The month in pictures: April

Saifuddin is sorting wheat stalks that he has grown using a seed bank supported by AKF. Seed banks are community-managed facilities that store and preserve seeds, so that farmers like Saifuddin can grow healthy crops sustainably, even in regions where access to high-quality seeds is limited. The banks play a vital role in increasing yields, improving livelihoods, and fostering agricultural growth. Through this particular project, AKF has established 97 seed banks in various provinces, including Badakhshan, Takhar, Baghlan, and Samangan, reaching over 1,694 households.

Last month, at an education centre established and run by AKF, children celebrated Mothers’ Day by preparing thoughtful cards and crafting gifts for their mothers and female caregivers. This centre in Hama welcomes 140 children aged three to five years old, supporting early childhood development as they prepare for school. In a fragile Syria, these centres provide stability to families, and a safe place for children to play and learn.

Ayron has loved baking for as long as she can remember, and it was always her dream to open her own bakery. In 2023, she did just that – and with support from AKF through its Mountain Societies Development Support Programme (MSDSP), Ayron has recently expanded her business by acquiring new baking equipment, enabling her to hire a baking assistant. As a mother of five, Ayron is proud to be running her own business and providing for her family. Next, she wants to open a small shop where she can sell her delicious baked goods.

Here, Mahamud Omar inspects a mangrove nursery before planting the next batch of seedlings. In Bagamoyo, on the coast of Tanzania, AKF is working with local communities to restore mangroves degraded by deforestation. Frequently logged for construction wood and charcoal production by people with few alternative sources of income, the loss of mangroves has had a devastating impact on biodiversity and weakened the natural defences that protect coastal communities from storms. With more than half of all mangrove ecosystems at risk of collapse by 2050, efforts like this are essential. This programme is one of many contributing to AKF’s Indian Ocean Coastal Regeneration Initiative.

A woman returns from the fields after harvesting corn – a typical scene in Cabo Delgado’s rural districts. Agriculture is the main source of income for more than 70 per cent of Mozambique’s population and provides employment for 80 per cent of the workforce. Rural women play a crucial role in growing food crops, providing income and nutritious food for their families.

Across India, AKF is promoting water-efficient irrigation techniques like drip irrigation. This method delivers water directly to the root zone of each plant – minimising wastage, conserving water, and significantly improving crop productivity. By targeting only the required areas, it also reduces weed growth, which in turn lowers the need for labour-intensive weeding. As a result, farmers save both time and resources while increasing yields.

At the Agrarian Institute of Bilibiza (IABiL), young people from Cabo Delgado’s rural areas grow their skills and knowledge to build their careers in the agricultural sector. Here, a student practices applying organic, climate resilient herbicides to bean crops. Last month, 25 IABiL graduates participated in training to equip them with entrepreneurship skills, so that they can launch their own sustainable businesses in the sector. The training, facilitated by AKF and conducted by Gapi, supported participants to develop model business plans and seek investment opportunities. This initiative is funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Maputo.

Shashi Devi has established a sapling nursery, helping families in her village establish kitchen gardens at home. By selling her chemical-free, nutrient-rich saplings, she is promoting better health and well-being in her community and earning a steady income for herself. AKF has supported Shashi by providing an initial batch of saplings and facilitating training on organic pest control and disease management, to keep her crop healthy. Shashi’s village is one of 24 being supported by AKF in this way.

Members of Umoja Idindiri (meaning ‘unity for Idindiri village’), a community group from central Tanzania’s Kondoa district, meet with AKF staff to discuss planned community-led gender equality activities, delivered through the Tuinuke Pamoja project. This group have decided on organising sex and gender education sessions in the community, whilst other groups have chosen to focus on women’s financial inclusion, gender-based violence awareness campaigns, and strengthening women’s leadership skills. Tuinuke Pamoja, funded by The Embassy of Ireland in Tanzania, aims to enhance collective grassroots action for gender equality and women’s empowerment.