Ruhengeri, Musanze, March 24-28, 2025 – The Strengthening Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Ecosystem for Inclusive Rural Transformation and Livelihoods in Eastern Africa #AIRTEA project, a transformative initiative aimed at strengthening agricultural knowledge and innovation ecosystems in Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, held its official close-out and capitalization meeting in Rwanda. This event brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from academic and research institutions, government agencies, farmer cooperatives, and SMEs, to share the project’s key successes, challenges, and lessons learned.
Since its inception in February 2021, the AIRTEA project has significantly contributed to bridging gaps in agricultural knowledge and innovation in East Africa. By focusing on empowering women and youth through entrepreneurial skills and inclusive platforms, the project has transformed rural economies and strengthened food systems. Among its notable achievements, AIRTEA has established and strengthened multi-stakeholder innovation platforms across Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, trained farmers in improved agricultural practices, developed digital tools to enhance agricultural knowledge-sharing and market access, and fostered market linkages for key crops, including cassava, potatoes, and indigenous vegetables. It has also promoted value-added products and agribusiness mentorship to improve profitability and employment opportunities.
Over the past three years, third-party projects under AIRTEA have implemented various initiatives across multiple agricultural value chains, including aquaculture, crops, livestock, and ICT. Through a competitive grants scheme, the project provided funding to third-party actors to support innovation and sustainable practices in agriculture. As the initiative reaches its final phase, this meeting served as a platform to capture and disseminate best practices and innovative approaches that have emerged during implementation.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Telesphore Ndabamenye, Director General of the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board, commended the AIRTEA third-party projects for empowering women and youth by enhancing their entrepreneurial skills and providing them with access to inclusive platforms.
The close-out meeting was conducted as a five-day in-person event from March 24-28, 2025, in Musanze District, in the Northern Province of Rwanda. Sessions included PowerPoint presentations, stakeholder discussions, and interactive knowledge-sharing activities to ensure a comprehensive review of the project’s impact. Participants engaged in meaningful conversations about how the project’s achievements could be scaled and sustained beyond its official timeline.
The primary aim of the meeting was to assess the impact of the AIRTEA project and compile valuable insights gained during its execution. The discussions focused on documenting and sharing the project’s successes, challenges, and lessons learned, as well as identifying and disseminating best practices and innovative approaches. Additionally, the event provided an opportunity to foster collaboration and networking among stakeholders while informing future programming and policy directions in beneficiary countries.
The meeting resulted in several key outcomes, including the development of a comprehensive report detailing the achievements, challenges, and lessons learned from third-party projects. An inventory of best practices, success stories, case studies, and lessons was compiled to inform future project design and implementation. The event also strengthened networks among stakeholders and partners, fostering continued collaboration. Moreover, actionable recommendations were developed for future programming and policy decisions aimed at enhancing agricultural transformation in the region.
By leveraging collaboration and digital innovation, AIRTEA has played a critical role in enhancing agricultural production, processing, and market access, particularly for women and youth. As the project concludes, stakeholders promised to remain committed to sustaining its impact and scaling up its successful initiatives to ensure continued growth in the agricultural sector. The outcomes of this meeting will serve as a roadmap for future agricultural development programs, reinforcing the importance of knowledge-sharing and multi-stakeholder engagement in driving sustainable agricultural transformation in East Africa.
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.
The Kenya Fish Marketing Authority (KFMA), a budding state agency established in 2016, has intensified efforts to enhance production and consumption of fish and fisheries products in Kenya. Despite the many nutritional benefits of eating fish, the delicacy is still shunned by some consumers. In addition to being rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins such as D and B2, fish is also a great source of calcium and phosphorus, iron, zinc, iodine, magnesium, and potassium.
Speaking at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, the KFMA Board Chair, Hon. Martin Ogindo, said that among the strategic targets for the Authority is to expand the contribution of the fish industry to the national economy from the current Kshs. 30 billion to Kshs. 150 billion in the next three years.
Hon. Ogindo and Eng. Onyango learn how the two-screw laboratory food extruder works at JKUAT
This, he explained, would be achieved through abatement of postharvest loss, introduction of new value-added fish products, tightening quality assurance of fish products, and tapping on the research and technical expertise for informed evidence-based decision and policy making.
“People have started liking fish. Even in places where fish was not traditionally consumed, the commodity is becoming quite popular,” Ogindo said.
