AHA International

This week in Uganda, our trainer Jasmin Sani is working with the Uganda National Farmers Federation (UNFEE) to further develop the National Agricultural Show and the National Agricultural Education Show.

Both events are key platforms for practical farming, policy dialogue, and youth engagement, while it is at the same time an important source of income for UNFFE 📈.

Together with various stakeholders, the team is reflecting on the 2025 shows and looking ahead: What worked particularly well? What inspired visitors and exhibitors? And how can we make both events even stronger and more impactful in the future? 💡

The workshops clearly showed the strong commitment of the UNFFE team 💪 and the openness of exhibitors and partners to shape the next steps together. In-depth discussions with private sector representatives are also providing valuable insights into activities and needs on the ground, laying the foundation for even closer collaboration and continuous improvement 🌍. Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ)

🌍 Leadership across borders!
Meet Pratap Marode from India 🇮🇳.

Pratap is a member of INOFO , the global network of organic farmers. Being an aspiring organic farmer with aspirations to leave an impact, he was one of the four participants nominated by the Andreas Hermes Akademie for the "International Leadership Workshop for Rural Youth" by the Bundesministerium für Landwirtschaft, Ernährung und Heimat - BMLEH

For Pratap, the diversity of 82 participants from 59 countries was the most inspiring part of the workshop. He learned how important resilience, teamwork, and equal participation are — not only for himself as a farmer, but also for his organization INOFO and the future of agriculture. 🌱

Back home, Pratap is already putting his learnings into action: by strengthening dialogue within his farmer community and advancing the Indigenous Cotton Ecosystem project to create real impact for farmers in Vidarbha and beyond. 💪👩‍🌾

We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Haus der bayerischen Landwirtschaft in Herrsching (Bavaria) — the central education and conference centre of the Bavarian Farmers’ Association. For many years, this unique place by Lake Ammersee has been at the heart of the International Leadership Workshop for Rural Youth, offering not only an inspiring learning environment, but also playing a key role in the seamless organization and success of the program. 🌿

➡️ Swipe through the pictures to read Pratap’s full reflections from the workshop!

After three successful years of collaboration with AHA, Nkoka Women In Agro Business (NWAB) Chair Elly Mwale visited us in Berlin last week to participate in the GIZ,German International Cooperation and conference.

She contributed for NWAB with insights on land rights and policy in Zambia and met partners from the AHA network: Mviwaarusha and , The German Agribusiness Alliance , and the Women Council of the German Farmers Association .

These meetings sparked innovative ideas for NWAB to drive the agri-food system transformation in and for its members. We look forward to developing them further!

Sourdough Camp 2025 – Young Voices for the Future of Agriculture 🌾🌍

Ahead of the international PeaceBread Conference in Szarvas, Hungary, 15 young people from the agricultural sector across seven Eastern European countries came together for the very first Sourdough C(h)amp.

Under the overarching theme “The Future Balance between Food Sovereignty and Sustainability,” they exchanged experiences, perspectives, and ideas with impressive results!

They presented their insights and visions to the wider civil society network of PeaceBread and engaged in inspiring discussions with the participants.

We are truly impressed by the energy, commitment, and openness of this first group — and we’re excited to see what will emerge over the next day and a half of the conference and in the months to come. 🌱🤝

A heartfelt thank-you to our wonderful photographer, Christian Horn, for capturing these great moments!

🌍✨ African Food System Forum 2025 – Leading Collaboration, Innovation, and the Implementation of Agri-Food Systems Transformation

From 1–4 September, we joint the African Food System Forum in Dakar – one of the leading platforms to advance a broad dialogue and action for sustainable food systems and food security across the African continent.

🤝 We are grateful for the many valuable encounters – both with new partners and with long-standing friends. Among them: AJAM, FANRPAN, Pan African Farmers Organisation, Roppa, Propac- Plateforme Regionale des Organisations Paysannes d'Afrique Centrale, Eastern Africa Farmers Federation, SACAU, Union Maghrébine et Nord Africaine des Agriculteurs, GIZ,German International Cooperation, AgriCord, the German Embassy, and many more. Each exchange enriched our vision and strengthened our joint commitment.

