Transforming the world’s food systems by empowering the world’s smallholder farmers.

The OpenAg Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation which will focus on promoting sustainable agriculture, farmer resilience, and food security. We believe agriculture has an incredible but under-utilised role to play as a tool to tackle climate change, meet energy needs, and bring about the transformation of rural communities worldwide.

With the OpenAg mission of collaboration, dialogue, and partnership central to our approach, we will work with farmers, businesses, and governments to develop and implement sustainable agricultural practices. We will also provide education, advocacy, and capacity building to help people all over the world understand the importance of sustainable agriculture and its role in the transformation of our shared food future.

We believe that farmers are the heroes responsible for placing healthy, nutritious meals on the tables of families the world over. We take their resilience, their dedication, and their enterprise as our inspiration, and want to bring people together to work hand-in-hand with farmers to build a fairer, more reliable, and more secure future for agriculture.

Purpose:

Farming is the backbone of our food systems, yet farmers, especially the world’s smallest farmers, are often unheard, unsupported, and underappreciated.

The OpenAg Foundation exists to change that.

We are building a future where farmers have power, respect, and the tools they need to thrive. Through radical collaboration, open knowledge sharing, and farmer first policies, we are working to transform agriculture into an industry that values and invests in the people who feed us all.

Mission:

We champion smallholder farmers by ensuring their voices shape the future of agriculture.

Through open collaboration, we bring together farmers, policymakers, and innovators to create real, practical solutions that work for those on the ground.

We fight for policies that put farmers first, promote sustainable practices, and build coalitions that drive lasting change.

Vision:

A world where smallholder farmers are recognised as the heart of our food system. A world where they have the tools, respect, and influence they deserve. A world where agriculture is built on fairness, sustainability, and collaboration. The OpenAg Foundation is here to make that vision a reality.

Case study

Bringing Clean Water to Zambia’s Rural Communties

The Urgent Need for Clean Water in Zambia

Access to clean water remains one of Zambia’s most pressing challenges. The World Bank estimates that only two-thirds of Zambians have access to clean drinking water, but this number drops to 49% in rural areas, where infrastructure is lacking. For communities like Keembe and Chibombo, this means daily struggles with unsafe water sources, long collection times, and serious health risks.

The threat to human health intensified in 2023 when Zambia faced a cholera outbreak, its worst since 2017. By January 2024, the country had recorded over 7,800 cases and 310 deaths, highlighting the devastating consequences of unsafe water and poor sanitation. With only 33% of Zambians having access to basic sanitation services, urgent interventions were needed to prevent further outbreaks and improve community health.

Our Solution: Boreholes for Sustainable Water Access

To address this crisis, The OpenAg Foundation has launched an ambitious initiative to drill 100 boreholes in Keembe and the wider Chibombo district. In November 2024, a mission team led by Board Member Chipokota Mwanawasa and OpenAg Foundation supporter Tania Shroff, successfully drilled 10 boreholes, providing safe and reliable drinking water to communities in dire need.

A single borehole can support 250–500 people, significantly reducing the risk of disease and easing the burden of water collection, especially for women and children. At an average cost of $2,069 per borehole, these installations are a lifeline for communities struggling with water scarcity.

The Impact: Health, Productivity, and Dignity

Each borehole is more than just a well—it is a pathway to better health, stronger livelihoods, and greater resilience against future health crises. With access to clean water, families in Keembe and Chibombo can: