The Let's Talk Agriculture Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Welcome to another episode of the Let’s Talk Agriculture Podcast! Today, we’re diving into a critical topic—branding and marketing for agribusinesses. Many African agribusinesses do great work, yet they struggle to differentiate themselves in the market. Without strong branding, it becomes difficult to attract investors, customers, and partners.

So, what can we learn from global food brands that have successfully built recognizable and trusted identities? Let’s break it down.

First, let’s talk about Dangote Group. Dangote has established itself as a dominant player, not just in agriculture but across multiple industries. What’s the secret? Consistency in branding. From product packaging to marketing campaigns, their identity remains the same, making them instantly recognizable. This is something many agribusinesses in Africa overlook—the power of consistency in messaging, design, and positioning.

Next, we look at Nestlé and how they adapted their marketing to fit African cooking styles. Instead of using a one-size-fits-all approach, Nestlé tailored its branding and communication to resonate with local consumers. This is a key lesson—understanding your audience and localizing your messaging can set you apart.

Then there’s Olam Agri, which has positioned itself as a sustainability-driven agribusiness. In today’s market, consumers and investors are paying more attention to sustainability. Olam Agri didn’t just adopt sustainability as a practice, they made it part of their brand story, which helped them stand out and build trust.

So, what’s the key takeaway? African agribusinesses must be intentional about branding. Whether it’s through consistency, audience-centered messaging, or sustainability, branding is what makes your business visible, credible, and competitive.

At Let’s Talk Agriculture Limited, we help agribusinesses develop strong branding, marketing, and communication strategies that position them for success. If you’re struggling with differentiation, now is the time to start building a brand that lasts.

Tune in to this episode to learn how you can apply these lessons to your agribusiness. Let’s make African agribusinesses impossible to ignore!

In this insightful episode of the Let’s Talk Agriculture Podcast, host Sharon Idahosa explores the power of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in shaping strong agricultural brands. Brought to you by Let’s Talk Agriculture Media, the media arm of Let’s Talk Agriculture Limited, this episode dives into: 💫 Understanding how CSR goes beyond philanthropy to create lasting value in the agricultural sector.

💫Why storytelling and strategic communication are essential to maximizing CSR impact.

💫 How effective CSR initiatives build credibility, customer loyalty, and long-term brand equity.

💫 As a leading agribusiness communication firm, we help brands craft compelling narratives, showcase their impact, and position themselves as industry leaders through CSR. If your brand is investing in CSR but struggling to communicate its impact, Let’s Talk Agriculture Limited is your trusted partner. We specialize in sustainability communications, branding, and media strategies tailored for the agricultural sector.

