Through a joint intervention easily referred to as AIRTEA, the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA), the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), and the East Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF) are supporting farmers in Central Uganda to access noble life transforming innovations.
Gomba Farm and Environmental Association is a community of 29 farmers, youth, and women committed to advancing sustainable farming practices in Gomba, Mpigi district in Uganda. They have formed a cooperative society through which they jointly own and operate Gomba Farm Innovation Hub, which focuses on promoting sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation. The Cooperative is led by the former Member of the Ugandan Parliament, Hon. Sam Rwakoojo, who also serves as an elite farmer through whom best practices are easily and practically translated to the cooperative members and other spill-over beneficiaries.
AIRTEA is the acronym for the Strengthening Agricultural Knowledge and Ecosystem Innovation for Inclusive Rural Transformation in Eastern Africa (AIRTEA) project funded by the European Union (EU)—ACP Innovation Fund through the Office of the Organization of African Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS).
Through the Project, ASARECA, FARA and EAFF have mobilized the capacities and resources of the 50 organizations to implement 11 innovation projects that include public agriculture research institutions, public and private universities, private sector firms, farmer organizations, ministries of agriculture and district local governments.
The Gomba Farm Innovation Hub is one of the transformative initiatives of the AIRTEA project that is helping to build a morerewarding and sustainable future for dairy farmers.
Hon. Sam Rwakoojo, Chairperson of Gomba Farm and Environmental Association Cooperative
Through the intervention, Gomba Farm and Environmental Association received support and resources to enhance their capacity to promote sustainable agricultural practices and environmental conservation in their community. The projectalso provided the Cooperative access to new research, technologies, and information on best agriculture practices, opportunities for farmers to network, share knowledge, and learn from each other. The hub offers a range of training, mentorship, and peer-to-peer learning programs that enhance the growth of the farming community. Hon. Rwakoojo, the Chairman of the group, brings a wealth of experience andknowledge that add value to the activities of the farmers.
AGRENES demonstrating to Project partners how the Biogas Digester works
The AIRTEA third party project on Retaining Next Generation Farmers in Agribusiness through Enhanced Knowledge Sharing Platforms along the Dairy and selected Grain Value Chains in Uganda is one of eleven third-party projects that receive technical and financial support from the (EU). It is implemented by Agriculture Environment and Ecosystem (AGRENES) in partnership with FLEED TECH, AGRILIV, NARO, Makerere University, AGRITECH, and other key stakeholders, including local multipliers such as the Uganda Muslim Women Civilization Initiative (UMWCI) and Dairy Farmers Network (DAFAN).
The activities of the Cooperative have transformed the agricultural value chains to impact on livelihoods through its cutting-edge innovations that promote efficiency and productively. Some of the innovations are profiled below:
Drought Tolerant Cowshed and Zero Grazing System
Drought Tolerant Cow Shed
Zero grazing of cattle in the drought tolerant shed
This innovative technology helps to improve cattle breeding by introducing more productive and disease-resistant breeds of cows. Farmers use the zero-grazing system, which involves keeping the animals in the specially designed, drought-tolerant cowshed, to manage these breeds. This system not only increases the productivity of the animals but also makes them more resilient to diseases.
Biogas digester
The Biogas digester is a revolutionary innovation that has brought positive change to the lives of farmers. Farmers in the hub have been supported to set up bio digesters in their homes, which have helped them in cooking without having to cut down trees for fuel. This has not only saved them time and energy, but has also supported the group’s efforts to conserve the environment.
Biogas digester an Innovation funded by the project
AGRENES demonstrating the functionality of the Biogas digester
The bio-digester works by breaking down organic waste such as cow dung, kitchen waste, and other organic waste into biogas. The gas produced is used for cooking, lighting, heating and other domestic uses. . This has helped them save money on energy bills and has provided them with a clean and sustainable source of energy.
Use of Silage Bags
The technology is a revolutionary method of storing cattle feed for extended periods. It involves the use of airtight bags.
Silage bags used for storage
This technology is especially useful during drought spells when there is a shortage of feed. Farmers in cooperatives have embraced this method as it allows them to pick up the feed as needed for their animals. Individual farmers have also adopted this technology on their farms, as it offers a reliable and convenient way to store and access feed for their animals.
Pasture Demonstration Garden
The pasture demonstration garden serves as a source of fodder for cows, with a range of crops grown including lablab, forage sorghum, millet, grain sorghum, hay, and domesticated silage.
Pasture Field site
Vegetables for Consumption
In addition to supplying vegetables for home consumption, the garden also provides a valuable educational and demonstration resource for farmers in the cooperative. Those who were previously not familiar with the various types of fodder have had the opportunity to cultivate them on their farms and expand their knowledge. Overall, the garden serves as a multifunctional tool for both feeding livestock and advancing agricultural knowledge among local farmers.
Hay Storage Unit
The cooperative has set up a dedicated hay storage unit for use during times of drought. This helps ensure that all farmers have access to feed for their livestock, even when the weather conditions are unfavorable. The unit promotes sustainability in the farming community and supports the local economy.
Hay Storage Unit
Figure 12: AIRTEA Monitoring and Evaluation team together with implementing partner AGRENES
During a recent monitoring and evaluation visit by FARA, ASARECA and EAFF, the team observed positive changes in livelihoods through farmers’ feedback and testimonies. The team also learnt of some challenges including over reliance on intermediaries to sell milk, leading to low income.
The team resolved to provide the corporative with a milk cooling facilityto help farmers keep the milk until they are ready to sell it to competitive markets.
Despite the abundant resources that Africa is endowed with, the continent has been faced with several challenges, among them, access to markets, access to finance, and climate change, among others.
To offer solutions to the predicament African countries are faced with resulted in the actualisation of the Malabo Declaration in 2014. The Malabo declaration aim is to transform the agriculture sector. To enable the transformation and growth of the agriculture sector, The Malabo Declaration is anchored on seven pillars, which include; first, Recommitment to the principles and values of the CAADP process. Second, Enhancing investment finance in agriculture. Third, Ending hunger by 2025. Fourth, Halving poverty agriculture by 2025. Fifth, Boosting Intra-Africa trade in agricultural commodities and services. Sixth, Enhancing resilience to climate change and seventh, Enhancing mutual accountability for actions and results.
The pillars seek to collectively contribute to Africa’s agricultural transformation, poverty reduction and shared prosperity.
During the National Knowledge Management, Data capture, and monitoring/reporting Malabo commitments training workshop in Lusaka, Zambia from March 25 to 27, 2024 organised by Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA) with financial support of the EU-funded CAADP-X4 Programme, Indaba for Agricultural Policy Research Institute Senior Researcher Auckland Kuteya, offered some insights into the implantation of the Malabo commitment, noting that Zambia had made strides in reviewing the National Agriculture Plan 2014-2018 to inform the formulation of the second National Agriculture Investment Plan (2NAIP).
“The lessons learnt were useful in the formulation of the Comprehensive Agricultural Transformation Support Programme (CATSP) and the NAIP which has already been validated,” Mr Kuteya said.
Auckland Kuteya, Senior Researcher, IAPRI
Mr. Kuteya said the major programmes under the 2NAIP/CATSP are already being implemented and are aligned to the Eighthly National Development Plan (2002-2026).
He also said a national technical working group was already constituted as well as trained and established the reporting process to help track activities in line with the Malabo declaration, adding that even data clusters were established to facilitate data collection and validation.
Mr. Kuteya explained that one of the pillars focused on achieving 10 percent allocation to the agriculture budget thereby making significant gains and also timely releases.
“The budgetary allocation to the agriculture sector has been steadily going up nominally,” said Mr. Kuteya.
Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock under Department of Policy and Planning Information Department Assistant Director Timothy Tonga stated that government has established a livestock breeding centre.
Timothy Tonga, Assistant Director, Ministry of Fisheries & Livestock
Mr. Tonga explained that government has invested US50million in aquaculture. The funds have also been made available to players in the value chain under the aquaculture seed fund.
“Farmers are accessing funds at 12 percent which is affordable meant to upscale their aquaculture activities,” he said.
Mr. Tonga noted that the increased investment in the aquaculture value chain is meant to promote more farmers embark on aquaculture, as it has attracted interest from Botswana.
And Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Principal Statistician Mweembwa Chijoka concurred that there was increased support to fingerlings production.
Mweembwa Chijoka, Principal Statistician, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock
“There has been tremendous increase of fingerlings from over 200 million in 2020 to over 400 million in 2023,” Mr. Chijoka said.
He revealed that some neighbouring countries have shown interest and potential, which is a glimmer of hope given the increased market to produce and export.
While, to improve the seed system in Zambia, there is need to continuously support farmer communities to harness indigenous seeds.
As CIAT Zambia Country Representative Emily Banda acknowledges that though Zambia is regarded as having a good seed system, stating that Zambia is among the top three countries in Africa, there is need to embrace indigenous seed and also promote indigenous foods in communities.
Emily Banda, Country Representative, CIAT Zambia
And Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme Youth Network Zambia Susanna Phiri says raising pasture must be prioritised in farming communities so that its available within communities to avoid depletion of grazing areas.
Susanna Phiri, Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Youth Network Zambia
Achieving the Malabo commitments in the long-term requires the participation of various players across sectors to work collaboratively in driving the agriculture agenda, only then will the transformation and growth of the agriculture sector be attained.
Authored by the Principal Agricultural Information Officer for the National Agricultural Information Services (NAIS)
The agriculture sector is critical to unlocking Africa’s potential, given that over 60 percent of the continent’s population is dependent on it. Despite Africa’s abundant potential, enormous challenges exist, such as poor access to inputs and markets and unsustainable practices. To address some of these concerns, the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) framework aims to transform the agriculture sector.
The need to raise awareness of the Malabo and CAADP frameworks is apparent. Therefore, the Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA), through an EU-funded CAADP-XP4 Programme, organized a National Knowledge Management, Data capture, and monitoring/reporting Malabo commitments training workshop in Lusaka, Zambia, from March 25 to 27, 2024. The workshop drew participants from government ministries, researchers, and various stakeholders, including non-state actors such as farmer organizations.
The objective of the meeting was to familiarise the participants with knowledge management and data capture guidelines. More importantly, there was a need to establish a Knowledge Management Community of Practice that understands and can facilitate better monitoring of the national implementation of the Malabo declaration and sensitize the public to food security commitments. In addition, for the stakeholders to stay up to date, they need to disseminate Zambia’s 4th Biennial Review Report performance results. Ultimately, the media is mandated to raise awareness on key issues that impact communities and ensure coherence by promoting collaboration among national stakeholders in addressing the Malabo declaration commitments.
Ministry of Agriculture Chief Agriculture Officer Morton Mwanza said the Malabo commitments enhance resilience and production in African countries, including Zambia. They provide a visionary direction to ensure the growth of the agriculture sector despite some problematic issues, such as poor access to markets and inputs.
Mr. Mwanza explains that the agriculture sector employs over 70 percent of the workforce. This indicates that the sector has the potential to positively contribute to poverty reduction and employment.
“The Malabo Commitments are a vehicle to transforming the agriculture sector. This is the reason the government needs to track the Malabo commitments and at what stage we are at and strive to meet and reflect on how we have reached the stage we are at,” Mr. Mwanza clarified.
Mr. Kapulu Ndashe, Deputy Director, Zambia Agriculture Research Institute
In his official remarks, Zambia Agriculture Research Institute Deputy Director Kapulu Ndashe stated that the Malabo declaration and CAADP are not only frameworks but are well aligned to national development aspirations as they embody the significance of the agriculture sector.
Dr. Ndashe said that there is a need to invest in the agriculture sector to prioritize and address the youthful pathway. The importance of reflecting on the Malabo and CAADP performance for Zambia is that they are some of the initiatives which offer us a road map towards a more prosperous, sustainable, and food secure future”, Dr Ndashe said.
He reiterated the need for key players to commit themselves to attain the Malabo targets, knowing that the country’s collective efforts today will shape the agricultural landscape of Zambia for generations to come,” Dr Ndashe echoed.
He also acknowledged that knowledge management is the “cornerstone upon which the pillars of the Malabo declaration rest.”
