RSA Sounding Board: Programme Weaver

We are convening a Sounding Board to help Richard Kapff FRSA to find the best way forward for his African agricultural restoration programme, Weaver, explained below.

Sounding Boards are round-table discussions developed by the RSA Fellowship in the South West to help explore challenging strategic issues. Any Fellow can attend. Boards work best with a diverse group. Experts are welcome but so is anyone else who might be interested or have an opinion.

 About  Programme Weaver

Agriculture is the foundation of many African economies.

44% of the working population in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is involved in agriculture, yet - despite chronic food insecurity – bank lending for agriculture remains at 1%. This anomaly is burdened further by an expected 60% increase in demand for food, by 2040.

Though food security issues beset the continent - exacerbated by drought, corruption, famine, pestilence and lack of infrastructure, it is the current agricultural land tenure systems which ultimately fail it.

I was approached by senior chiefs - who sought ways to develop an economic restoration process - underpinned by modern commercial farming methods - which would educate a new generation of ‘trained’ farmers to invest and begin a social/environmental/economic building process.

This collaboration culminated the rural development programme, on communal lands, known as Weaver.

With just 15% of each communal area in Sub-Saharan Africa given the opportunity to adapt to the Weaver model – it is expected that within 10 years, the nation would double agricultural output and, as a model, begin a revolutionary land reform process across SSA. 

Please do sign up using the Book Now link and we will contact those interested nearer the time with details of the venue.

RSA Sounding Board sessions are consultative forums for local Fellows that are looking to get more Fellows involved.  These ‘Sounding Boards’ are groups of Fellows with particular expertise, interests, or relevant skills, who come together to help an external organisation address a particular challenge.

If you have any access requirements or require any reasonable adjustments, please let the team know: [email protected]. Please also let us know if you have any dietary requirements or severe allergies.

Location: TBC, Exeter