Key Takeaways
- The OpenAg Foundation launched with a mission to boost food security and climate resilience for smallholder farmers
- Its first project, Water for Harmony, raised $1.3M and aims to drill 1,000 boreholes across Southern Africa
- The boreholes will provide clean water to people, livestock, and crops, reducing conflict over scarce resources
- The Foundation is chaired by Jai Shroff and supported by a board of international figures in politics, agriculture, and business
- Efforts will focus on technical aid, policy advocacy, and improving access to affordable agricultural inputs
The OpenAg Foundation Announces Launch and First Major Project in Southern Africa
The OpenAg Foundation, a newly formed non-profit organization focused on food security and agricultural resilience, was officially launched at an event in Cannes during the 2025 film festival. Its mission is to support smallholder farmers facing the growing impacts of climate change and to promote sustainable agriculture at a global scale.
The Foundation’s first initiative, Water for Harmony, will involve drilling 1,000 boreholes in drought-prone regions of Southern Africa. These boreholes are expected to supply clean drinking water to around one million people, benefiting both communities and their livestock, while helping irrigate crops in areas where rainfall has become increasingly unpredictable.
Water for Harmony: Boreholes for Resilience
The Water for Harmony initiative was introduced as a direct response to worsening drought conditions, highlighted in recent data from the Copernicus Global Drought Observatory. During the event, the campaign raised $1.3 million USD, with supporters invited to “adopt a borehole.” Each borehole is estimated to serve between 250 and 500 people.
The concept follows a pilot programme in Zambia, where 10 boreholes were installed in rural areas—addressing urgent water needs in a country where less than half the rural population has access to basic drinking water services.
Leadership and Board Composition
The OpenAg Foundation is chaired by Jai Shroff, a prominent advocate for sustainable agriculture. The Foundation’s board includes a diverse group of professionals from across the developing world:
- Mauricio Macri, Former President of Argentina and President of the FIFA Foundation
- Chipokota Mwanawasa, Zambian lawyer and agri-entrepreneur
- Sean de Cleene, Co-Chair Emeritus of Grow Africa
- Fatma Al Khater, Founder of Torba Farms, Qatar
- David Schaerli, private banker and lawyer
Additional leadership appointments, including the CEO, are expected to be announced soon.
Mission and Strategic Objectives of The OpenAg Foundation
According to its founding vision, the OpenAg Foundation will provide technical and financial assistance to smallholder farmers, support policy advocacy, and promote access to improved agricultural inputs, such as affordable and genetically enhanced seeds. The organization intends to work with governments, corporations, and civil society to scale solutions for sustainable food systems.
“We want to transition farmers to sustainable agricultural methods and build coalitions that create lasting change,” said Jai Shroff at the launch. “But too many of these farmers are living in extreme poverty, so we need to target their short-term survival and prosperity, too.”