Get in touch with us: partnerships@letstalkagriculture.com

What are the benefits of Carbon Credits for farmers in Africa? Transcription [00:00:00] Intro [00:00:42] Sharon Idahosa: Do you know that it can actually get a whole lot easier keeping the food supply chain safe and transparent? Join over 30, 000 food, beverage, ingredient, dietary and supplement companies across global supply chain for integrated food safety, quality and sustainability services. For more information, do go to visit foodchainid.com. [00:01:03] Sharon Idahosa: And now, welcome to the Let's Talk Agriculture podcast show. This is our final episode of the Sustainability Series, and I'm excited to bring today's episode your way, where we're going to be looking at carbon credits, how farmers can, you know, gain financial benefits through carbon credits, and even put a premium for their product. [00:01:23] Sharon Idahosa: So join me welcome our guests for today, from two different organizations working hand in hand to ensure that farmers get the best, I mean, what they deserve across Africa and beyond. Welcome, Emily. Welcome, Vasco. Thank you so much for joining the Let's Talk Agriculture podcast show. [00:01:41] Sharon Idahosa: How are you doing today? [00:01:42] Emily Urban Cordeiro: Good, good. Thank you so much for having us. [00:01:45] Vasco Van Roosmalen: Doing well, thank you. And again, yes, thank you so much for having us. It's a pleasure to be here. [00:01:49] Sharon Idahosa: It's always a pleasure speaking with industry experts. I mean, I've been doing this for over three years now and interacting with industry experts also helps me to widen my horizons as well. [00:02:00] Sharon Idahosa: So I really want to appreciate you coming on the show and sharing your knowledge with me and my audience as well. So once again, Thank you. [00:02:08] Emily Urban Cordeiro: Sure. You're very welcome. Looking forward to the conversation. [00:02:10] Sharon Idahosa: Sure. So, yes, let's start with you now.So, in simple and clear terms, what is carbon credit all about? You know, how is FoodchainId involved in the voluntary market as a private entity? [00:02:25] Sharon Idahosa: Let me just know, get more idea about what carbon credit is all about. That's what we've been hearing for so long now. So maybe this is a good avenue to learn more about it. It's simple terms that [00:02:35] Emily Urban Cordeiro: yes. And actually, you know, when we think about carbon credits and what this actually means in the context of smallholders for various market players. [00:02:46] Emily Urban Cordeiro: It is actually complex to think about, you know, Vasco at ReSeed, you know, he'll, he'll explain in great, great detail, of course, how it works from their perspective. And, and I want to, I want to just zoom out for a moment and share how, how carbon credit. It is a way to essentially meet climate goals and on this conversation, we're talking about nature forestry systems, but essentially leverage the, the natural ecosystems that we have to meet our climate goals, um, globally. [00:03:21] Emily Urban Cordeiro: And then really we'll go into great detail about how this trickles down into the farmers and how the farmers themselves are the core to this, the solution and nature based. They now have all the stakeholders and this is working across geographies, across cropping systems, across cropping system types, farm sizes, various farm sizes, and we are a certification verification body. [00:03:49] Emily Urban Cordeiro: I mean, I'm. What this means in current credit is that we, our third party, ensures that all credit yields and claims are in fact according to the [00:04:00] standards and protocol that they were, were, you know, generated from. So that's a little bit of a, a little bit of a background there. [00:04:07] Sharon Idahosa: Thank you for sharing. So maybe Vasco, you want to share your own perspectives. [00:04:11] Sharon Idahosa: I mean, I'm sure everybody has like a different explanation, so maybe you want to give a little bit of an introduction on carbon credits as well. [00:04:20] Vasco Van Roosmalen: Yes, thank you, and Emily, that was really good. Um, on our side, um, we always say that the objective here are not the carbon credits themselves. Carbon credits are a tool that were developed to help drive climate finance, to help Uh, parts of our economy decarbonize or reduce their emissions. [00:04:38] Vasco Van Roosmalen: Uh, and so the idea is that you're able to quantify, uh, current emissions within those economic sectors, let's say agriculture or transport, for example, and then you can quantify and you can direct. Actions that people are taking that are helping, uh, to reduce those emissions and direct finance to those who need that additional support to reduce their emissions. [00:05:00] Vasco Van Roosmalen: And so that's also why Reseed was founded because when we look at the carbon markets of the last 20 years Uh, the university of Berkeley found that fewer than or less than one percent of all carbon credits generated up until now Have actually come from the agricultural space. And that means that we haven't been able to use this mechanism to drive finance to help farmers both to maintain their carbon stocks and to maintain their actions that are driving the sequestration and removal of carbon, as well as helping them finance what they need to do [00:05:32] Vasco Van Roosmalen: to reduce their emissions. And so that is why we found that receipt to really focus on building that bridge and helping farmers access the financing that they need so that they can stay on their lands. They can maintain their regenerative and organic practices and maintain their their activities as well. [00:05:51] Vasco Van Roosmalen: Was drive additional finance that's necessary, uh, to help them decarbonize. [00:05:55] Sharon Idahosa: Thank you for sharing. Thank you for sharing. So I got an insight into a case study where both your organizations are collaborating to supplement, um, Brazilian across, um, cocoa farming. I mean, trying to help the Brazilian cocoa farmers [00:06:11] Sharon Idahosa: with your income through carbon credits. So do you mind elaborating more on this? What role did your organizations play to support this project? Let's hear from you Vasco, please. [00:06:21] Vasco Van Roosmalen: Thank you, Sharon. So yes, so both ReSeed and FoodchainID started a partnership with a Brazilian chocolate company that's called Dengo that has a really high level of involvement in supporting their cocoa producers. [00:06:36] Vasco Van Roosmalen: Uh, to help them measure and also drive again, climate finance, carbon finance to support these farmers, most of whom are smallholder farmers. So when we looked at, at what was going on in the supply chain, over 75 percent of, uh, the farmers in these cacao supply chains of this in the chocolate industry, they are smallholder farmers, and the vast majority of them live on less than a living income. [00:07:01] Vasco Van Roosmalen: And yet, when you're looking also, uh, as in many other countries, many of these farmers actually farm in a way that they're protecting forests. Uh, so in Bahia, you have, uh, In Brazil, uh, the farmers are the response. The cocoa farmers are responsible for maintaining the last remnants of the Atlantic forest in that region of Brazil as they plant the cacao trees under the shade of the larger tree. [00:07:23] Vasco Van Roosmalen: And this way of working this way of growing and making the forest productive while protecting the forest is something that is a really beneficial to all of us as we are looking to reduce deforestation. And so we want to be able to recognize that. And so, ReSeed and foodChainID have worked together and currently we we are working with the farmers in that region to be able to recognize the fact that they are protecting this forest as well as helping them increase the amount of Um, of additional carbon that they can draw down both by improving the soils and that's what's [00:08:00] one of the identified needs by the farmers themselves is how do we increase our yields? [00:08:05] Vasco Van Roosmalen: How do we increase the product? Our productivity of our soils and the health of our souls? And that is a key factor. And that's where, where Dr. Emily is actually, uh, the expert. And so that way we are able to drive finance to these farmers. And at this point, we are able to increase these farmers income between 30 and 50 percent from their current incomes based on bringing in this carbon. [00:08:29] Vasco Van Roosmalen: Finance, which recognizes their protection activities of their carbon stocks and their shoals and forests, as well as supporting them with those additional action. And that's been a key point. And as, as we know, in the cacao sector, uh, over this, uh, the last few months, there's been a tremendous upheaval, right? [00:08:47] Vasco Van Roosmalen: With less supply, uh, prices have gone, uh, to record highs. And there is this. Definitely this instability in the supply, and we need this additional investment to those people who actually are sustaining our entire chocolate industry, which are in the vast majority are smallholder farmers, both in West Africa and in Africa, as well as in countries like Brazil.

