In a bid to tackle the pressing agricultural challenges in Cabo Verde, the United Nations has partnered with China, leveraging a unique initiative known as South-South cooperation.
This collaborative effort is aimed at empowering local farmers with essential knowledge and skills to improve their farming practices and boost productivity.
Cabo Verde, an archipelago of ten islands in the central Atlantic Ocean, faces significant agricultural hurdles, particularly during its brutal dry season.
Despite its name meaning “Green Cape” in Portuguese, the country struggles with severe drought conditions and rising temperatures until the rainy season arrives in July.
Drought and Pests a Dual Threat
Water scarcity is a persistent issue for Cabo Verde’s farmers. As water reserves from the last rainy season dwindle, farmers are compelled to purchase water, severely impacting their profits.
Additionally, climate change has exacerbated soil erosion and decreased soil fertility. The rising temperatures have also made Cabo Verde a hospitable environment for various pests.
Since 2017, the fall armyworm has wreaked havoc on maize crops, while fruit flies have targeted mango harvests and tomato maggots have damaged tomato crops.
These pests pose a significant threat to the island’s agriculture, prompting Cabo Verde to seek international assistance.
A Lifeline from China
Through the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Cabo Verde requested support to combat these agricultural challenges. China responded by sharing its expertise through the FAO-China South-South Cooperation (SSC) program.
South-South cooperation involves technical partnerships among developing countries, combining the technologies and experiences of donor countries with the specific needs of host countries.
China’s contribution is particularly valuable, given its own experience with similar agricultural challenges. The rural areas of China bear a resemblance to the interior of Santiago, Cabo Verde’s largest island, making the knowledge transfer highly relevant.
Farmers like Willy and Nena from Santiago have greatly benefited from this initiative. They participated in training sessions on soil management and pest control, provided by FAO as part of the SSC program.
“It was a great help to me,” Willy shared with the UN agency. “It’s the first time I’ve taken part in a training program that talks about what we really need.”
Initially, Willy viewed soil as a mere basic input. However, under the guidance of Yanhua Zeng, a horticulture and soil expert from the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, he learned to recognize the importance of soil health.
Willy now uses goat manure and crop residues to enhance soil quality, an approach that has significantly improved his farming practices.
Empowering Farmers for Sustainable Growth
Katya Neves, Assistant FAO Representative overseeing the program in Cabo Verde, highlighted the transformative impact of the training.
“Willy mentioned that he used to buy organic fertilizer. Now he has learned how to make it himself. The money he saves can be invested in other aspects of his farm.”
Katya Neves
The training has not only benefited individual farmers but also fostered a spirit of knowledge-sharing within the community.
Since receiving the training, Willy has been actively sharing his newfound knowledge with fellow farmers, fulfilling a key objective of the project – the dissemination of expertise among local farmers.
The collaboration between Cabo Verde and China under the South-South cooperation framework serves as a model for how developing countries can support each other in addressing common challenges.
By leveraging each other’s strengths and experiences, countries in the Global South can foster sustainable development and improve the livelihoods of their populations.
This initiative not only enhances food security but also empowers local farmers to take charge of their agricultural futures.
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