To tackle global challenges, while addressing
the needs of smallholder farmers in Africa

Since 1986, SAA has been working on strengthening the agricultural extension system in sub-Saharan Africa to support smallholders gain a variety of skills and knowledge in agriculture. SAA has worked to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and reduce poverty by strengthening the relationship between National Agriculture Research and Extension Systems, Universities, International Agricultural Research Centers, extension workers and farmer organizations; and by providing comprehensive support, covering the entire value chain from production, postharvest, agro-processing and marketing.

However, in the face of emerging global challenges such as soil degradation, climate change, rapid population growth, increasing youth unemployment, and the spread of COVID-19, it is necessary to work on the realization of food, nutrition and income security across the entire food system – from food production through to consumption in the sub-Saharan Africa region. This is aimed at reducing poverty for smallholder farmers in Africa. Based on this Vision and Mission, in 2021, SAA launched a five-year Strategic Plan (2021-2025) centered on the following priority areas.

Download: SAA Strategic Plan 2021-2025 (PDF)


framework

Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs)

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by the United Nations as a universal call to action to end poverty and improve environmental sustainability. There are a total of 17 Goals, all of which are integrated in the recognition that action in one area will inevitably affect outcomes in others.

Through various interventions, SAA will primarily contribute to Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture. SAA aims to boost productivity, close the yield gap, provide sufficient nutritious food in line with population growth, as well as strengthen the linkage to markets to improve family incomes.


SAA also contributes to the following SDGs:

  • Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere.
  • Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
  • Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
  • Goal 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
  • Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. Reduce postharvest losses through technical backstopping.
  • Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts by regulating emissions and promoting developments in renewable energy.
  • Goal 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.


SDGs

Contents

Regenerative agriculture

Focus Area 1: Regenerative agriculture

SAA aims to establish regenerative agriculture (RA) in its operations by combining conservation agriculture (CA) and integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) practices.

Nutrition-sensitive agriculture

Focus Area 2: Nutrition-sensitive agriculture

SAA aims to improve nutrition in rural Africa by promoting cultivation, agro-processing and marketing of nutritious crops, as well as raising awareness on nutrition.

Focus Area 3: Market-oriented agriculture

SAA is working to improve the business capacity and entrepreneurial spirit of smallholder farmers through “farming as a business enterprise”.

Cross-cutting 1: Capacity building

Central to all of SAA’s activities is capacity building for human resources and institutions, including farmer organizations, universities and public/private agricultural extension systems.

Cross-cutting 2: Inclusiveness

SAA is committed to empowering women, youth and people with disabilities by facilitating their participation in the agricultural sector.

Cross-cutting 3: Digitalization (DX)

SAA actively utilizes and encourages the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to fill the information gap between smallholder farmers and stakeholders.

SAA Publications

E-newsletter
"Walking with the Farmer"

SAA publishes a bimonthly e-newsletter reporting on SAA activities.

SAA Mail News

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SAA history book
"Walking with the Farmer: The journey of the Sasakawa Africa Assoication since 1986"

This book chronicles the history of SAA from its inception to the present.

Success stories
Voices from the Field Special Edition 2022

This is a special edition of the "Voices from the Field" articles.