Lindiwe Mkhize

South African agricultural innovator who revolutionized smallholder farming through digital solutions

Lindiwe Mkhize is a trailblazing agricultural economist and entrepreneur whose work has profoundly impacted food security across sub-Saharan Africa. As founder of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN), she pioneered the use of mobile technology to connect smallholder farmers with markets and resources. Her organization developed the eMKambo platform which uses SMS and mobile apps to provide real-time market prices, weather forecasts, and agricultural best practices to over 200,000 farmers. This innovation reduced post-harvest losses by 30% and increased incomes by an average of 40% for participating farmers.

Mkhize's advocacy led to the creation of Africa's first agricultural policy monitoring system, enabling governments to track progress toward food security goals. Her work with the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) helped shape continental policies on climate-smart agriculture. In 2015, she was appointed by the African Union to lead the implementation of the Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation in Africa.

Her groundbreaking research on gender equity in agriculture revealed that women farmers control 70% of smallholder farms yet receive only 10% of agricultural extension services. This data spurred policy changes in 12 African countries to prioritize women's access to land rights and financial services. Mkhize's TED Talk "How to Feed Africa's Cities" has over 1.2 million views and inspired urban farming initiatives in Nairobi, Lagos, and Johannesburg.