Cathrin Sylvester

Growing up in the slums of Kibera, Cathrin experienced the challenges of poverty firsthand. These formative experiences have endowed her with unwavering positivity and resilience.

In her role as “Community Lead” at the social enterprise MOTHERLAND, Cathrin holds a key position. With great empathy, she understands the needs of smallholder farmers and collaborates with her team to develop solutions. Her commitment goes far beyond mere coordination tasks – she is a bridge builder, bringing together various startups to create an ecosystem that maximizes the potential of all involved and sustainably strengthens the farmers’ value chain.

Cathrin exemplifies the transformative power of MOTHERLAND – an organization that ignites a spark in people like her, sending rays of hope and change into the world far beyond their own life stories.

The social enterprise MOTHERLAND connects local startups, smallholder farmers, and education efforts to bring about sustainable change for rural communities in Africa. As an “Ecosystem Orchestrator,” it links Kenyan smallholder farmers with innovative African startups. This creates new solutions to improve various value chains in local agriculture, leading to increased incomes for the farmers. To inspire the next generation for regenerative agriculture at a young age, MOTHERLAND also offers numerous hands-on activities for young people.

An Africa where no farmer is left behind. A future with fairly paid, resilient, and sustainable agriculture that creates prosperity and health for all.

MOTHERLAND does not see itself as a direct solution provider, but as an “Ecosystem Orchestrator.” In this role, the social enterprise works closely with African smallholder farmers to understand their needs. At the same time, MOTHERLAND identifies local startups that can address these challenges.

Since the offerings of the startups alone represent only partial solutions, MOTHERLAND initiates and coordinates the collaboration of several startups. In this way, the startups are supported in unlocking new potentials, and gaps in the farmers’ value chain are closed.

In a pilot project in Kenya, the software solution “eProd” optimizes harvest planning, communication, and payment processing. The startup “duhqa” uses this data to match supply and demand and organize logistics. “KOAN” trains farmers in effective harvesting and post-harvest techniques to minimize losses. As a result, smallholder farmers can increase their yields by 20-25% and significantly boost their revenue.

In the coming years, this integrated approach will be tailored to millions of additional farmers across Africa, with the selection of participating startups customized to local needs.

Additional profits from the initiative flow into a community fund that supports educational programs such as the “Young Earth Guardians” project. This program inspires children and young people with the approach of regenerative agriculture and provides them with practical knowledge of sustainable farming methods.