{Faith Maiyo): A cross section of participants drawn from farmers, county government, private sector, community based organisations, national and International NGOs who participated in the event.

As part of the drive towards scanning and generating information on smallholder farmers practices in embracing agroecological practices across Murang’a County, BvAT’s Farmer Communication Programme (FCP) organized a co creation workshop to build knowledge through the collective process of producing data and evidence on current agroecological practices in the region. The participants had an opportunity to propose suitable FCP activities by identifying opportunities to support agroecological transition processes within the various agroecological zones.  

This event, officially opened by Dr. Kiringai Kamau Agriculture, Livestock, and cooperatives CECM, and led by FCP coordinator Mr. Fredrick Ochieng was held at the Nokras Hotel in Murang’a town from 18^th to 19^th March 2024.

During his opening remarks, Dr. Kiringai Kamau, Agriculture, Livestock, and cooperatives CECM, showered FCP with tributes.  He expressed his confidence in BvAT work in Murang’a and called for an MoU between BvAT and the County Government. He acknowledged BvAT’s efforts in improving the livelihoods of Murang’a farmers and pledged his support to ensure that the partnership with the county is a success.

The workshop brought together various stakeholders and representatives from the private sector, County Government officials, Community Based Organisations, national and international NGOs, and farmers.

Other notable figures present like the agriculture Chief Officer Dr. Apollo Maina and County Director of Agriculture Mr. Peter Muchiri shared insights into the importance of co-creation. They emphasized that the co creation workshop is a necessary platform bringing together key players with different expertise thus providing a stage for sharing experiences and knowledge.

The Co-Design workshop concluded with election of advisory committee for Agro-Ecology, underscoring the commitment to inclusive decision-making and expertise-driven initiatives. The diverse team was assembled to guide FCP activities and content development and dissemination in its various channels, its members drawn from farmers, County Government, Media, Research Institute, and the academia.

The successful co design workshop marked a milestone in advancing sustainable agricultural practices in Murang’a County.

Prepared by Musdalafa Lyaga and Magdalene Wangeci 

The State Minister, Mr. Fred Bwino 5^th from right with EOA-I and KCOA delegation

The EOA Secretariat had the pleasure of hosting the Ugandan State Minister for Agriculture, Animal Husbandry & Fisheries, Hon Fredrick Bwino Kyakulaga at the BIOFACH trade fair that took place in February 2024 in Nuremburg, Germany. He was accompanied by the BvAT- EOA team of Dr David Amudavi, Ms Venancia Wambua and Alex Mutungi. Uganda is one of the leading countries in the implementation of EOA in Africa and has developed a National Organic Policy. The Minister alongside the EOA team, attended side networking meetings, presentations, and toured organic exhibitions. Based on his experience at the BIOFACH 2024 trade fair, the State Minister has promised to present a brief on the potential of organic trade in Uganda and Africa to the President of Uganda with the aim of passing the National Organic Bill that is currently in Parliament.

Biovision Africa Trust (BvAT) is glad to announce its role in the coordination of the new Agroecology Promotion Project (APP) for the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) component. The APP is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and will be launched this month in May. It is anticipated to potentially have significant positive impacts on food systems transformation through agroecology interventions. 

The overall goal of the APP is Agroecology – inclusive to like-minded approaches – is broadly promoted as a pathway for food systems transformation to truly sustainable, resilient, and dynamic food and farming systems, worldwide and particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. The APP will run for a period of 4 years from 2024-2028. Partners involved in SSA component include Biovision Africa Trust, AFRONET, Pelum Association, Pelum Kenya and Agroecology fund with a global component that will be coordinated by IFOAM Organics International.

Prepared by Venancia Wambua

The Louis Dreyfus Foundation funds Biovision Africa Trust for a period of 3 years (2024-2027) to scale up agroecological and organic agriculture practices through a project titled “Enhancing food and nutrition, market linkages and resilient livelihoods for smallholder farmers through agroecology”.

The project will reach 900 smallholder women and youth farmers.

In an era marked by environmental challenges, economic uncertainties, and global crises, the need for sustainable agricultural practices has never been more critical. Conventional farming methods have led to soil degradation, environmental harm, and vulnerability to climate change, exacerbating food insecurity and nutrition issues. To address these challenges, the project “Enhancing food and nutrition, market linkages and resilient livelihoods for smallholder farmers through agroecology”. Emerges as beacon of hope and innovation in the agricultural landscape of Kenya.

The Project aims to promote selected agroecology farming practices to enhance food and nutrition security, strengthen access to markets and improve resilience of livelihoods by smallholder farmers specifically women and youth in Kitui and Nakuru counties of Kenya.

