By Samuel Ouma
The transformation of Africa’s agricultural landscape has been a recurring theme at TICAD 9, and Pan African Visions recently had the exclusive opportunity to sit down with Mr. Shuichi Suzuki, President of the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA). During the summit, held from August 20–22 in Yokohama, Japan, Mr. Suzuki shared insights on how innovation, capacity building, and inclusive partnerships are empowering smallholder farmers and shaping resilient food systems across Africa.
How does SAA’s mission to empower smallholder farmers fit into the broader goals and agenda of TICAD 9?
Since its founding in 1986 by former President Jimmy Carter, Nobel Laureate Dr. Norman Borlaug, and Mr. Ryoichi Sasakawa, SAA has spent nearly 40 years strengthening agricultural extension and human capacity across Africa. In collaboration with 31 universities, Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) has enabled more than 9,500 mid-career extension agents to obtain academic degrees. Combined with field-oriented technology transfer interventions, these efforts have reached millions of farmers across 16 countries. Today, we are also supporting the African Union’s Soil Initiative for Africa (SIA) to restore soil fertility, a foundation for resilient food systems.
At TICAD 9, SAA organized a side event on soil fertility and regenerative agriculture with leading African institutions driving the SIA, including FARA and AFAAS. The event provided a rare platform in Japan for African and Japanese stakeholders to exchange perspectives on soil health as a foundation for food systems transformation. It was also attended by Japan’s Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Mr. Shinjiro Koizumi, reflecting the importance TICAD attaches to Africa–Japan collaboration in agriculture. These efforts align with TICAD 9’s focus on inclusive development, resilient societies, and sustainable growth, and also with CAADP Kamapala Declaration, Agenda 2063 and the SDGs, which emphasize “leaving no one behind.”
What innovative approaches centered around farmers has SAA implemented recently, and how have these changes boosted productivity and resilience for Smallholder farmers?
SAA promotes farmer-led innovations across our countries of operation (Ethiopia, Nigeria, Mali, Uganda). In Ethiopia, nearly 11,000 farmers and 1,000 extension agents were trained in regenerative and nutrition-sensitive practices using farmer learning platforms, demonstration plots and permagardens. In Nigeria, integrated soil fertility management reduced labor costs and doubled yields. In Mali, women farmers preserved maize with hermetic storage bags, while in Uganda, youth cooperatives introduced solar irrigation and mechanization. These initiatives reflect SAA’s long-standing emphasis on combining practical innovation with human capacity development to raise productivity and resilience.
With climate change posing a significant threat to agriculture in Africa, how is SAA assisting farmers in adopting climate-smart practices on a larger scale?
SAA takes a multi-pronged approach: through drought-tolerant seeds, composting, permagardens, minimum tillage, and agroforestry. In Mali, agroforestry and resilient crops buffer erratic rainfall; in Nigeria, soil fertility management enhances productivity. These solutions are scaled through extension agents, digital tools like the Talking Book, and Farmer Learning Platforms. Alongside climate change, rising fertilizer prices also threaten farmers’ livelihoods. By promoting local composting and integrated soil fertility management, we help reduce dependency on expensive inputs while strengthening climate resilience.
Given that women represent the majority of smallholder farmers in Africa, what specific strategies is SAA putting in place to ensure that women farmers are fully included and benefit equally?
Gender equity is embedded across all SAA programs. In Ethiopia, more than 4,000 women joined trainings in 2024. For example, In Uganda, the Bala Women and Youth Cooperative provide women with access to mechanization, solar irrigation, and agro-input shops. In February 2024, SAA launched Gender Champions Training in Kampala to strengthen staff capacity in gender-transformative programming. These efforts build on our long-standing approach of empowering extension agents and community leaders, ensuring women benefit equally as farmers, leaders, and entrepreneurs.
Recognizing that agriculture often doesn’t appeal to young people, how is SAA working to make farming an attractive and rewarding career option for young Africans?
At SAA, we believe agriculture must be redefined as a modern, profitable, and service-oriented sector to attract youth. Our strategy positions young people as agro-dealers, mechanization service providers, and digital facilitators. In Uganda, youth cooperatives run agro-input shops, solar irrigation, and processing services. In Nigeria, youth provide threshing and spraying operations. In Ethiopia and Mali, young people are trained as agro-dealers and mechanization service providers. By working with governments and the private sector, SAA expands opportunities for youth to build agribusiness careers, turning agriculture into a future-oriented and dynamic field.
Post-harvest losses are still a major issue across Africa. Can you share some effective post-harvest solutions that SAA has introduced to farmers and the impact they’ve had?
