As leaders in our respective fields, we understand the importance of sustainable solutions. By investing in smallholder farmers, we're not just feeding families—we're cultivating economic growth and global food security. Ready to make a difference? Click the link in the bio to learn more and contribute to this vital cause. Together, we can transform lives and build a more sustainable future. #AgTech #SustainableAgriculture #GlobalImpact

Have you heard the news? We’ve gained some partners to help us achieve our goal of empowering 1 million smallholder farmers by 2029! We're excited to announce our new partnerships with IMBARAGA and UNICOOPAGI, two amazing farmer co-ops, to further our mission of empowering smallholder farmers! 🤝 Through these collaborations, we will: 1️⃣ Provide comprehensive training programs to enhance farming skills and knowledge 2️⃣ Develop crucial market linkages to ensure fair prices and sustainable income for farmers 3️⃣ Implement innovative agricultural technologies to boost productivity and efficiency These partnerships represent a significant step towards our goal of transforming rural communities through agriculture. By combining our expertise with the local knowledge and networks of IMBARAGA and UNICOOPAGI, we're poised to make a lasting impact on rural prosperity. Join us in our journey to cultivate a brighter future for rural communities across Africa. Together, we can turn the potential of agriculture into tangible prosperity for all. #RuralDevelopment #AgricultureForProsperity #SmallholderFarmers #Partnerships #SustainableAgriculture #WalishaFoundation Are you interested in supporting our initiatives or learning more about our approach to rural development? Let's connect and explore how we can work together to drive positive change in rural communities.