[00:00:00] Intro [00:00:36] Sharon Idahosa: Hey guys, welcome to another episode of our sustainability series. [00:00:41] Sharon Idahosa: It's really been an exciting and insightful time for me. I mean, I've been discussing with industry experts with a sustainability focus globally. Now, if this is your first time joining or listening, we've had about two episodes already, and you may want to go back and listen. [00:01:00] All of our episodes are available on letstalkagriculture. com [00:01:03] Sharon Idahosa: Now, this episode is exclusively sponsored by FoodChainid. So for more information, please do well to visit foodchainid.com. My name is Sharon Idahosa and I am your host. Once again, welcome to the Let's Talk Agriculture podcast show. Today, I will be discussing with two amazing personalities who will be sharing their perspective [00:01:26] Sharon Idahosa: and the work that they do on the topic of regenerative agriculture. So friends, families join me welcome Charles of Virco Group and Dr. Rudolf of Food Chain ID. Hello, gentlemen, thank you so much for joining the show today. How are you doing? [00:01:43] Ruud: Doing very fine. Thank you very much. And pleased to talk to you. [00:01:47] Sharon Idahosa: Charles. [00:01:48] Charles: I'm doing great, Sharon. Great. I'm doing great, Sharon. It's great to be here. so [00:01:51] Sharon Idahosa: Thank you so much. So I'm really excited about what we are going to learn today. And for us to get this ball rolling, I'm just going to need [00:02:00] to get your perspective on regenerative agriculture. What does it mean? What is, what is the idea behind regenerative agriculture? [00:02:09] Sharon Idahosa: Charles, maybe you can go first and then Rudolf, you can take over from Charles. [00:02:13] Charles: Okay. Thank you. Thank you for that. So over the years, um, quite recently, regenerative agriculture has become such a hot topic in the agricultural space, especially in this current times that there are issues with climate change and we're seeing the effects on what climate change is doing for us. [00:02:34] Charles: So to break it down to a simple term, regenerative agriculture from how I see it is all about farming or if you're into grazing, while solely based on regenerating the topsoil and allowing farmers to maintain crop yields, improve water retention, plants uptake, but the bottom line is increasing farm profitability and especially with how the food production currently [00:03:00] Charles: is leaning towards in terms of trends, there's a big importance on how people want to know food is being produced. So with this kind of situations, these are when regenerative agriculture comes into place because it puts a lot more focus, not just on crop, not just on crop yield, but more on strengthening the health and the vitality of the farm soil. [00:03:22] Charles: Because at the end of today, You know, once you put in these activities into your planting, you know, it helps a lot in the long term. So it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, system that is being smiled upon now globally. And even with the issues with climate change that we are even experiencing here in Nigeria, you know, it's become important that these are the methods that should be adopted. [00:03:48] Charles: in the current day and time for farming, farming practices right now. So that's it's just a short, short, short idea on what we what we coined the term or [00:04:00] believe in the term; regenerative agriculture. [00:04:02] Sharon Idahosa: Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. I would have wanted to ask how well it's really been adopted here in Nigeria, but maybe we'll come to that briefly. 00:04:12] Sharon Idahosa: Let me just hear from Rudolph. So, over to you. Yeah,

