ESG and DEIB analysis of Smart Afrogrics

Environmental: Smart Afrogrics remains at the forefront in encouraging people to engage in sustainable agricultural practices. Despite that, they have their Asili Farm Project where they have trained more than 5,000 farmers in organic farming using locally available substances for making fertilizers and pesticides. It has cut large measures on ultramodern chemical inputs, which has improved the conditions of the land as well as the bio-diversity level. Also, Smart Afrogrics uses IoT sensors and drones to make precise agricultural decisions on resource utilization or impact on the natural environment. This has also been vivid by their efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by utilizing electroplastication to curb plastics littering the environment with negative impacts on sustainable farming1. They also support such global sustainable development objectives as combating climate change and lowering the carbon footprint.

Social:

Smart Afrogrics is supportive in approach in terms of community upliftment and people’s participation. Together, their initiatives have capacity-fostered over 5,000 farmers with special attention to youths, women, disabled, and ethnic groups1. Women in Agriculture and other targeted training for learners with a disability guarantee that there are accommodations for learners in some form of disadvantaged status. This favorable integration model has enhanced impressive community relations and well-being.

Governance:

The organization's governance process is transparent, and internal and external stakeholders are involved. They have developed good procedures for the handling of grievances, as well as, micro-policy which enhances fair decision-making. They have been characterized by good governance practices, winning the MKO Abiola Community Engagement Award for community participation and accountability. Regarding the Efficient Afrogrics’ governance structure, the representatives of all the company’s stakeholders need to express their needs and provide the necessary trust and cooperation.

Achievements

Environmental:

Organic farming effectively cuts down the quantity of chemical fertilizers and pesticides used.

Improved soil health and that of the ecosystem in general.

Use IoT sensors and drones to optimize the use of resources.

Supported carbon neutrality through electroplastication.

Social:

Trained more than 5000 farmers with special attention to the vulnerable.

Better standards of living and household food adequacy.

Promoted a healthy understanding of society.

Governance:

Laid down clear and open structures for decision-making.

That has been awarded the best MKO Abiola Community Engagement Award on community engagement.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND BELONGING

Smart Afrogrics is a highly inclusive organization with the interest of all demographics represented. We take a keen interest in making sure that youths are well represented and employment creation is achieved among the youth. Just for instance, the organization's board of management is composed of 100% youths that have both genders spread across with 4 men and 3 women. We highly value the impact the youth and women contribute to the sustainability of our communities hence we have one full project that was implemented in the year FY2023/2024 (Asili farm) that was tailored to enhance the contribution this group makes in the food security value chain where the youth and the women of the community are trained on how to ensure that they use locally available materials such as bund soil, yeast, cow dung and other organic materials in agriculture as either fertilizers, pesticides or foliar. This project has impacted more than 5000 individuals so far with positive feedback from the community. Teresa Akinyi has a positive story to say about the impact Asili farm has been able to do to her farm so far attributing the increased yield by 40% in a period of just a year.

As an organization that has every person’s interest at heart, we highly advocate for equal opportunities even for the disabled. John, a physically disabled person aged 66 helps us achieve this hence making sure that all our programs suit

the needs of the disabled community making sure that they become a priority in our efforts towards achieving our objectives and program successes.