The LDF Project will be implemented under the auspices of the Africa Union Ecological Organic Agriculture Initiative, which Biovision Africa Trust has steered alongside over 30 partner organizations since 2012. Through meticulous coordination and strategic planning, the EOA Initiative has left indelible marks of progress across ten countries, touching the lives of small-scale farmers and youth. With pillars firmly rooted in research, knowledge dissemination, value chain development, and policy advocacy, the initiative embodies a holistic approach to sustainable agriculture.

The LDF Project Objectives

1. Enhance Adoption of Agroecological Farming Practices-through the promotion of agroforestry, water harvesting techniques, crop rotation, and conservation agriculture, the project aims to revolutionize farming methods, making them more sustainable and resilient.
2. Develop Livestock Production and Beekeeping-by establishing a revolving fund scheme, smallholder farmers will have access to improved dairy goats, rabbits, and beekeeping as alternative livelihood sources, fostering economic independence and diversification.
3. Enhance Access to Resources through VSLAs-through the Local-level institutions such as Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) will be established to empower farmers and youth, providing them with financial and market services crucial for transitioning to agroecological farming.
4. Improve Market Access-by supporting existing agroecology enterprises (SMEs), the project seeks to bridge the gap between farmers and markets, ensuring profitability and sustainability in agroecological farming.
5. Enhance Structured Management and Monitoring-the project commits to effective management and evaluation mechanisms to ensure the delivery of goals and objectives, thereby maximizing impact and accountability.

In Kenya, where approximately 1.6 million people suffer from food insecurity, the project emerges as a strategic response to the challenges of climate change, land degradation, and limited access to agricultural resources. By promoting agroecological farming practices, the project not only addresses food and nutrition security but also enhances market access and improves livelihoods for smallholder farmers, particularly women and youth.

Over the three-year period of implementation, the project aims to directly benefit 300 farmers and indirectly impact 600 more, totaling to 900 beneficiaries. With a focus on empowering women and youth, the project endeavors to catalyze positive change in the agricultural landscape of Kitui and Nakuru counties.

The envisioned outcomes include widespread adoption of agroecological practices, effective utilization of livestock production schemes, enhanced access to financial and market services, and successful attainment of project objectives within set timelines and allocated resources.

As we stand at the threshold of a new era in agriculture, the LDF Project emerges as a beacon of hope, resilience, and sustainability. By empowering farmers and communities with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world, this initiative represents a paradigm shift towards a more equitable, resilient, and prosperous future for all.

Prepared by Mercy Zakayo

Mkulima Mbunifu one of the projects under BvAT’s Farmer Communication Programme, implemented in Tanzania under Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT), held the second annual Co-design workshop on 6^th to 8^th March 2024, in Dodoma, Tanzania.

The multistakeholder workshop aimed at engaging various actors in the agricultural sector in scoping information needs and dissemination strategies for information on agroecological Agriculture, was attended by 41 participants. Among them, representatives from Tanzania Organic Agriculture Movement (TOAM), TABIO, officers from the Ministry of Agriculture, MVIWAA, IDP, SAT, We Effect, researchers, farmers and the mainstream media.

The workshop brought together actors from various districts: Arusha, Hai DC, Moshi DC, Singida DC, Morogoro-Gairo, Karatu, Manyara and Lushoto. Discussions during the workshop brought to the fore the status of agroecology practice in each of these districts, highlighting adoption areas and gaps that need to be addressed, through targeted communication.

Speaking during the workshop, Ms Janet Maro, the Chief Executive Officer of Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania, noted that the collaboration demonstrated in the previous co-design workshop has borne evident results in making Mkulima Mbunifu publication, the nationally acknowledged platform for dissemination of information on agroecology. She called upon participants to make use of the opportunity to share their wealth of experience in their respective fields of practice to build a concise communication plan that amplifies impact in the common goal of empowering the farmer to produce sustainably.

The workshop culminated in an expert advisory committee meeting where members reviewed and ratified the communication plan for use in developing and disseminating content on ecological agriculture, that meets the information needs of farmers in Tanzania.

Prepared by Caroline Mwendwa

From 13 to 16 February 2024, the international organic food and natural and organic cosmetics community met in Nuremberg Germany for the BIOFACH and VIVANESS 2024. Among these were the KCOA-KHEA Project team from Uganda-PELUM Uganda, Kenya-Biovision Africa Trust & PELUM Kenya, Tanzania-TOAM, Rwanda-ROAM and Madagascar-GSDM&SYMABIO and the funding partner GIZ.

Around 35,000 trade visitors from 128 countries attended the world’s leading Trade Fair for organic food and the International Trade Fair for Natural and Organic Personal Care.