[00:00:00] Sharon Idahosa: Hello, beautiful people. Welcome to another episode of the Sustainability Series brought to you by Let's Talk Agriculture. So we are an industry specific public relations and communications firm specializing in agriculture. So just in case you haven't explored our website to see what we have in store for you, quickly visit letstalkagriculture.com for more information. [00:00:25] Sharon Idahosa: So our previous sustainability series featured a phenomenal woman who joined us to, you know, how she's leading the change in the Cassava Valley chain. and the industry at large. Today we want to dive into another interesting episode, digging deep into regenerative agriculture. [00:00:44] Sharon Idahosa: Now the question, how can we empower farmers for a sustainable future? So, join me, welcome Tania Roa, the climate justice and wildlife advocate at Sustainable Harvest International. Hello, Tanya. How are you doing today? Thank you so much for joining the show. [00:01:01] Tania Roa: Great. Thank you so much. I'm so glad I get to talk today about Sustainable Harvest International's work. [00:01:07] Tania Roa: Um, it's going to be really exciting. I'm just glad to be here. [00:01:10] Sharon Idahosa: Great. Hopefully just relax. I mean, it's It's not just gonna be a stressful thing to just relax and let's just try to enjoy ourselves basically. So I'd like to know a little bit about you because I haven't really seen so much about you. So maybe you can tell us just a little bit about you, what you experience as a climate justice and wildlife advocate. [00:01:32] Tania Roa: Sure. So right now, I'm the communications and outreach coordinator at Sustainable Harvest International. And with Sustainable Harvest International, we're working with family farmers in Central America, um, who are transitioning to regenerative agriculture. A lot of them grew up learning conventional agriculture. [00:01:51] Tania Roa: It's just the default practice that they learned, which includes burning forests and then growing crops, um, in that burned land, but that just leads to a lot of health effects, uh, for them and for the planet. Of course, we don't want to burn forests. And so, What we do is just help them learn a new way of agriculture; regenerative agriculture that we'll be talking about. [00:02:14] Tania Roa: And so my part in that role is just sharing their stories as a communications coordinator. And it's just really exciting to see how they can really transform their lives with just a new, what seems very simple, a new practice, um, but really a profound and transformational way to better their lives and better. [00:02:38] Tania Roa: the environment that they live in. [00:02:40] Sharon Idahosa: Thank you for sharing that. So, I think it's really important that we try to create awareness around, um, climate change because so many people are still focused on burning and I really don't know who gave them the idea. I mean, I see this often. I just can't help but wonder why are you burning? [00:03:00] Sharon Idahosa: And the most annoying part of it is, yeah, it's annoying to me really because they do this during the dry season when everywhere is dry and then you start burning. What are you burning really? What? You see dust flying everywhere. And it's, it's just, it just makes the whole environment messy. And I mean, you can't really breathe in such air or something. [00:03:25] Sharon Idahosa: So, I think it's really amazing. Um, what you're doing and also helping them to, you know, change the way they have been operating over time. Hopefully we can get more people to do this because people just have a particular mindset already that this is how it should be done. And I really don't know who said we should be gone and done.

