Yambasu Agriculture Initiative
The Yambasu Agriculture Initiative supports episcopal areas developing new agricultural projects utilizing United Methodist land holdings. Currently, the initiative supports African churches as they seek to fully mobilize local and regional resources, including use of church land for crops and animal raising. Additional outcomes include improved household livelihoods and food security through training opportunities, direct participation in the program, seeds and tools. The growth of church membership is also expected, given opportunities for evangelism through community trainings. The initiative works to increase the ability of the UMC and its communities in Africa to become self-sustaining.
Read Stories of Impact
Reinvestment, a key component and goal in Yambasu Agriculture Initiative projects, is yielding fruits leading to growth and expansion across Africa.
On April 20, 2023, the Global Ministries Board of Directors approved an allocation of $5 million for the Yambasu Agriculture Initiative (YAI). This allocation will provide YAI grants to various African annual conferences throughout 2023. YAI, operating currently in 15 episcopal areas, is transforming the lives of struggling farming communities and giving them hope for an entrepreneurial leap in agriculture.
Yambasu Agriculture Initiative farmers who recently trained with the YAI program in Porto Novo, Benin, realize tremendous change and results in their farming skills upon returning home.