Knowledge management offers a repertoire of information that harnesses collective wisdom, experiences, and innovations of Africa to foster an agricultural revolution that is not only inclusive but also sustainable.
Dr Ndashe says that addressing specific regional needs and challenges requires leveraging data and information, which is better placed to enforce appropriate interventions.
Simply put, the impacts of investments are informed by what information is shared on learning platforms to ensure that funds are directed towards the most effective and transformative interventions.
Dr. Frank Kayula, President, National Association for Small-Scale Farmers (Zambia)
“The commitment to ending hunger by 2025 requires a concerted effort to improve food security across our diverse landscapes,” Dr Ndashe reaffirmed.
CCARDESA Information, Communication, and Knowledge Management Officer Bridget Kakuwa-Kasongamulilo emphasized the role CCARDESA is playing through a systematic approach: contributing to social and economic growth through information provision and fostering collaboration.
Mrs. Kasongamulilo added that including women and youth helps support and strengthen the capacity of government, farmer organizations, researchers, and all 16 member states.
Responding to a question on whether CCARDESA plans to engage in fisheries programs, Dr. Frank Kayula, President of the National Association for Small-Scale Farmers and also a CCARDESA Board Member, said, “Previously, there were no fisheries programs, but now several project proposals handling components targeting fisheries and eco-rangelands have been developed to ensure all critical sectors are comprehensively included.”
To achieve some of the aspirations of the Malabo Declaration, Zambia needs to focus on strengthening the agricultural extension services, research institutions, farmer organizations, and policy coordination mechanisms. This should be reinforced by investing in institutional capacity building at both local and national levels; only then will tangible results be achieved.
Authored by the Principal Agricultural Information Officer for the National Agricultural Information Services (NAIS).
The AFREXIMBANK Headquarters played host to a significant technical engagement on March 15th and 16th, 2024. The event brought together key stakeholders from the Common African Agro-Parks (CAAPs), with a particular focus on representatives from the Zambia-Zimbabwe CAAP (ZimZam CAAP) and the Cote d’Ivoire-Ghana Cocoa CAAP (CIG CAAP).
Chaired by Dr. Janet Edeme, Head of Department at the African Union Commission (AUC), and Mr. Zitto Alfayo, Head of Project Preparation Unit at AFREXIMBANK, the meeting focused on the readiness of CAAPs projects for funding through AFREXIMBANK.
The meeting commenced with a series of key messages outlining the significance of CAAPs in advancing agro-industrial development across Africa. AFREXIMBANK reaffirmed its commitment to collaborate with AUC and CAAPs stakeholders to mobilize $20.8 million for the implementation of the 7 CAAPs Programme Clusters, with a particular focus on kickstarting ZimZam and CIG CAAPs initiatives.
Updates and prospects regarding CAAPs were presented, highlighting its alignment with Agenda 2063 aspirations and the endorsement of CAAPs as a flagship program. Challenges in securing stable financial resources for CAAPs coordination activities were acknowledged, prompting discussions on leadership commitments and the establishment of a CAAPs Fund at AFREXIMBANK.
The meeting also addressed funding modalities through the Project Preparation Facility (APPF) and the proposed Joint Project Preparation Facility (JPPF), emphasizing the need for tailored approaches to accommodate the unique requirements of CAAPs projects.
Updates on ZimZam CAAP and CIG CAAP showcased progress in project preparation, with discussions focused on finalizing feasibility studies and securing necessary approvals. Action plans were outlined to expedite project readiness and engage relevant stakeholders.
Dr. Janet Edeme expressed optimism about the outcomes of the meeting, stating, “This engagement marks a crucial step forward in realizing the potential of CAAPs projects to drive sustainable development and intra-African trade. The collaboration between AFREXIMBANK, AUC, FARA and other stakeholders underscores our collective commitment to transforming the agricultural landscape in Africa.”
Looking ahead, the CAAPs Secretariat at FARA will continue to work closely with AFREXIMBANK and other partners to ensure the timely implementation of CAAPs projects, further advancing the continent’s agro-industrialization agenda.