Welcome to the first episode of our sustainability series where we explore innovative solutions and practices that contribute to a more sustainable future. In this episode, our podcast host Sharon Idahosa had a seat with Yemisi Iranloye to discuss the sustainable solutions in cassava processing which was an eye-opener because Yemisi shared insights about the cassava value chain. Transcript: [00:00 - 00:10] hello beautiful people indeed that is one of my biggest pleasure is always when i went to my own so i think it is important to first understand what a healthy relationship with [00:10 - 00:23] food is for us to know what it is not don't try i can't believe i can't believe selfish so you could be your own farmer pretty soon who knows trust trust me when i tell you there will [00:23 - 00:34] always be challenges there will always be risks seems like we have a lot in common on welcome to the let's talk agriculture podcast show and of course it's your favorite girl [00:34 - 00:47] hello beautiful people welcome to the let's talk agriculture podcast show the podcast that connects [00:47 - 01:00] you with the happenings trends and opportunities in the agriculture sector my name is sharon idahoza and i am your host if this is your first time learning about let's talk agriculture [01:01 - 01:08] we are an industry-specific public relations and communications firm helping agriculture businesses [01:08 - 01:21] build their brands increase awareness and establish leadership in their areas of specialization now if this interests you then do well to visit let's talk agriculture.com [01:21 - 01:29] or send an email to hello at let's talk agriculture.com for more information and now [01:31 - 01:37] our sustainability series where we explore innovative solutions and practices that [01:37 - 01:45] contribute to the most sustainable future this episode is sponsored by sotry international [01:45 - 01:52] the leading agro-aligned cassava processing company in africa so in today's episode [01:53 - 02:00] we are super thrilled to have yemisi the founder of cassava processing company [02:01 - 02:07] joining us now i mean this woman is an amazing woman i mean i've seen so many things that she [02:07 - 02:14] has been doing so far and i can tell you that she is worth celebrating thank god we are still [02:15 - 02:22] in the month to celebrate women so this is my chance to say i mean you're doing amazing so [02:22 - 02:29] thank you so much for joining this show um yamisi's company produces cassava based sorbitol [02:29 - 02:35] it all a versatile raw material used in food and beverage production toothpaste production [02:35 - 02:43] confectionery just name it so we will delve into how our company is driving sustainability through [02:43 - 02:51] cassava processing thank you so much for joining the show today how are you doing um i'm very well [02:51 - 02:58] thank you sharon how are you too well i'm doing okay i'm doing okay getting ready to take a leave [03:00 - 03:06] very soon i'm gonna share what i'm taking the leave hopefully hopefully i wouldn't okay [03:06 - 03:14] is that sorry i said well deserved ah yes well deserved i mean what does that mean [03:16 - 03:28] yeah i'm waiting for it i hope everything is going well with your business we're doing well we thank god though the um the economy is a bit harsh but [03:29 - 03:35] we're doing our best i can imagine i can imagine our last episode we're talking about the currency [03:35 - 03:43] fluctuations and how it's in affecting farmers and then the commodity market so i understand how [03:43 - 03:52] all of this is playing a major role for for jesus for farmers ah well i only wish that things would [03:52 - 03:59] get better to be honest i wish that this would just um take shape and help us get back on our feet for a [03:59 - 04:06] second yeah okay so to get this episode rolling can you share with our listeners how your company

Still on the Currency Fluctuation Saga in Nigeria. In our previous episode, our founder and podcast host discussed navigating currency fluctuations in Nigeria from a farmer’s POV which highlighted some challenges faced and strategies farmers can implement to navigate challenges in times like this. This week's sequel episode is all about the commodity market/traders. What impact do the currency fluctuations have on the commodity traders in Nigeria? Is it a Negative or a Positive impact? Find out as Sharon Idahosa discusses with one of the largest commodity trading companies in Africa. Check out the Trade Stylist YouTube Channel to stay updated with the commodity trade news.

