Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania; A recent engagement between the Native Plants for Environment and People (Native PEP) Project team and Maasai community leaders in five  villages (Magadini, Kandashi, Mawasiliano, Ashengai and Karansi) in Siha District, Kilimanjaro Region, has reaffirmed strong local ownership of the project and underscored the value of sustained community dialogue in achieving lasting environmental and livelihood outcomes.

The meeting, held with Laigwanans (traditional Maasai leaders) from different wards of West Kilimanjaro, was convened following the destruction of one of the project’s demonstration plots. Rather than undermining progress, the incident provided an important opportunity to surface community concerns, address misinformation, and reinforce collective responsibility for project success.

Discussions revealed that the incident stemmed from a misunderstanding among some community members, who believed that land used for demonstration and trial plots had been sold to the project. This created fears of restricted access to grazing areas and potential loss of communal land.

The Native PEP team addressed these concerns directly. Dickson Xavery, the Project Lead in Tanzania, clarified that the project neither owns nor intends to acquire community land. All demonstration plots remain community property and exist solely to support training, experimentation, and knowledge exchange.

This clarification was critical in restoring confidence. Community leaders unanimously acknowledged the explanation and publicly affirmed their acceptance of the project, committing to safeguard all implementation sites going forward.

Community leaders also raised broader structural challenges affecting pastoral livelihoods, particularly the reduction of grazing land amid growing human and livestock populations. Questions were raised about the feasibility of small-scale demonstration plots contributing meaningfully to forage availability.

The project team emphasized that Native PEP’s approach responds precisely to this reality. By promoting improved forage productivity, restoration of native species, and better land management practices, the project demonstrates how limited land can be used more efficiently and sustainably; an increasingly critical innovation in pastoral landscapes.

Native species restoration was highlighted as a key strategy, given their multiple benefits, including improved livestock health, increased milk production, and medicinal value.

Importantly, the meeting demonstrated strong local governance mechanisms that enhance project sustainability. The leaders’ secretary instructed all Laigwanans that any individual found damaging project sites would face sanctions under established community by-laws. This clear stance reinforced collective accountability and positioned community leadership as an active partner in implementation.

Leaders further emphasized that behavioural change, particularly around grazing management, is essential to reversing rangeland degradation. The Native PEP Project’s community-driven model aligns closely with this priority, combining technical innovation with social enforcement mechanisms that donors increasingly recognise as critical for long-term impact.

Dr. Urs Schaffner reiterated that the demonstration plots serve primarily as learning platforms, enabling communities to test, observe, and adapt restoration practices before replicating them more widely. Lessons from Mawasiliano and neighboring villages are already informing discussions on scaling the approach across the wider landscape.

Community leaders expressed strong interest in continued training, particularly on managing invasive species. The project team confirmed that ongoing research is generating practical solutions, which will continue to be shared through structured trainings.

To support adoption at household level, the project will continue providing native seeds to community members establishing forage plots on private land. Complementary rangeland restoration practices will focus on facilitating natural regeneration rather than direct planting, ensuring ecological appropriateness.

The meeting concluded with a proposal from community leaders encouraging households to set aside portions of their private land to apply project lessons, particularly to improve dry-season forage availability. Leaders also committed to using their authority to support positive behavioural change where necessary.

This engagement illustrates the Native PEP Project’s core strength: a participatory model that places communities at the centre of restoration efforts, supported by evidence-based practices and adaptive learning. For donors, it demonstrates how investment in trust-building, dialogue, and local governance can mitigate risks, strengthen adoption, and create a solid foundation for scaling impact across pastoral landscapes.

Prepared by: Simon Njoroge

Biovision Africa Trust (BvAT), the lead coordinating agency of the Knowledge Hub for Organic Agriculture and Agroecology in East Africa (KHEA) Project, in collaboration with Participatory Ecological land Use Management (PELUM) Uganda, the Co-Hosting Partner, officially launched Phase 3 of KHEA on December 2, 2025 in Machakos-Kenya. This milestone marks an important step toward advancing agroecological transformation and enhancing farmer-centered knowledge exchange across the region.

Working in close collaboration with PELUM Uganda, BvAT hosted a regional press briefing that brought together partners from PELUM Kenya, PELUM Uganda, ROAM, TOAM, GSDM, and SYMABIO from Madagascar. Their attendance highlighted the strong, coordinated regional collaboration that continues to define the project.

Speaking at the event, Dr. David Amudavi, Executive Director of Biovision Africa Trust, underscored the value of these partnerships:

“BvAT is proud to lead the coordination of the KCOA-KHEA initiative. As we enter Phase 3, our commitment together with PELUM Uganda and all regional partners across the 5 countries is to deepen the delivery of actionable, evidence-based agroecological knowledge that strengthens farmer resilience and improves livelihoods.” — Dr. David Amudavi

He also emphasized the power of continental collaboration:

“The collective expertise within this partnership is one of our greatest strengths. By continuing to work together, we will accelerate the adoption of organic and agroecological practices and ensure farmers across Eastern Africa access the information and tools they need to thrive sustainably.” — Dr. David Amudavi

KHEA Partners’ Commitment

During the launch, all KHEA partners renewed a shared commitment to strengthen regional collaboration, harmonize knowledge-sharing efforts, support national and regional agroecology agendas, and scale up proven organic and agroecological practices. Partners pledged to enhance coordination, improve policy engagement, deepen capacity building, and expand farmer-focused learning initiatives across the region.

KHEA Phase 3 will build on earlier achievements by broadening outreach to farming communities, advancing research and documentation, and fostering stronger engagement with stakeholders in each partner country.

