Category: food poverty

  • Beyond the Slide Decks: Inside dmtr’s First Workshop for Food System Startups

    Beyond the Slide Decks: Inside dmtr’s First Workshop for Food System Startups

    By Mary Mwema, Dion McDougal, Adam Steinberg, Siphosami Nyembe, Arian Ataie Across Africa and Asia, brilliant young innovators are building grassroots solutions to end hunger in their communities—tackling everything from post-harvest food waste to low farmer yields and fragile supply chains. Yet, operating in these complex contexts with limited resources can often feel deeply isolating.…

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  • Solar, Storage and Water: Transforming Food Systems Infrastructure Innovations

    Solar, Storage and Water: Transforming Food Systems Infrastructure Innovations

    By Vincent Brion Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital marketplaces and farming software are not the only tools shaping the future of agriculture. The “invisible infrastructure” that complements these tools is a reality of the future of farming. Systems for reliable energy, cold storage, irrigation, water and decentralised power networks are integral to the development of efficient…

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  • From pilot to scale: What hunger-focused startups get wrong about adoption

    From pilot to scale: What hunger-focused startups get wrong about adoption

    Lessons from agri-food system failures and successes in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia There is no shortage of innovation in hunger-focused agri-food systems. Across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), South Asia, and South East Asia (SE Asia), startups are building tools that promise higher yields, better market access, improved nutrition and climate resilience. Yet, for…

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  • Why Post-Harvest Loss Is Still One of the Highest-Impact Problems Start-ups Can Solve

    Why Post-Harvest Loss Is Still One of the Highest-Impact Problems Start-ups Can Solve

    Author: Evelyn Miria Sani Introduction Post-harvest loss (PHL) remains one of the most persistent and solvable failures in the global food system. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, an estimated 13.3% of food is lost between harvest and retail each year. Broader assessments suggest that nearly 30% of global food…

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  • The Urgent Need for Innovation in Ending Global Hunger

    The Urgent Need for Innovation in Ending Global Hunger

    The persistent issue of global food insecurity remains a challenge that demands urgent attention and multifaceted solutions. The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2023 report sheds light on the pressing need for accelerated innovation and investment in technologies to address the complex challenges causing food insecurity. This report, compiled by the…

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  • Funding the Future of Food: How AgTech is Transforming Global Food Security

    Funding the Future of Food: How AgTech is Transforming Global Food Security

    The global food system is facing unprecedented challenges. Climate change, population growth, and resource scarcity are placing immense pressure on agriculture, making innovation not just an advantage but a necessity. While advancements in technology offer a promising future for food production, the real challenge lies in ensuring these solutions are accessible, especially to the farmers…

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  • How Post-Harvest Innovation Can Revolutionize Food Systems: Insights from The Social AgTech Podcast

    How Post-Harvest Innovation Can Revolutionize Food Systems: Insights from The Social AgTech Podcast

    The latest episode of The Social AgTech Podcast dives deep into one of agriculture’s most pressing issues: post-harvest loss. Featuring William Lanier, CEO of NeverIdle Farms and Consulting Limited, the episode unpacks the systemic challenges contributing to food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa and explores innovative solutions to transform agriculture. For startups, impact investors, and changemakers…

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  • Tackling Hunger in the Philippines: Challenges and Local Innovations

    Tackling Hunger in the Philippines: Challenges and Local Innovations

    Understanding Food Insecurity in the Philippines The Philippines, a vibrant archipelago of over 110 million people, is no stranger to food insecurity. According to recent Food and Agricultual Organisation (FAO) statistics, close to 45% of the Filipino population experienced moderate or server food insecurity between 2021 and 2023, a staggering number that underscores the depth…

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  • Water: 70% of our planet but increasingly out of touch

    Water: 70% of our planet but increasingly out of touch

    With global water levels for agriculture plummeting by a staggering 20% over the past two decades, the urgency of addressing water scarcity has never been more pronounced. Amidst this crisis, the effectiveness of rainfed versus irrigated agriculture emerges as a pivotal factor in determining the fate of millions facing hunger worldwide.  Picture vast expanses of…

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  • Navigating the Depths: Understanding the Enduring Impact of Conflict on Hunger and Food Security

    Navigating the Depths: Understanding the Enduring Impact of Conflict on Hunger and Food Security

    In the intricate tapestry of the 21st century, global conflicts weave a complex narrative that extends far beyond the battlefield. Among the myriad consequences of conflict, few are as pervasive and far-reaching as its profound impact on food security and hunger levels. From the war-torn landscapes of Yemen and Ukraine to the besieged streets of…

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