The RMRN Project is funded by the European Union (EU) as part of its Regional Multi-year Indicative Programme (MIP) for Africa. The MIP will support strengthening the consortia of Africa based institutions to lead interventions in Africa in several domains including multi-stakeholder partnerships to bring agroecological innovations to scale, using co-learning, co-creation, and multi-stakeholder approach. The Africa-based and Africa-led research organisations include FARA, CORAF, ASARECA, CCARDESA, universities under the RUFORUM Network and Africa in general and other research institutions. The proposed actions will promote partnership with relevant institutions such as Farmer organizations under the Pan African Farmers Organization (PAFO), extension institutions under the African Forum for Agricultural Advisory services (AFAAS), NGOs, CSOs, the private sector, and financial institutions. The project targets countries in Eastern, Western, Southern and Central Africa. The initiative fits within the EU’s alignment to the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity to help eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities, and achieve sustainable development. The proposed action is also highly relevant to the AU-EU partnership on agriculture and food systems development priorities.
Group photo of Partner representatives and participating organizations
Agroecology has been suggested as a promising concept for reconciling agricultural production and environmental sustainability by optimizing ecological processes that deliver ecosystem services (ES) to replace external inputs. Agroecology, defined as the application of ecological concepts and principals in farming is one of the holistic approaches that has been identified to enable understanding agriculture within the context of various interacting economic, environmental, and social systems and contribute to food security and improved livelihood among the rural communities. The transition towards agroecological food systems and the development of both productive and resilient farming systems and value chains are complex processes and requires new knowledge, competencies, and policies to address complex problems, co-create solution based on agroecological principles and integrate scientific and local knowledge.
Dr. Aggrey Agumya, Executive Director (FARA) addressing partners and participants during Day 1 of the RMRN Inception Meetings and Field visits to NaCORI and RUFORUM
All institutions in the project pledged commitment and synergies to ensure that the initiative contributes to a sustainable food system for Africa.On their part, Prof. Patrick Okori, Executive Secretary of RUFORUM and Dr. Aggrey Agumya, both leaders of the continental implementing institutions emphasized how this initiative will further strengthening and existing collaborationand synergies among the Africa Agricultural Research, Education, and Innovations Institutions (AAREII). On behalf of the African Union Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Gariba, a Senior Communications Specialist representing the AUC, pledged the full commitment of the Commission to the realization of the project’s objectives.
Dr. Aggrey Agumya, Executive Director (FARA) shaking hand with Prof. Patrick Okori following the project MoU signing.
To officially launch the Project, theMinister of State for Animal Industryof the Republic of Uganda, Hon. Bright KanyontoreRwamirama,stated that, “we are no longer talking about production but productivity due to the challenges faced by increased population. Science is the way to go and where renowned scientists are gathered like this, it is an opportunity to think differently and do things differently to achieve and sustain Africa’s prosperity.”Also present at the inception meeting were the Executive Directors and/or representatives of AFAAS, CCARDESA, CORAF, ASARECA, PAFO/EAFF, NARO and delegation from the EU including EC-JRC, EC-INTPA and the EC-Delegation to Uganda.
Hon. Bright Kanyontore Rwamirama, Minister of State for Animal Industry of the Republic of Uganda
As outlined by the Coordinator of the Project, Dr. Kwaku Antwi, the project has three main objectives :
Strengthened scientific and technological capacities of RMRNs in Agroecology to produce, collect, access, process, share data / information and carry out research activities using a gender-sensitive approach.
Increased RMRNs contribution in agroecology through transformative quality research and scientific knowledge generation and dissemination.
Enhanced gender-sensitive support to agroecology practitioners, scientists, and policymakers.
Dr. Kwaku Antwi addressing the congregation of partners and participants
At the end of the three years of the project, technical capacities and skill of researchers and scientists would have been built to carry out scientific studies in agroecology; improved infrastructural access by the RMRNs to carry out quality research and studies in Agroecology; available and accessible quality agroecology knowledge products and information; platform for knowledge exchange and information sharing/exchange would have been established; improved research-policy linkage; strengthened collaboration between the RMRNs and the Pan-African Network for economic Analysis of Policies (PANAP), and increased Advocacy for agroecology principles and practices; he concluded.