Hon. Ogindo, who was accompanied to JKUAT by the KFMA CEO, Eng. Samuel Onyango, added that they would be keen to learn about the avenues for transfer of the University’s technologies in the blue economy space, where fishery resources are a major component.
The Principal, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (COANRE), Prof. Daniel Sila, informed the visiting team that JKUAT had honed targeted capabilities in sustainable exploitation of blue economy resources. These strengths encompass various innovations in aquaculture, human capital development, and extensive networks.
Some of the forays of JKUAT in the space include working with stakeholders to boost the economic value of silver cyprinid fish, locally known as omena through promotion of consumption and reduction in postharvest loses.
Prof. Sila (third right), Hon. Ogindo (third left) Eng. Onyango (second left) and Prof. Ojijo (left) with other others after the meeting
Prof. Nelson Ojijo from the Department of Food Science & Technology who is the Principal Investigator in the collaborative research project on omena value chain upgrading, said that omena forms the bulk of fish landings from Lake Victoria and supports over two million livelihoods. The omena value chain upgrading project is a sub-component of the regional project dubbed “Strengthening Agricultural Knowledge & Innovation Ecosystem for Inclusive Rural Transformation & Livelihoods in Eastern Africa (AIRTEA)” funded by the EU and coordinated by the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA).
Through the project, JKUAT and partners (Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, JKUAT Enterprises Ltd, and Beach Management Units at Dunga, Kisumu County, and Marenga, Busia County) have deployed hybrid (solar and biomass) greenhouse fish drying units at Dunga Beach in Kisumu County and Marenga Omena Beach in Busia County, which are the two project sites. The hybrid unit can dry omena in just three hours leading to significant reduction in postharvest loses.
“Fish is a highly perishable product and fisherfolk can lose up to 50% of landed catch depending on the weather and storage conditions,” Prof. Ojijo noted adding that only 30% of the harvested omena is used for food as the rest is either wasted or utilised to produce animal feeds.
The KFMA officials noted that a partnership with JKUAT would enable the Authority to realize its objectives, which include reducing post-harvest loses from the current average of 30% to below 10%.
Eng. Samuel Onyango noted that fish production in Kenya stood at 163,702 tons in 2021. He added that the sector is currently facing a number of challenges including low adoption of technology, uneven distribution of gains, lack of value-addition technologies and poor state of beach access roads
The per capita fish consumption in Kenya is relatively low and currently stands at 4.5 kg/person/year compared to Africa’s average of 10 kg/person/year. The global average consumption is 20 kg/person/year. The value-added omena-based products currently being developed by Prof. Ojijo and his team under the EU-funded project will go a long way in promoting fish consumption throughout the country.
Kenya currently has 445 documented fish landing points presenting a huge potential for integrated product visioning and value addition.
The meeting between the JKUAT and KFMA teams identified key areas for potential collaborative efforts between the two institutions.
Accra, Ghana – The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) ex-Pillar IV( CAADPXP4) partners, in collaboration with the Strengthening agricultural knowledge and the innovation ecosystem for inclusive rural transformation and livelihoods in Eastern Africa (AIRTEA) Consortium led by the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), have commenced the Agribusiness Learning Alliances (ABLA) Proof of Concept Workshop in Accra, Ghana today.
The two-day workshop brought together key stakeholders and experts to review and articulate the ABLA concept, develop a methodology for establishing the ABLA proof of concept, and explore its potential to enhance economic value derived from innovation platforms.
In his opening remarks, the executive Director of FARA, Dr Aggrey Agumya expressed his delight to see all partners reconnecting for this important concept. He emphasized that this engagements will lead to the formulation of approaches for enhancing outcomes and impact of research and innovation.
He added that “We have a unique opportunity to make history by definitively formulating and framing the methodology for testing a concept that will revolutionize IPs and ultimately the livelihoods of farmers and other value chain actors, especially women and youth.
This innovative approach seeks to strengthen the business dimension of Innovation Platforms, ultimately improving the economic value derived from these platforms.
African agriculture has long grappled with challenges such as low technology adoption, limited resources, and insufficient institutional collaboration. To address these issues, Innovation Platforms (IPs) were established, aiming to foster collaboration between research, producers, the private sector, extension services, and policy. However, these platforms have not fully realized their potential for economic efficiency and increased profitability for farm enterprises.
