Biovision Foundation, based in Switzerland, and Biovision Africa Trust (BvAT), headquartered in Kenya, share a common vision of healthy people living in healthy planet by promoting sustainable agriculture, biodiversity, and food security interventions. Though established as independent entities, the two organizations have collaborated closely over the years, leveraging their complementary strengths to address global challenges in agroecology and sustainable development. Biovision Foundation provides strategic insights and resources, while BvAT is uniquely positioned on the ground to conceptualize and implement impactful projects that directly benefit farmers and communities across Africa.
In a pivotal moment for the partnership between Biovision Foundation and Biovision Africa Trust (BvAT), the new CEO of Biovision Foundation, Mr. Anders Gautschi, accompanied by the outgoing Co-Head of the International Partnerships Department, Ms Loredana Sorg, visited BvAT on a mission to familiarize with the sister organization and deepen collaboration. The visit, hosted in Nairobi on13th Jan 2025, by BvAT’s Executive Director, Dr. David Amudavi and several BvAT senior staff, brought both teams together to reflect on the founder’s vision for the two organizations and the journey walked so far, acknowledge strengths and challenges, and renew their commitment to advancing the vision of their founder, Dr. Hans Rudolf Herren.
Dr. Amudavi expressed profound gratitude to Dr. Hans Herren for his visionary leadership and reiterated that the two organizations are intrinsically connected and play complementary and indispensable roles in achieving sustainability and food security. “Our efforts align perfectly, with Biovision Foundation providing strategic insights and BvAT being strategically positioned on the ground to conceptualize interventions and work directly with farmers,” said Dr. Amudavi. “My clarion call to everyone in Biovision Foundation is simple: Let us see how we can continue working together and with transparency. If challenges arise, let us resolve them genuinely, amicably and productively,” he emphasized. This sentiment was echoed by Mr. Gautschi, who highlighted the importance of seamless integration between the two organizations under the new administrative changes at Biovision Foundation.
Using a powerful metaphor, Dr. Amudavi likened the relationship between Biovision Foundation and BvAT to a human umbilical cord, symbolizing their deep-rooted connection and shared purpose. He emphasized that “BvAT is uniquely positioned to implement sustainable agriculture projects and make a tangible impact with farmers on the ground.”
Expanding on the metaphor, Mr. Gautschi described the relationship as that of siblings. “We are siblings,” he said, “with complementary and comparative advantages. This is an advantage because our goals are identical, creating a more intimate relationship than others might have. The relationship has to continue. We also need to rethink how to fulfill the vision, considering it has been almost 15 years since its inception, but without changing the vision itself.” He emphasized that the focus should be on agreeing on any areas that need remodeling, reshaping and approaching them effectively.
Both leaders reaffirmed that Biovision Foundation and BvAT share identical goals and should continually strive to strengthen their partnership. Dr. Amudavi and Mr. Gautschi both acknowledged the importance of aligning with the founding vision while adapting to emerging needs. They emphasized the need to not only focus on impactful processes but also create lasting outcomes in the communities they serve. Demonstrating an alliance of two organisations working for a common vision should be quickly noted by all their partners.
A key takeaway from the discussions was the mutual agreement on the need to further develop and improve capacity within BvAT. Both leaders recognized that building capacity is a strategic move to position BvAT as the partner of choice in agroecology and sustainable development. “Partnerships should create practical impact, not just processes,” noted Dr. Amudavi, underlining the need for capacity-building as a priority in future collaborations.
As the visit concluded, the atmosphere was one of optimism and renewed determination. The teams reaffirmed their commitment to working together, leveraging their unique strengths to achieve a shared vision of sustainability, agroecology, and food security. With this renewed partnership, Biovision Foundation and BvAT are poised to not only overcome challenges but also drive meaningful change on the ground.
This visit marks the beginning of a new chapter, one where both organizations are committed to fostering collaboration, addressing challenges constructively, and making a lasting impact. Together, they are stronger, and together, they will thrive in contributing to having healthy people living in a healthy planet.
Prepared by Simon Thangu