Under the Biofach 2024 theme which was: “Food for the future: Women’s impact on sustainable food systems,” the KHEA Country Implementing Partners and Project team were inspired by the diverse range of products and services offered by a total of 2,550 exhibitors from 94 countries. In addition to the products, the focus was primarily on the numerous dialogue formats.

The opening ceremony was composed of many speakers and international icons, and ministerial delegates including ministers of agriculture form Uganda and Madagascar. The opening ceremony that marked the opening the BIOFACH and VIVANESS 2024. was officiated by the Germany Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture, Cem Özdemir, who has led the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture since December 2021.

Converging together and dialoguing is essential, especially in turbulent times and this was very evident. KHEA participants discussed and interacted in the exhibition halls, at the congress and in other dialogue formats and they were able to play an active role for example in the different side sessions such as; a Side session on Sowing Seeds of Change: In conversation with female leaders in the organic agri- business field organised by IFOAM – Organics International, Side session on Global market overview where Dr. David Amudavi the ED, Biovision Africa Trust and KHEA Project Coordinator presented among other presenters across the world, and another side session on the Landscape of Agroecology and Ecological Organic Agriculture in Africa that had Dr. David Amudavi -Executive Director of Biovision Africa Trust and KHEA Project Coordinator as part of the facilitators.

Another key highlight and key Side session dubbed; KCOA Women Change Makers in Africa: Insights & Experiences for Food Transformation was organised by the GIZ team and the IFOAM – Organics International team. In this session, outstanding women across the KCOA Hubs shared insights and success stories on their role in food transformation. This was well attended by all KCOA partners, KCOA hubs, GIZ team, BMZ team and the Uganda State Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries-Hon. Fred Bwino Kyakulaga.

Another key highlight was the KHEA delegation continuity strategy meeting that was presided over by KHEA Project Manager-Francis Nsanga from PELUM Uganda and Biovision Africa Trust. In this session, he shared the key strategies under the 4 focus areas of the project to be implemented for Phase 3 of the KCOA Project in the Eastern Africa Region. In attendance was the GIZ team, KHEA Project team, KHEA Country Implementing Partners and the EOA-I project team.

This was the second time the Knowledge Hub for Organic Agriculture and Agroecology in Eastern Africa participated in the Biofach, the last being 2022.

Prepared by Ms. Venancia Wambua, EOA Senior Project Manager

From Left: Mr. Andreas Schriber (Founding Trustee and Board Member ), Dr. Abdou Tenkouano (The New ICIPE DG), Ms. Venancia Wambua (EOA Project Manager)  and Mr. Fredrick Ochieng (FCP Coordinator)

The BvAT team of Mr. Fredrick Ochieng, FCP Coordinator and Ms. Venancia Wambua, EOA Project Manager were joined by Mr. Andreas Schriber Founding Trustee | Board member, Biovision Africa Trust for a meeting with the new icipe Director General Dr. Abdou Tenkouano.

The aim of the meeting was to:

1. Introduce Biovision Africa Trust (BvAT) and its activities to the icipe new Director General (DG)
2. Discuss strategies to strengthen ongoing and new collaboration between BvAT and icipe

Mr. Andreas Schriber introduced BvAT to the icipe DG by giving a brief history of BvAT and its connections with icipe. He explained that BvAT was formed from the Farmer Communication Programme (FCP) that was implemented by icipe through a collaboration and funding from Biovision Foundation during a time when he was the CEO of Biovision Foundation based in Switzerland. Him and the co-founder of Biovision Foundation, Dr. Hans Herren saw the need to establish an Africa based organisation that would disseminate research information from icipe and other research institutions in a more friendly manner to farmers in Kenya.

Thus, BvAT was established in Kenya in 2009 as a not-for-profit organization by the Swiss based Biovision Foundation for Ecological Development and hosted by the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Entomology (icipe). In 2011 it started being operational. It run its operations under icipe’s institutional anchorage till end of 2015 and assumed autonomy from January 2016. We have a hosting agreement involving icipe, Biovision Foundation and BvAT.

BvAT supports African farmers in mastering agro-ecological agricultural methods and environmental stewardship. This is a deliberate response to the negative effects of climate change, dwindling water sources, declining soil fertility, loss of biodiversity and harmful pesticide residues. BvAT’s approach contributes towards more sustainable farming, healthier diet for citizens, reducing the pace of climate change and minimizing its negative impact. The organisation sees itself as an agent of change that helps to alleviate poverty and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers particularly women and youth in Sub-Saharan Africa.

BvAT runs 3 main programmes namely: Farmer Communication Programme (FCP) in Kenya and Tanzania, Ecological Organic Agriculture Initiative (EOA-I) in Africa and Knowledge Centre for Organic Agriculture (KHEA) in eastern Africa.

