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EDITORIAL
A former US President once said during his presidential campaign, ‘it’s the economy, stupid.’ This phrase was meant to reinforce the simple fact that what was at stake during those elections was the economy. In this issue, we will paraphrase Bill Clinton’s words and say that, ‘it’s innovation stupid.’ This issue shows how innovation has teamed up with renewable energy in Nigeria to make a difference in the farms and lives of simple Nigerian farmers. In the same vein, we lay out funding opportunities and green awards that can trigger innovation.
Happy reading!
NEWS AND ANALYSIS
NIGERIA’S QUEST TO MECHANIZE INDIGENOUS FARMING
Farming shouldn’t have to be boring, tiring and unproductive. This is the central message of Dr Mohammed Khalid Othman’s post on the importance of mechanized and indigenous farming in Nigeria.
He reveals that more than 70% of the farmers in Nigeria use hand tools for their various farm operations. Consequently, ‘it will take a 5 - man day for a highly experienced, hardworking, healthy and energetic man to weed one hectare of farm land while it take only one man - day to perform the same task with animal drawn implement.’ As such, Nigeria cannot afford to turn a blind eye on the mechanized farming that ensures timely farming practices.
Not only is mechanized farming more profitable, it also enhances food security by producing food that feeds considerably more people. Whereas a man working with hand tools in a given year can produce food for five people, farm machinery under the same circumstances would produce food for 300 people.
Since working with hand tools is widely considered as dreary and tiresome, many young people shy away from farms. On the other hand, mechanization makes farming more profitable and cooler, which then makes it a huge draw for young people. This article delves into cogent reasons why mechanization is the way to go for Nigeria and indeed Africa as a whole. It also shows how mechanization and indigenous farming can work hand in hand as opposed to being adversaries. Read more in this link: http://area-network.ning.com/profiles/blogs/farm-mechanization-trend-in-nigeria-indigenous-quasi-efforts-and
Post uploaded by Dr Mohammed Khalid Othman.
PROMOTING PARTNERSHIPS THAT DECENTRALIZE ENERGY
Although Aristotle rightfully said that, ‘the energy of the mind is the essence of life,’ this life cannot really function if we don’t have the energy to cook, light up our homes, fuel our vehicles, run our industries and perform all those critical functions that depend on energy. This is why a recent report entitled, ‘ Decentralized Renewables: The Fast Track to Energy Access,’ is quite critical.
A Post by Josef Rafalowicz digs deeper into this report and unearths some interesting facts. It highlights, ‘the opportunity cost of waiting to bring power to communities and businesses through traditional energy infrastructure; centralized grid solutions can take up to a decade to come online.’
The post provides examples of energy decentralization initiatives from Bangladesh, Senegal, Nigeria, India and Sierra Leone. By discussing such concrete energy decentralization initiatives, the report post provides readers with vital case studies that can be replicated elsewhere.
Post uploaded by Josef Rafalowicz
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES AND GREEN AWARDS
A FUND FOR SUPPORTING AFRICAN WOMEN
If you are part of, or know an African organization that works towards the empowerment of African women and the achievement of gender equality on the continent, visit this Link and submit an application to the African Women’s Development Fund. The Fund supports six thematic areas that include economic empowerment, livelihoods related to food security, agriculture and climate change.
Post uploaded by Nathalie Bertrams
EU FUNDING AFRICA’S PRIVATE SECTOR
African businesses can now partake in funding from the European Union through a Fund known as ‘Africa-EU Renewable Energy Cooperation Programme (RECP).’
Post uploaded by Nathalie Bertrams
AWARDING RENEWABLE ENERGY INITIATIVES
Do you have an outstanding project that ‘conserves and protects natural resources, and that employs renewable energy’? If yes, be sure to submit this project to the 2017 edition of the Energy Globe Award for Sustainability. Your project might just be the one to clinch the award and the 10,000 Euro cash prize that comes with the award.
Post uploaded by Nathalie Bertrams
AN AWARD FOR AFRICA’S SCIENTISTS
Science can sometimes be a thankless endeavor with long hours of research sometimes leading to rare breakthroughs and even rarer recognition. But this doesn’t have to be the case for African scientists who now have a reason to smile through the Kwame Nkrumah Scientific Awards 2016.
Post uploaded by Nathalie Bertrams
FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES IN INDIA
Fellowships are priceless opportunities for advancing ones career and professionalism. Through the CV Raman International Fellowship, African researchers can conduct collaborative research at training institutions in India. Similarly, the Idex Global Fellowships 2017 offers scholarship opportunities for young professionals that will be able to legally work in India for six months.
Applications for these two fellowships are open. More information about them can be found in the links below:
Post uploaded by Nathalie Bertrams
BRICS RESEARCH FUNDING AVAILABLE
Because it enables smart and informed action, research will always be a cornerstone of both the academia and development. Against this backdrop, the 2016 BRICS Scientific, Technological, and Innovation Framework Programme is timely and vital. It provides an opportunity for researcher across borders to network and innovate.
Post uploaded by Nathalie Bertrams
JOBS
Senior Investment Officer (Nairobi, Kenya)
There is an opening for a Senior Investment Officer in Nairobi, Kenya. The officer will work at the Financial Institutions Debt Financing for Africa.
Find out more information about the job in this link:
Greenpeace Needs YOU
Greenpeace is looking for, ‘a highly skilled Project Developer to coordinate and lead the implementation of the 100% Renewable (RE) Africa Initiative.’
More information in the link below:
Published by
ANJAN K SAMAL-MEMBER-AREA
FOR THE ASIAN CHRONICLE.
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