Welcome to DIVAGRI

Revenue diversification pathways in Africa through bio-based and circular agricultural innovations

Image: Namibia

Welcome to DIVAGRI

Revenue diversification pathways in Africa through bio-based and circular agricultural innovations

Image: The International Team

Welcome to DIVAGRI

Revenue diversification pathways in Africa through bio-based and circular agricultural innovations

Image: Ejura, Ghana

Welcome to DIVAGRI

Revenue diversification pathways in Africa through bio-based and circular agricultural innovations

Image: Lake Agege, Ghana

Welcome to DIVAGRI

Revenue diversification pathways in Africa through bio-based and circular agricultural innovations

Image: Guru, Mozambique

Welcome to DIVAGRI

Revenue diversification pathways in Africa through bio-based and circular agricultural innovations

Image: Stellenbosch, South Africa

Making the transition towards circular agriculture and bioeconomy

The DIVAGRI project proposes a wide range of bio-based innovative solutions adapted to specific conditions in target countries. Ecosystem restoration in combination with diverse crop production in regenerative agricultural systems, mobile biorefineries for biomass conversion to high-value compounds and bioenergy, and the highly innovative clay-based micro-irrigation system “SLECI” (Self-regulating, Low Energy, Claybased Irrigation) are solutions developed by DIVAGRI. In addition, building on community participation and co-development of collaborative business models, the project will enable smallholder farmers to increase income and generate new economic opportunities while guaranteeing food security, real rural opportunities, and sustainability.

The focus of this project is not only on the primary production sector but also on the food and bio-based industries, thus promoting new partnerships between producers, processors, retailers and consumers and opening new sustainable avenues for businesses, services and value chains in support of rural communities.

Engage

Engage, connect and contribute to DIVAGRI, have your say as Alliance Partner, or member of the Advisory Boards, as facilitator or trainer, stay tuned and join our community.

SLECI Intercropping plot

SLECI to assist small farmers in Africa

IN many parts of Africa smallholder farmers are grappling with arid conditions and inefficient irrigation systems that are negatively affecting the growth of their crops. To address this the DIVAGRI project is testing a clay-based irrigation system called SLECI that...
Agege

Improving soil fertility with intercropping in Lake Agege

SMALL farmers at Lake Agege, Ghana are experimenting with intercropping Okra, cowpeas and Melons to improve soil fertility. Ecological intercropping is a practice of growing two or more crops together. At Lake Agege Farm the Okra, Cow Peas and Melon combination is...
Pecan pots

DIVAGRI and SUWI

Stellenbosch University Water Institute is working with small farmers in Lynedoch to co-create technologies that develop new business opportunities and value chains for their farming activities in Stellenbosch. The DIVAGRI research project forms part of a European...
Mr Thomas Koetelas

CLAY-BASED irrigation could reduce water use by more than half in semi-arid Botswana

DIVAGRI researchers from Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) are experimenting with Self-regulating, Low Energy, Clay-based Irrigation (SLECI) systems on maize to test if it is more efficient at saving water than standard drip irrigation...
Mona2

Its never too late

Small farmer Mona Stone (64) was 16 years old when she had to leave school to help support her brothers and sisters. At first she worked in the orchards and later she progressed to working in the greenhouses. In Stellenbosch she was asked to assist with setting up one...
Joe

A small farmer with a big vision

JOE Barends, the new head of a secondary cooperative in Lynedoch outside Stellenbosch called the Stellenbosch Farmer Production Support Unit, is not someone who lets the grass grow under his feet. Mr Barends facilitated the creation of the Stellenbosch Farmer...
Kwa Ndaba2

Kwa Ndaba Farmers Rate Divagri Technologies

A group of small farmers from Kwa Ndaba in KwaZulu Natal travelled to Pretoria to rate the seven bio-based technologies (BBTs) in the DIVAGRI project that are on trial at the Agricultural Research Council’s Roodeplaat campus. This follows the principles of...
Fumesua

Smallholder Farmers in Ghana Research Pigeon Pea and Maize Intercropping

SMALLHOLDER farmers in Ejura, Ghana are using their ethnobotanical knowledge of intercropping pigeon peas and maize to improve their farming productivity in the DIVAGRI research project. Intercropping is one of seven biobased technologies that the DIVAGRI research...
Gliricidia Sepium

DIVAGRI tests Gliricidia Sepium as an intercrop for Maize Farmers in Mozambique

Wonder Tree Gliricidia Sepium being researched in Guro, Mozambique DIVAGRI researchers in Guro, Manica Province – Mozambique, are experimenting with intercropping Gliricidia Sepium trees and maize to see if they can improve their farm management and overall...
Mutete cocktails

Reviving the forgotten taste of Namibia

At first sight, a small patch of land at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) Hotel School grounds does not seem striking, and yet this modest little garden has become a centre for reviving traditional culinary tastes in Namibia. It is the...