Fredrick introduced the Farmer Communication Programme and the work it does in Kenya and Tanzania. Under FCP, BvAT implements TOF Radio, TOF Magazine, Mkulima Mbunifu in Tanzania, Farmer Communication Outreach, and Infonet projects. The projects carry communication channels    that reach farmers through radio programmes, farmer magazines, knowledge databases and farmer resource centres across the country. The farmer resource centres provide farmers with services that deepen their skills for adoption of ecologically sustainable practices.

Venancia gave a brief of the Ecological Organic Agriculture Initiative (EOA-I) implemented in 9 African countries in West and Eastern Africa. The EOA Initiative is implemented under the guidance and oversight of the AU chaired Continental Steering Committee (CSC) to establish an African organic farming platform based on available best practices; and to develop sustainable organic farming systems and improve seed quality. Its mission is to promote ecologically sound strategies and practices among diverse stakeholders involved in production, processing, marketing, and policy making to safeguard the environment, improve livelihoods, alleviate poverty, and guarantee food security among farmers in Africa. The goal is to contribute to mainstreaming of Ecological Organic Agriculture into national agricultural production systems by 2025 to improve agricultural productivity, food security, access to markets and sustainable development in Africa. In addition, these efforts are hoped to reduce exploitation of the organic farmers in Africa. 

She mentioned the recent milestones achieved of mainstreaming three EOA indicators into the CAADP Programme namely, the share of organic land, organic fertilizer uses, and farmer managed seeds. She added that these milestones were achieved under the chairmanship of the African Union, DARBE which chairs the EOA Continental Steering Committee (CSC). She appreciated the current CSC chair Dr. Edeme from AUC who has also recently joined the BvAT Board and is doing a tremendous job. Previously the CSC was chaired by Dr. Simplice Nouala who managed to tremendously grow EOA-I policy sector taking it to the global arena. She mentioned the support and role of Mr. Ernest Aubee the ECOWAS EOA representative who has supported the growth of EOA in west Africa and the recent developments of a planned EAC workshop (Feb 2024) that will catalyze the integration of EOA into EAC structures. EOA has also established regional clusters in other regions of Southern Africa, Central Africa and Northern Africa.

She gave a brief o the third program of BvAT, the KCOA project. GIZ has funded Biovision Africa Trust to establish Knowledge Hub for Organic Agriculture in Eastern Africa (KHEA). This initiative, supported by the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), promotes organic agriculture through regional knowledge hubs in West, East, Central, North, and Southern Africa. Biovision Africa Trust is in the forefront of coordinating the KHEA project in Eastern Africa, with successful implementation in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia, and Madagascar.

The DG acknowledged and congratulated BvAT for the good work that they are doing and welcomed strengthened collaborations with BvAT in information and knowledge dissemination at the continental level. He also reiterated the need for other organisations hosted by Icipe to collaborate and take advantage of being hosted in the centre. He added that the two organisations should continue writing joint proposals to leverage on each other’s strengths.

In his closing remarks, he welcomed BvAT to continue idealizing and discussing with icipe on their collaborations.

Prepared by Ms. Venancia Wambua, EOA Senior Project Manager

Head of Division- Rural Economy, Dr. Janet Edeme Addressing participants during opening ceremony of the conference.

The 5th African Organic Conference is currently ongoing in Kigali Rwanda under the auspices of the African Organic Network (AfrONet) and hosted by Rwanda Organic Agriculture Movement (ROAM).

AfrONet is the umbrella body of organic agriculture actors in Africa representing the National and Regional Organic Agriculture Movements (NOAMs/ROAMs). While ROAM is the National Umbrella Organization for producers, farmers, processors, exporters, and importers involved in organic agriculture with over 5000 members. ROAM is a partner of Biovision Africa Trust (BvAT) and the Country Implementing Partner for the KHEA project in Rwanda, a project that is coordinated by BvAT.

The conference running from December 12 – 15, 2023 is being conducted at the Marriott Hotel in Kigali Rwanda under the theme, “Strengthening Resilient and Sustainable Food Systems in Africa through Organic Agriculture”.,

The four-day event has brought together key stakeholders in the agroecology space in Africa under the leadership of the African Union Commission through the Division of Rural Economy which chairs the EOA Initiative on the continent. The Knowledge Hub for Organic Agriculture and Agroecology in Eastern Africa (KHEA) team with partners from Kenya-PELUM Kenya, Uganda-PELUM Uganda, Rwanda-Rwanda Organic Agriculture Movement (ROAM), Tanzania-Tanzania Organic Agriculture Movement (TOAM), and Madagascar-GSDM&SYMABIO are in attendance exhibiting agroecological products and inputs.

The conference will exploit ways of strengthening Resilient and Sustainable Food Systems in Africa through Organic Agriculture and share experiences from across the continent.

Prepared by: Hudson Were