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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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