Ashley Palmer-Watts wraps up Farm Africa trip

30 September 2012

Top London Chef Ashley Palmer-Watts has just returned to his Knightsbridge restaurant ‘Dinner’ following an extraordinary trip to Kenya to see Farm Africa’s Aqua Shops project.

Before getting on the plane for his flight back to London, Ashley jotted down some reflections on his stay for his Africa Diary.

He was struck by how rural communities are entirely dependent on each other in a very self-sustaining way, growing food together, living together and helping each other out.

And in his diary Ashley also commented on the “massively important” support fish farmers are receiving from Farm Africa through the Aqua Shops. The shop owners help train farmers and provide them with everything they need, from manure for lining the ponds to fingerlings which the farmers feed and which eventually grow into healthy tilapia fish.

“Long-lasting results”

During his stay in Kisumu Ashley spent a huge amount of time sitting down with fish farmers and their communities, hearing about the challenges and opportunities they face so that he could gain a real understanding of how our project works “from start to finish”.

And what really struck the chef was how the project brought together the ponds, the infrastructure and the training which, he claims, “is so important because it delivers long-lasting results.”

During his stay with local fish farmer Joyce he also found time to come up with new ideas to help the fish farmers we are working with to make much as much as they can from the fish they farm and which they rely on for survival.

On his final night at Joyce’s home he was presented with the “challenge” of cooking for her and 20 guests. The guest list quickly turned into 60 as everyone was keen to sample the acclaimed chef's twist on a Kenyan theme!

Read Ashley's online Africa Diary.

In the UK Food Sector or hospitality business? Support Farm Africa like Ashley!

Get Involved like Ashley, says Farm Africa’s director of fundraising Pam Williams-Jones:

“Crops, livestock, fish...there’s a strong affinity between Farm Africa and the UK food and farming sector.  We’re delighted that such a respected figure as Ashley Palmer-Watts wanted to see the charity’s work for himself  and help drum up support for us among his many friends and colleagues in the hospitality business. 

Because Farm Africa relies on goodwill donations to push ahead with its objective to help Africa to feed itself, there’s a constant need to attract new friends and supporters.  We have high hopes that Ashley’s trip to Kenya will introduce our work to new people and spark all kinds of partnerships across every aspect of the hotel, restaurant and catering business.

Large, small, regular or one-off, gifts and sponsorship from companies and individuals enable us to help thousands African families find often very simple but effective long-term answers to hunger. They are creating new ways to feed themselves through the year and still have enough left over to sell for essentials like medicines, school books and clothing.

Farm Africa is about lasting solutions, not stopgap remedies. We don’t  ‘do’ food aid or handouts. We employ agricultural specialists on the ground who help farmers to double or triple their harvests by adopting smarter and greener techniques - like drought-busting seeds, disease-resistant plants, better-balanced animal feeds, more intelligent water-management and fresh ideas about transforming basic produce to push up its value at market. 
Donations to Farm Africa are investments with lasting impact.  Whether your company is sponsoring an event, encouraging payroll giving, choosing us as your Charity of the Year, holding a Work for Farm Africa Day, urging your staff to step up in one of our challenges, or sharing your expertise  or resources with pro bono support, your generosity and fundraising efforts can change the lives of thousands.  Farm Africa really is hugely grateful on their behalf for any help you give.

Farm Africa does what it says on the tin – it helps African farmers to farm Africa.  If like Ashley, you or your company would like to explore ways of working with this charity, please get in touch. We’d be delighted to discuss ideas or answer any questions you may have.”

Please contact on corporate@farmafrica.org or call Cathy Whiteman on  020 7430 0440.