On August 5th, 2024, Biovision Africa Trust, under the leadership of the Executive Director, Dr. David Amudavi, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Makueni County, represented by the Governor H.E. Mutula Kilonzo JR, CBS. The ceremony was held at the Office of the Governor at Wote town Makueni County.
The purpose of the MoU formalized the collaboration between our organization and the County of Makueni. Together, we shall facilitate capacity building of smallholder farmers in Makueni County; leverage on each other’s experience, resources, and networks in providing agricultural extension services to smallholder farmers on ecologically sustainable agriculture practices and technologies including value addition, postharvest handling, input access and produce marketing in respect to county priority value chains as agreed by the parties; provide a framework for co-creation, packaging and dissemination of relevant information and knowledge on ecologically sustainable agricultural practices and technologies; and support strengthening of the institutional and policy environment for effective and efficient implementation of programmes in areas of mutual interests.
This agreement will see the County Government of Makueni provide an enabling policy environment for the effective implementation of our programmes and support mainstreaming agroecological practices in the county agricultural extension systems, policies, and strategies. The agreement therefore marks a significant milestone in boosting our efforts to improve the livelihoods of small-holder farmers, particularly at the county level, while also supporting the national government efforts of ensuring food security and nutrition for all.
During the occasion, the Executive Director proposed to the Governor that the county government convenes a partners’ forum to share experiences, lessons, inspirations and challenges on the ongoing initiatives on agroecology and regenerative agriculture initiatives. The Governor welcomed the recommendation and called for all the partners to be committed towards realizing the objectives of the MoU. The Governor also emphasized the need for partners to submit annual reports to the County Government to keep the government appraised of the partners’ progress and achievements. This will enhance accountability to the partnership agreement.
Other organizations that signed MoUs with the Makueni County Government included: Pelum Kenya, Cereal Growers Association, Alternatives Africa, Solidaridad, Biodiversity and Biosafety Association of Kenya and Mama Fresh.
Prepared by Emmanuel Kimulu