As the value of the dollar fluctuates, it presents a significant challenge for those in the agriculture industry. Prices of food, inputs, commodities, and more are soaring higher like never before leaving consumers, farmers, and businesses in a chaotic state. Join us as we explore the effects of currency fluctuations on farmers, and discuss potential strategies for navigating this complex economic landscape. For sponsored segments, full advertising options, and mentions, send an email to us. podcast@letstalkagriculture.com

Today, we are exploring the gender gaps in agriculture and how we can empower female farmers in Nigeria. And I have just the perfect speaker for that. So with a clapping ovation, join me as I welcome our guest for today, Grace Fosin, the country director at MEDA. Now, she's one of my favorite women at the forefront of gender equality and women empowerment in Nigeria. Hi, Grace. Thank you so much for joining the Let's Talk Agriculture podcast show. I'm really excited to have you here today. Thank you. I can't wait for us to do this. Thank you, Sharon. Thank you, Sharon. The pleasure is mine. I'm happy to be here. Thank you. Thank you so much once again for joining. So I really want to make sure that you've received your blessings for the year because, I mean, we can't go and start the year without our blessings, can we? Thank you. Thank you very much. Okay. So I'd like to start with your personal experiences as a woman in the agriculture sector. I mean, I'm sure you must have had some difficulties at some point in your life. I mean, you've been through some sort of challenge through this phase of your life. I mean, considering we are in a male-dominated industry. So maybe you can share how you dealt with it. I mean, how it was like, because I know, I know, I know you know what I'm talking about, but. Of course, Sharon, you should ask me. I respect that. And as a woman in agriculture from the northern part of Nigeria, in fact, not Eastern Nigeria to be precise, it's interesting that my journey in this field, in the sector, began when I went to school. I took on that course. And just about four of us women taking the course amidst about 30-something men. You know, so it was a challenging time for us because we went to learn how to drive tractors, how to do all of these things. And for women, they're thinking, this is not something that, you know, it's a field that women should or it's not very popular, you know. But we were committed and we weathered the storm, the challenges. And we were able to come through. It's very interesting. I love the soil. For me, I'm somebody that I'm very, very passionate about farming. I'm passionate about agriculture. And so I grew from a family, a heritage of agriculture people. So that resonates with me even while I was in school. The challenges are there because basically, for everything, they prioritize men. So when it comes to agriculture, it's about giving land or imputes, whatever. Even in the course of my work that I am currently on, you see that the women actually don't get the first, you know, they are not prioritized. They don't get the first place in terms of maybe giving out land when you go to the agri-development program to secure a piece of land for the season. So you see this. These are all bottlenecks that women in agriculture face right from when they, as farmers in the field or as people who are working in the marketplace, everywhere, men are prioritized. Even though we want to talk about gender balance and all, but we still find it playing out in several places where we work. So that has been lingering. And I believe it's getting better, but we haven't conquered it all. Yeah. Thank you for sharing that. I am very, very certain that that whole gender balance thing is something that we are still going to continue working on because whether we like it or not, they are still going to show, give that preference to men. But then it's just about having more women coming out and still playing their roles. And that's why I really admire you and appreciate you for coming out and taking up leadership roles, you know, to inspire and educate more women. And if you'd like to advertise your business or your brand on the podcast, do be able to reach out to us as well. Podcast at letstalkagriculture.com.

It's the first episode of the Let’s Talk Agriculture podcast show for the year 2024 and our podcast host, Sharon Idahosa decided to kick off with the awesome topic. In this episode, you'll hear first-hand what the farm-to-table movement is all about and the importance of connecting consumers with local food producers. Tune in! 🎙🎙🎙 🔥 For podcast sponsorship segments, mentions, and adverts, contact us. 💌podcast@letstalkagriculture.com 🔥 For brand management and to explore our services, visit our website. 🔗www.letstalkagriculture.com