This collaborative effort between CAADP-XP4 and AIRTEA Consortium led by FARA marks a significant step towards revolutionizing African agriculture, promoting economic growth, and enhancing the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
These third-party projects have been launched in Nairobi, Kenya, and are currently engaged in a 5-day planning workshop to ensure synergies and a collective impact on the project outcomes.
In the opening remarks of the Executive Director of FARA, Dr. Yemi Akinbmijo reiterated that the AIRTEA’s focus on innovation is based on evidence assembled by FARA, ASARECA, EAFF, and other SROs over many years. One of the novelties introduced by AIRTEA is the concept of “Agribusiness Learning Alliances.” It is aimed at supporting the transition of farmers’ groups from subsistence to profitable and dynamic businesses.
He gratefully acknowledged the KCB Foundation for taking interest in the AIRTEA project. “We are optimistic that our discussions and your engagement in this kick-off will lead to a collaborative arrangement aimed at deepening the benefits derived by the end-users of the AIRTEA project and expanding its reach.”
FARA is coordinating the overall project, which includes knowledge management #KM4AgDchallenge support to ensure that it meets its objectives and is sustainable.
Experiences will be drawn from the PAEPARD project, amongst others, and will explore the use of proven approaches for agricultural development, including the Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships (MSP), the User-Led Process (ULP), the IAR4D Innovation Platforms, the Agri-Business Learning Alliances (ABLA), and the Knowledge Management for Agricultural Development (KM4AgD) agenda, amongst others.
The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), together with the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA) and the East African Farmers’ Federation (EAFF) are pleased to announce that the eleven (11) Third-Party Projects listed in the table below have been selected for funding under the project “Strengthening Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Ecosystem for Inclusive Rural Transformation and Livelihoods in Eastern Africa” (AIRTEA). The AIRTEA project is supported by the Organization of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) through the ACP Innovation Fund which is funded by the European Union (EU). The AIRTEA project is being implemented in three countries (Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda) under FARA, ASARECA and EAFF coordination.
The selection of the 11 third-party projects was overseen by the three coordinating institutions and followed a rigorous and competitive evaluation process involving 112 proposals that were submitted in response to the AIRTEA call.Third-party projects will start from March 1, 2022, for two and a half years.
FARA, ASARECA and EAFF congratulate the consortia that conceived and developed the 11 third-party projects selected for funding. We wish to register our strong appreciation of the 101 consortia that responded to the AIRTEA project call with proposals that were not selected. We wish the consortia responsible for implementing the selected projects success in delivering the expected outcomes and impact of the AIRTEA project and look forward to working with them towards this goal.
No
Name of Project
Lead Institution
Project country(ies)
1
Harnessing multi-stakeholder innovation platforms for knowledge transfer and aquaculture value chain development in Uganda
Abi Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Abi)
Uganda
2
Enhancing inclusive market access for African Indigenous Vegetable seed and value-added products by Smallholder farmers in Uganda
Uganda Christian University (UCU)
Uganda
3
Upgrading of silver cyprinid (Rastrineobola argentea) value chain through multi-stakeholder partnerships and novel climate-smart postharvest processing technologies and practices for improved rural livelihoods
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)
Kenya
4
Strengthening cassava innovation ecosystem and knowledge transfer for inclusive rural livelihoods development in Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda
University of Nairobi (UoN)
Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda
5
Digital Connectors for farming communities
Africa Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS)
Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda
6
Unlocking productivity within small holder farming systems through use of geospatial technology (GIS), artificial intelligence and biological technologies in the face of climate change
Koppert Biological Systems (KBS)
Kenya
7
Promoting technologies and innovations for improving access to quality potato seeds by small holder farmer through strengthening potato seed systems and multi-stakeholder collaboration in Rwanda
Seed Potato Fund Joint Ventures Ltd (SPF)
Rwanda
8
Technology Transfer through Innovation Systems: Enhancing Smallholder farmers’ capacity for profitable and sustainable potato production
Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB)
Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda
9
Leveraging The Benefits of Multi Stakeholders Partnership to Support Rural Women and Youth in Dairy Sector in Kenya
Cooperatives Alliance of Kenya
Kenya
10
Retaining next generation farmers in agribusiness through enhanced knowledge sharing platforms along with the dairy and selected grain value chains in Uganda
AGRENES (Agriculture, Environment, and Ecosystems) Limited
Uganda
11
Youth Leading Changes in Resilient Private Extension and Advisory Services for Job and Wealth Creation
