Green technology is revolutionizing agriculture across Africa, creating opportunities for farmers to enhance productivity while preserving the environment. The key to leveraging these opportunities lies in learning and adopting relevant skills (click here to learn some of those necessary skills). Here are some of the best places where African farmers can gain expertise in green technology.
1. African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI) – Morocco
APNI offers research-based training programs to improve soil fertility and sustainable crop production. Its workshops focus on modern techniques like nutrient management, precision agriculture, and digital tools for soil health.
APNI collaborates with regional farming organizations to train farmers on using soil sensors, enabling them to apply fertilizers only where needed. This minimizes costs and environmental damage while boosting yields.
In areas like sub-Saharan Africa, where soil degradation is a major challenge, APNI’s focus on regenerative agriculture directly addresses sustainability and food security.
2. Farmer Training Centers (FTCs) – Ethiopia
Ethiopia’s FTCs are government-supported hubs that provide hands-on training in sustainable farming techniques, including agroforestry, water conservation, and solar-powered irrigation.
The FTCs in Oromia and Tigray regions host workshops on using solar pumps for irrigation, helping farmers mitigate water scarcity during dry seasons.
Ethiopia’s success with FTCs demonstrates how localized, affordable training programs can equip smallholder farmers with practical green tech skills that directly impact their livelihoods.
3. International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) – Nigeria and Regional Centers
IITA is a leader in agricultural innovation across Africa. Its programs focus on climate-smart agriculture, organic farming, and renewable energy solutions for rural farming communities.
The institute’s Cassava Mechanization and Agro-Processing Project has trained farmers in Nigeria on using eco-friendly machinery for cassava processing, reducing labor intensity and post-harvest losses.
As one of the continent’s largest research centers, IITA bridges the gap between scientific innovation and practical application, making it accessible to farmers in various regions.
4. Songhai Center – Benin
The Songhai Center offers an integrated approach to sustainable farming, blending traditional methods with cutting-edge green technologies. Their training programs cover biogas production, organic fertilizers, and aquaponics.
Farmers learn to use biogas generated from farm waste to power their irrigation systems, cutting reliance on fossil fuels.
Songhai’s emphasis on self-reliance and eco-friendly farming practices has become a model for replicable agricultural development across Africa.
5. Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) – Multiple Countries
AGRA partners with governments, private sectors, and NGOs to provide training in climate-resilient agriculture, precision farming, and digital tools for market access. AGRA has trained farmers on using mobile apps for weather forecasting and crop disease detection, allowing for timely interventions and better planning.
By scaling innovation across multiple countries, AGRA enables farmers to adapt to climate change and increase productivity sustainably.
6. African Centre of Excellence in Climate Smart Agriculture (ACECASA) – Rwanda
Based at the University of Rwanda, ACECASA provides graduate and short courses for farmers, extension workers, and agribusiness owners. Topics include agroecology, renewable energy, and sustainable resource management.
Smallholder farmers from Rwanda’s Northern Province learned to integrate agroforestry into their farms, improving soil quality and biodiversity. ACECASA equips farmers with advanced knowledge to combat the region’s unique challenges, like soil erosion and erratic weather.
7. Practical Action Learning Platforms – Online
Practical Action offers free online resources and webinars tailored to smallholder farmers across Africa. Topics range from sustainable irrigation methods to energy-efficient farming tools. Farmers in Zambia accessed free training on constructing energy-efficient storage units for harvested crops, reducing spoilage.
Online platforms democratize access to green tech education, ensuring even the most remote farmers can benefit.
Conclusion
Africa’s farming future lies in the adoption of green technology, and these training centers and platforms play a critical role in making that possible. By equipping farmers with the right skills, these institutions empower them to sustainably increase productivity, combat climate challenges, and unlock the continent’s agricultural potential.