A true highlight: the dinner with the inspiring Senegalese national platform CNCR – a powerful reminder of what strong collaboration can achieve.

We return from Dakar motivated and inspired to continue strengthening farmers’ organizations, young leaders, women agripreneurs and many more across the agri-food sector for them to build sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food systems across Africa and beyond. 🌱💪

🌍 It’s been two weeks since our inspiring evening with the international trainers of the Andreas Hermes Akademie!

Together with social media expert Conny Hanke, we took a deep dive into how social media can boost the visibility and impact of trainers. 🚀

One key takeaway: Growing and nurturing your network also works online and is more important than ever—across borders. By purposefully using the right platforms, we can strengthen relationships, make valuable connections, and increase awareness of our work. 💡



Many thanks to Conny Hanke for this inspiring session!

🌱 Fresh momentum at NWAB Nkoka Women In Agro Business in Zambia!

During our recent workshop, the team worked together to set strategic priorities for the next 12 months, focusing on key areas like strengthening programs for women in agriculture, improving organizational processes, and planning upcoming initiatives.

The handover of tasks to the new Executive Director marked an important milestone. With her ideas, leadership, and commitment, NWAB is ready for an exciting new chapter! 💪✨

this Project ist funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ)

🌍 United Voices from Agriculture: G7 Farm Leaders Release Joint Statement

As part of the G7 summit, the national farmers’ associations of the G7 countries have published a joint declaration. Their message is clear: agriculture must remain a strategic sector in the face of global crises, food security challenges and environmental change.

Key demands include:

✔ Transparent, rules-based trade for stability and market access
✔ Innovation and equal access to new technologies
✔ Modern, efficient regulations for competitive agriculture
✔ Science-based climate policies that support soil health and resilience

Read the full statement here 👉
🔗https://www.bauernverband.de/fileadmin/user_upload/dbv/pressemitteilungen/2025/KW_25/Joint_Press_Release_by_G7_Farm_Group_Leaders_-_2025-06-13.pdf

Die Deutschen Bauern

www.bauernverband.de

🌱Strong agriculture through international cooperation 🌍

Strengthening farming communities and rural areas in less developed countries is no longer a priority for many governments. This does little to change the need for those affected. 13 members of AgriCord developed solutions at this year's annual meeting in Montreal.

➡The situation: Many industrialized countries such as Germany are significantly reducing their funding for development cooperation, the USA completely terminated their engagements. This change happens with a shift towards coupling development cooperation to domestic intrests and other policy areas.

AHA Andreas Hermes Akademie has been supporting farmers' organizations in Africa and India for over ten years and for ten years the AHA has been a member of AgriCord, the international alliance of institutions founded and mandated by farmers' organizations to help other farmers' organizations in their development.

✨We remain committed to our partners and together we try to continue to actively represent, focus on and, most importantly, implement together with our partners on the ground.



SACAU Propac- Plateforme Regionale des Organisations Paysannes d'Afrique Centrale Union Maghrébine et Nord Africaine des Agriculteurs Pan African Farmers Organisation Andreas Quiring

🌱 , and Being Heard – more than just words, these are the foundations of real transformation.

Over the past three years, Masankho Kamsisi Banda has had a front-row seat to witness what happens when young farmers are empowered to lead, speak up, and grow – personally and professionally.

Through the Young Leaders Incubation Program (YLIP) and the collaboration between SACAU, ROPPA and us, young voices from across Southern and Western Africa are being heard – and they are rising.

✨ A young horticulturist from Malawi now inspires women across continents.
🎤 A farmer from Gambia found the confidence to speak up – and is now a strong voice for climate-smart agriculture.
These stories are just the beginning.

Empowering young farmers means shaping the future of agriculture and food security in Africa.

📖 Read the full story by Masankho Banda here: Leadership, Confidence and Being Heard - Young Leaders Incubation Program - Andreas Hermes Akademie