MOLINE, Ill., May 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- John Deere
(NYSE: DE) believes farmers can make the world better. To recognize
the company's recent work with smallholder farm families in
northern Nigeria to unlock their
potential to sustain themselves and those around them, Fast
Company selected John Deere as the Winner in the Corporate
Social Responsibility category of the 2021 World Changing Ideas
Awards.
"Rayuwa," which means "life" and "livelihood" in Hausa, is the
name of John Deere's project with PYXERA Global that combines two
interventions essential to farm family success: agricultural
training to increase food security and profitability; and youth
education to inspire opportunity and equity. Through its World
Changing Ideas Awards, Fast Company honors innovative
approaches like Rayuwa that reveal a deep commitment to tackling
the world's greatest challenges.
"There is no question our society and planet are facing deeply
troubling times. So, it's important to recognize organizations that
are using their ingenuity, impact, design, scalability and passion
to solve these problems," said Stephanie
Mehta, editor-in-chief of Fast Company.
A panel of eminent Fast Company editors and reporters
selected winners from a pool of more than 4,000 entries.
"By combining agricultural training and youth education, Rayuwa
does something unique—it invests simultaneously in the farmers of
today and tomorrow," said Nate
Clark, president of the John Deere Foundation. "When farm
families have the opportunity for education, they become more
productive, profitable and adaptable."
One such farmer is Rahila
Sama'ila, who has been farming for 40 years. "I participated
in Rayuwa's trainings in plant spacing, seed sowing, fertilizer
application and how to protect ourselves when using agrochemicals
on our farms," said Sama'ila. "My yields increased 20% this
year."
Because Rayuwa recruited homegrown talent from regional
universities to teach its agricultural and education programs, its
work with Sama'ila and her neighbors could continue even in the
face of COVID-19. "I feel safe with the Rayuwa team, even in these
challenging times," said Sama'ila. "They are honest people and keep
their promises."
Despite the enormous challenges posed by COVID-19 and its impact
on many in Nigeria and throughout
Africa, Rayuwa's 2,500 farmers and
4,000 youth prospered:
- Rayuwa farmers reduced their rate of food insecurity during the
"hunger season" from 63% to 53%, compared to the doubling of food
insecurity in Africa.
- Rayuwa farmers increased total earnings by USD $1.3 million due to improved yields, despite
growing poverty in Nigeria.
- Rayuwa youth earning top scores in letter and number
recognition increased by 60% and 77% respectively, with a projected
increase in lifetime earnings through better education topping USD
$1.9 million.
- Rayuwa's success in agriculture and education inspired 300
youth to return from the cities to farm and learn, breaking
long-term trends in urban migration.
"In every measure, this award is a testament to the skill,
ingenuity and resilience of Rayuwa's farm families and the
exceptional Rayuwa staff," Clark said. "They have changed the
world, and we at John Deere are privileged to serve them."
About John Deere
Deere & Company
(www.JohnDeere.com) is a world leader in providing advanced
products, technology, and services for customers whose work is
revolutionizing agriculture and construction — those who cultivate,
harvest, transform, enrich, and build upon the land to meet the
world's increasing need for food, fuel, shelter, and
infrastructure.
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