African Association for Vertical Farming (AAVF)

The Vision: AAVF’s vision is to improve food security and provide a platform for economic empowerment, especially for youth and women. AAVF uses innovative food production practices to alleviate Africa’s’ growing population, urbanisation and climate change challenges. The Mission: The AAVF is mobilising a network of individuals, organizations, and research institutions in Africa’s urban agriculture sector where efforts on Africa’s food security are shared. The AAVF 4 Pillars: 1. Agri Businesses: Logic Business models. a)Teaching Business models and ecosystems b) Promoting business success for African farmers by connecting them to other businesses in Africa and around the world. 2. Agriculture Education & Training: / Education behind the Science. a) The AAVF Education and Training, centers develop skills of the youth and women in Africa to start growing local food sustainably. b) AAVF organises Agroecology workshops and courses in Africa for young farmers on topics like Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), controlled grazing systems, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), conservation tillage, crop rotation, mulching, cover crops, water use efficiency and soil nutrient management. Introducing alternative ways of production to smallholder farmers. 3. Research, Development & Technology: Agro-industry-business = Technologies + Business Models + Ecosystems. a)Presenting modern farming, state of the art technologies and methods as tools to galvanize the agriculture industry; and encouraging African farmers, graduates and smallholder farmers to stay in the industry and help revolutionize it. 4.Humanitarian Support (Youth, Women Empowerment through Agriculture): Self-sufficient Agriculture = Technologies. a) The platform ties to youth and women empowerment by supporting each effort so that Smart Agriculture in Africa is seen and understood as an inclusive and empowerment tool.