Post-harvest loss reduction is a cornerstone of our work. We introduced hermetic storage bags, mechanized threshing and shelling, solar drying, and quality control training. These solutions preserve food safely, increase market value, and strengthen food security, while also reducing drudgery for women and youth.
What role do public-private partnerships play in reshaping Africa’s food systems, and how has SAA utilized these collaborations to create meaningful change?
Public-private partnerships are central to SAA’s mission. In 2024, we expanded collaborations with governments, NGOs, private actors, and donors to scale innovations. For example, with the African Development Bank and Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we advanced regenerative agriculture and post-harvest management in Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Benin. In Nigeria, partnerships with AGRA, the Islamic Development Bank, and the Kano State Government strengthened productivity and value chains. Through our Private Service provision (PSP) model, youth and entrepreneurs offer mechanization and digital services sustainably, linking farmers to markets.
How is SAA helping smallholder farmers in remote areas gain access to modern technologies—like mechanization, improved seeds, or digital tools?
SAA prioritizes last-mile delivery by strengthening local extension systems and human capacity. In Nigeria, the Kano State Agro Pastoral Development Project (KSADP) improved access to certified seeds, climate-resilient production technologies, and post-harvest equipment. In Ethiopia, more than 500 farmers used the Talking Book, an offline tool delivering extension content in local languages. In Uganda, One-Stop Center Associations (OSCAs) provide seeds, irrigation, mechanization, and market linkages in one hub. By empowering community-based agro-dealers and service providers, we ensure modern technologies are accessible, affordable, and farmer-owned.
Could you share a success story from one of these nations that showcases SAA’s broader impact?
In Uganda, Caroline Adong, a rice and soybean farmer, transformed her life after SAA training. She earned over USD 520 in one season, invested in a milling machine, became a certified NERICA rice variety seed multiplier, and now runs her own agro-input store. Her success has inspired other women in her community, showing how knowledge and support can drive lasting change.
How is SAA assisting smallholder farmers in building resilience not only against climate change but also against market shocks and global crises like COVID-19 or rising food prices?
We strengthen resilience through diversification, value addition, and local capacity building. During COVID-19, we shifted to digital platforms for training and market linkage. Farmers are encouraged to diversify crops, improve on-farm storage, and engage in local markets. Community savings groups and processing hubs provide financial cushions against shocks.
How is SAA helping farmers access markets and secure better income for their crops?
We support farmers to form farmer association cooperatives, which they leverage on to improve quality of the produce, and access finance. Additionally, training in market-oriented production, value addition, and financial literacy equips them to compete commercially. This combined with partnerships with traders, processors and exporters, and connecting farmers directly with markets, has helped raise incomes and livelihoods.
How has the support from Japan influenced SAA’s strategies and success stories over the past thirty years?
Support from Japan—particularly the 40 years of support from The Nippon Foundation and, in recent years, the assistance from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs—has been indispensable. In addition, in 2024, with the support of the Ministry of Finance, we partnered with the African Development Bank to advance regenerative agriculture, post-harvest management, and private sector development in Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Benin. Japan has also promoted South-South cooperation, facilitating the sharing of knowledge and technology. These partnerships have expanded farmer-centered innovations and strengthened SAA’s impact across Africa.
What specific indicators or metrics does SAA rely on to assess the long-term effects of its programs?
We measure both quantitative and qualitative indicators: yield and income changes, post-harvest loss reduction, adoption rates, access to inputs and markets, youth and women inclusion, cooperative capacity, nutrition outcomes, and soil health improvements.
As we look to the future, what are SAA’s main goals for expanding farmer-focused innovations across more African countries?
Our future lies in scaling what works. We plan to replicate integrated models—such as OSCAs, permagardens, and digital extension tools—across new geographies. We will deepen youth and women engagement, strengthen regenerative systems, and expand partnerships with universities and the private sector to ensure innovations are inclusive, resilient, and market ready.
As the President of SAA, what fuels your passion for this mission, and what message would you like to convey to African farmers and leaders at TICAD 9 ?
What inspires me is seeing transformation—from food insecurity to self-sufficiency, from marginalization to leadership. Farmers like Mamadou in Mali, who said, “rice is no longer a luxury but a staple,” and Caroline in Uganda reminds us that change is possible.
I was also encouraged at TICAD 9, where our side event on soil fertility brought African and Japanese leaders together to highlight farmers’ central role in building resilient food systems.
To leaders: invest in your farmers, especially youth and women—they are the backbone of your economies and the stewards of your ecosystems.
To farmers: your resilience inspires us. At SAA, we walk with you on your journey from subsistence to success.
