Think Creative Fall 2024

climate smart

gases emitted into the atmosphere. Several of Trade Hub’s shea sector grantees have trans formed how they power their processes. In Tamale, Ghana, The Savannah Fruits Com pany (SFC) uses traditional methods to process hand-crafted shea butter. In the past, Ghana ian women have turned shea nuts into butter by hand using wood stoves. SFC provides its network of more than 21,000 women across West Africa with modernized equipment and stoves that increase efficiency while reducing the dependence on firewood. In an effort to reduce inhalation of airborne particulate matter among the women and eliminate the use of firewood, SFC taught these women to dry out shea byproducts and form them into briquettes as biomass fuel. These briquettes can be used instead of firewood, reducing deforestation and smoke emissions. “We do not have to deplete what we are enjoy ing today for the next generation,” says Gladys Atanga, Commercial Manager for Savannah Fruits Company. “So it’s all about keeping the environment green. At SFC, we are passionate about keeping our environment for the safety of the next generation to come.” In Togo, Label d’Or’s climate-smart shea factory was created with an emphasis on green energy. Solar panels and a mini power plant generate two-thirds of the factory’s electricity. Plus, transparent roof panels allow natural light to flood the workspace, reducing the need for artificial lighting. “It’s not just beneficial for the environment; it’s beneficial for us too, for the business, because we make economies of scale and because it goes along with today’s international demands,” says Bakoundah. Like SFC, Label d’Or also uses shea byproducts as fuel. The shea “cake” left after processing is used as a clean energy source in the factory’s boiler to create steam, eliminating the need for fossil fuels. The success of each of these environmental interventions by the Trade Hub’s partners un derscores the integral role of USAID support in fostering sustainability and climate adaptabili ty. Co-investment grants, technical assistance, and collaboration have made innovation possi ble, enabling the Trade Hub’s partners to break new ground in sustainable agriculture. n

A shea processor uses shea waste, instead of firewood, to fuel a roaster provided by The Savannah Fruits Company. Tamale, Ghana.

We do not have to deplete what we are enjoying today for the next generation. So it’s all about keeping the environment green.” - Gladys Atanga, Commercial Manager, Savannah Fruits Company “

drought-resistant cereal. Fonio’s resilience to sparse rainfall makes it a reliable crop in regions where climate variability threatens agricultural productivity. Unlike many other cereals, fonio requires no chemical fertilizers or pesticides, reducing both the environmental impact and the cost of cultivation. “The climate is one of the reasons why many crops are destroyed, especially in the northern part of this country, because of extreme heat and erratic rains,” says Salma Abdulai, AMAA TI’s CEO. “Fonio is able to withstand these bad weather conditions, whether there is flood or whether there is drought, and for that reason, when farmers are able to cultivate fonio, they become climate resilient and are able to make use of climate change-induced opportunities.” Moreover, fonio plays a crucial role in soil regeneration. Farmers can improve soil health by cultivating fonio on marginal lands and

transforming unused or degraded areas into productive farmland. “Fonio derives its nutrients six meters down the soil, so it doesn’t make use of topsoil,” Abdulai says. “Women around here don’t own land, and it’s difficult for them to access fertile lands for farming. When they get these poor soils, they will be able to cultivate fonio and then eventually regenerate the land for them to cultivate other crops, make more income and have better livelihoods.” AMAATI’s comprehensive approach includes training, plowing services, and distributing seeds to smallholder farmers, focusing on empowering women. Waste management and green energy Managing waste and harnessing alternative en ergy sources reduce the amount of greenhouse

Photo by Jim Huylebroek

24 | Think Creative | Fall 2024