The successful launch marks a new chapter for coordinated agroecology efforts in Eastern Africa, paving the way for a more sustainable and resilient regional food system.

By Magino Pamella – KHEA Communications Officer – PELUM Uganda and Bio vision Africa Trust

Biovision Africa Trust (BvAT), the lead coordinating agency of the Knowledge Hub for Organic Agriculture and Agroecology in Eastern Africa (KHEA), successfully convened a Capacity Strengthening and Phase III Launch Workshop from 1^st December to 2nd December 2025 at Gelian Hotel, Machakos in Kenya. The workshop brought together 24 participants from the implementing partners from Kenya- PELUM Kenya, Uganda- PELUM Uganda, Tanzania-TOAM, Rwanda-ROAM, and Madagascar-GSDM and SYMABIO to strengthen regional collaboration, sharpen implementation strategies, and build a collective understanding of the KHEA Phase III agenda.

The initiative continues to be funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through GIZ, whose support has sustained the Eastern Africa Hub and other Hubs in West, North, Central, and Southern Africa, since 2019 to date, enabling the growth of a continental network advancing organic agriculture and agroecology.

The workshop was officially opened by Dr. David Amudavi, Executive Director of Biovision Africa Trust, who emphasized the importance of shared learning and strengthened coordination.

“As we enter Phase III, our focus is on deepening the quality of our interventions and strengthening the systems that deliver impact. Collaboration remains our cornerstone, and together we will continue translating agroecological knowledge into meaningful change for farming communities.” — Dr. David Amudavi, Executive Director, BvAT

Workshop Purpose and Focus Areas

The workshop aimed to build a unified and results-oriented approach for KHEA Phase III based on lessons and good practices from the earlier project phases. Core discussions focused on refining planning tools, improving coordination mechanisms, and reinforcing financial, administrative, and reporting capacities across implementing partners.

The key objectives were to:

1. Review achievements and lessons from KCOA–KHEA Phase II and integrate them into Phase III implementation.
2. Establish shared understanding of Phase III priorities, expected results, and delivery strategies.
3. Validate coordination and implementation workplans with clear responsibilities and synergies.
4. Strengthen understanding of financial management, procurement, compliance, and audit processes.
5. Build clarity on the KCOA–KHEA Results Matrix and the roles of all Country Implementing Partners (CIPs).
6. Officially launch the implementation of KCOA–KHEA Phase III.

Building on Good Practices and Strengthening Delivery

A major focus of the workshop was reviewing good practices (GPs) identified from previous phases, including farmer-centered learning models, documentation of agroecological practices, visibility and communication tools, and cross-country collaboration. Partners discussed how these practices could be scaled, strengthened, and better integrated into KHEA Phase III implementation.

Venancia Wambua, Head of Programs for KCOA–KHEA and EOAI at BvAT, highlighted the importance of strong systems and shared commitment:

“KHEA Phase III gives us the opportunity to consolidate what has worked well, refine what needs improvement, and deliver with greater coherence. Our collective strength lies in our coordination, transparency, and shared resolve to elevate agroecology across Eastern Africa.” — Venancia Wambua, Head of Programs, BvAT

From the project implementation side, Francis Nsanga, KHEA Project Manager, emphasized cross-country synergies and collaborative planning:

“This workshop has strengthened our alignment as regional partners. The conversations around workplans, coordination, and reporting are crucial as we work toward more harmonized and impactful delivery in Phase III.” — Francis Nsanga, KHEA Project Manager, BvAT and PELUM Uganda

Voices From Across the Region

Partners from Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Madagascar shared their reflections, underscoring the value of regional cooperation:

• “For us in Madagascar, KHEA Phase III represents a moment to scale innovations that have already shown significant promise. The regional platform allows us to learn from each other and strengthen agroecological action at home.” —Tovohery Ramahaimandimbisoa GSDM and SYMABIO KHEA Project Officer, Madagascar
• “The collaboration across countries enriches our approaches and ensures that farmers benefit from the best regional practices. This phase is an opportunity to deepen that shared learning and expand our reach.” — Lise Dusabe Chantal – ROAM CEO in
• “KHEA Phase III provides us with an opportunity to strengthen what has already worked in promoting agroecology. Learning from other countries and sharing our experiences ensures that smallholder farmers in Tanzania can access practical solutions that improve productivity and sustainability.”- Bakari Mongo – CEO of TOAM in Tanzania.
• “This workshop has reinforced the importance of coordination and joint planning. By harmonizing strategies and sharing good practices, we are better positioned to deliver meaningful impact for farmers across the region.”- Ratemo Moraa- KHEA Project Officer under PELUM Kenya
• “The discussions during this workshop have been invaluable. They allow us to reflect on past achievements, address challenges, and ensure that our workplans for Phase III are aligned and results-focused. Together, we are stronger.”- Jude Ssebulibe the Head of Programs from PELUM Uganda

A Unified Start to the Next Phase

Caption; KHEA Project Team guides Partners on the Phase 3 workplans

By the close of the workshop, partners reaffirmed their commitment to a more aligned, efficient, and impactful implementation approach under KHEA Phase III. With clear workplans, strengthened systems, and continued donor support from BMZ through GIZ, the project enters the new phase on a solid foundation.

The strong collaboration demonstrated at the workshop reflects a shared vision for advancing agroecological transformation across Eastern Africa—empowering farmers, strengthening food systems, and deepening regional cooperation.

By Magino Pamella – KHEA Communications Officer – PELUM Uganda and Bio vision Africa Trust