Introduction: A Shared Mission

This article is inspired by the 20 Million Farmers Initiative and explores how its lessons can support innovation, skills development, and resilience in the agricultural systems worldwide.

The idea of Linking Horizons is not just symbolic. It is a practical mission. Africa and the rest of the world may be geographically distant, yet they face similar realities: climate stress, smallholder-led agriculture, rural poverty, and strong traditions of indigenous knowledge. At the same time, all regions hold enormous potential for transformation if farmers are recognised as innovators and partners in change.

This article speaks to policymakers, farmers, researchers, and development partners who are shaping the future of agriculture and food systems—locally and globally.

The 20 Million Farmers Initiative

The 20 Million Farmers Initiative is led by the Global Sustainable Futures Network (GSFN) in partnership with the Union of Farmers of Africa and a wide continental coalition. The goal is ambitious but clear: to engage 20 million African farmers in what we call “farming carbon.”

Farming carbon combines regenerative agriculture, nature-based solutions, and carbon market opportunities. It allows farmers to earn income not only from crops, but also from climate-positive practices such as soil restoration, agroforestry, and sustainable water management.

This approach changes the narrative. Farmers are no longer seen only as food producers. They become climate solution providers, knowledge holders, and contributors to global climate goals.

In Africa, agriculture supports around 65% of livelihoods directly and over 80% indirectly. Farmers face droughts, floods, soil degradation, and unstable markets. Yet, despite these pressures, they continue to create low-cost, community-led solutions that protect both livelihoods and ecosystems.

A core part of the initiative is onboarding farmers onto digital commodity exchange platforms. These platforms provide:

• Real-time market prices
• Better transparency and traceability
• Reduced dependence on middlemen

They also generate valuable data. This helps identify farmer clusters with strong potential for carbon credit projects, ensuring that climate finance reaches rural communities rather than stopping at intermediaries.

Key Lessons from African Farmers

African farming systems offer powerful lessons that are highly relevant for the rest of the world.

First, community-driven innovation

Farmers learn from each other through strong local networks. Solutions spread because they are locally owned and culturally rooted, rather than imposed from outside.

Second, resilience through diversification

Practices such as agroforestry, intercropping, and mixed farming reduce risk and improve food security. These approaches are particularly suitable for countries with semi-arid regions.

Third, the leadership of women and youth

Women and young people are not only labour contributors; they are drivers of innovation. When given access to skills, finance, and leadership roles, they transform rural economies.

Fourth, digital transformation

Mobile technology now connects farmers to weather data, markets, training, and finance. Simple digital tools are proving that innovation does not need to be expensive to be effective.

Finally, climate adaptation strategies

Water harvesting, soil restoration, and drought-resistant crops help farmers turn vulnerability into long-term resilience.

What This Means for the rest of the world

The goal is not to copy African models, but to adapt them. Worldwide agriculture/farming systems have their own ecosystems, cultures, and policies. However, the principles are transferable.

One priority is qualification and certification. Farmers already have skills, but these are often not formally recognised. Certification of green and sustainable skills can open access to finance, markets, and new employment opportunities.

Another priority is embedding innovation into education and policy systems. Universities, extension services, and governments must work together to design curricula and research that respond to real farming challenges, not just theory.

Digital platforms can connect smallholder farmers to wider markets while supporting better planning, monitoring, and investment decisions.

Partnerships, Incentives, and Cooperation

Sustainable transformation rests on three pillars:

1. Partnerships – Governments, universities, and communities must co-create solutions. Each brings unique strengths: policy authority, research capacity, and local knowledge.
2. Incentives – Financial, market-based, and technical incentives encourage farmers to adopt regenerative practices.
3. South–South cooperation – Collaboration between Africa and the Global South enables shared learning based on similar development realities, rather than dependency.

A Shared Call to Action

The future of agriculture depends on cross-continental collaboration, farmer-led innovation hubs, and strong support for women and youth. Most importantly, innovation and skills development must be part of long-term agricultural policy, not short-term projects.

African farmers are not passive recipients of aid. They are knowledge-rich innovators. Their experiences offer valuable guidance for Global South and beyond.

By linking horizons—across continents, cultures, and communities—we can build resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food systems for the future.

Suggested references (for magazine links):

• FAO – Climate-Smart Agriculture: https://www.fao.org/climate-smart-agriculture
• World Bank – Agriculture & Climate: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/agriculture
• UNFCCC – Carbon Markets & Agriculture: https://unfccc.int
• GSFN – Global Sustainable Futures Network: https://www.globalsustainablefutures.org

Dr Renuka Thakore is the Founder & CEO of the Global Sustainable Futures Network (GSFN), working globally at the intersection of agriculture, climate, education, and sustainable development.

ceo@gsfn.co.uk

https://gsfn.co.uk/20-m-farmers-initiative-farm-carbon-africa/