Navigating the crossroads of food systems, finance, and sustainability

Ensuring access to safe, nutritious food for a growing global population while protecting our planet is a multifaceted challenge. While many regions have made strides in industrial agriculture to boost food security, Africa lags – despite its vast potential. To keep up, Africa must embrace climate-smart systems and sustainable agricultural practices, like greenhouse farming which can mitigate climate change impacts, enhance resource efficiency, and significantly boost food production.

From a food systems perspective, greenhouse technology presents opportunities alongside complex trade-offs. Greenhouses promise increased yields and year-round production. They also optimise the efficient use of water, fertilisers and pesticides, compared to open cultivation. This comes with a trade-off in the economic domain: substantial upfront investments and high operational costs, the capital needed may be inaccessible for smallholder farmers. The same goes for the technical knowhow and market linkages.

One African country is taking the leap – Cameroon. By championing culturally appropriate greenhouse technology, fostering partnerships with local producers, and attracting private sector investment, Cameroon is reshaping its agricultural landscape. Greenhouse Ventures (GHV) is leading this charge by introducing and scaling low-cost, smart greenhouse technology. With over 50 greenhouse farms covering 25 hectares, GHV is demonstrating the potential of this technology to revolutionise vegetable production in Cameroon.

As a PhD candidate, with a focus on sustainability and innovative financing, I am intrigued by the transformative power of greenhouse technology. I am particularly interested in exploring the role of smart financing in unlocking the full potential of agricultural development. GHV's success offers valuable insights into replicable strategies for scaling greenhouse farming across Africa.

GHV's flagship franchise model represents a pioneering approach in African agriculture. As the sole private sector-led initiative in Cameroon, GHV has been able to tailor its greenhouse technology to local economic realities. The franchise model empowers farm owners with trained management teams and guarantees the offtake of all produce through a robust domestic, regional, and international market network. The model is particularly appealing to the diaspora community, allowing them to invest in greenhouse farming.

The innovative spirit extends beyond conventional farming. By establishing greenhouses in 11 orphanages, 3 prisons, and 13 schools, GHV has created unique social impact programs. These initiatives not only enhance food security for the institution, but also foster appreciation of horticulture, development of skills and economic opportunities.

Also worth mentioning is that recently, the Cameroon government exempted greenhouse equipment from customs duties and greenhouse farms from local taxes. It also increased taxes on imported vegetables to promote local production. These measures have boosted demand for greenhouse farms and locally grown produce in supermarkets.

Reflecting on the transformative journey above, I am reminded of the critical role of future technologies and systemic innovations in profoundly transforming our food systems. These innovations are essential for accelerating the transition towards sustainability, as emphasised in the food systems e-course I recently completed. Insights from the course highlight the necessity for multiple stakeholders to collaborate in introducing transformative innovations.

The interactions within the food system and the potential of greenhouses to act as transformation accelerators are significant. However, greenhouses alone will not suffice. It requires the collaboration of innovators from the private sector, financial institutions, government, and education and research sectors. In Cameroon, GHV and their partners have exemplified this by teaming up to accelerate the business-led introduction of greenhouses.