Biovision Africa Trust

Let’s think about... plant protection - Expert dialogue on plant protection
2022-04-06 14:00 - 18:30 UTC | Berlin, Studio Berlin, Germany
Globally, agriculture is at the same time vulnerable to and a major driver of climate change and associated loss of biodiversity. In 2021, the UN Food Systems Summit and the UN Climate Change Conference COP26 underlined the importance of sustainable food systems and the necessity of profound transformation. In Germany, the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) provides additional impetus in early 2022. Therefore, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) convenes a series of expert dialogues on The Future of Sustainable Agriculture to discuss the building blocks of globally sustainable agriculture with experts from science, policy, civil society and private sector. The event on plant protection is the second dialogue in this series.
Plant protection is indispensable for any agricultural activity and a key issue on the way to food security. Changing climatic conditions and global trade have raised the pressure on crop health, which is likely to increase in the future. While agricultural intensification, including the use of pesticides, has allowed for growing yields over the past decades, environmental degradation and loss of biodiversity have been the price to pay. At the same time, the use of pesticides has shown to cause negative health effects on farmers and farm workers as well as consumers. Through strategies such as the Farm-to-Fork Strategy, which is at the heart of the European Green Deal, the EU has embarked on a process to transform the agriculture and food sector in order to have a neutral or positive environmental impact, reverse loss of biodiversity and ensure that everyone has access to sufficient, safe, nutritious food. So, how can we ensure human health and food security within the planetary boundaries and as well contribute to the Agenda 2030 (SDG 2, SDG 3, SDG 15)?
While many experts would agree that agricultural production systems need to become more sustainable and less reliant on pesticides, there has been a controversial debate on the appropriate approach. Some argue that responsible use of pesticides in an integrated pest management system is a viable way forward. Others opt for organic production and again others propose an agroecological transition, with or without the help of biotechnology. However, given the urgency and scale of the necessary transformations, we cannot afford business as usual. Different viewpoints need to be understood, priorities to be set, and pragmatic action pathways developed.
To this end, in this event we will look at current challenges and opportunities, draw inspiration from practical experience and identify priorities towards a sustainable approach to plant protection.
Find attached the Draft Agenda for the Event
Plant Protection Dialogue Agenda

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Workshop series “Right Livelihood College (RLC) Platform for Young East African Scientists – Improving the Productivity and Resilience of Smallholder Farming”
2022-04-04 09:00 - 2022-04-09 18:00 (Europe/Moscow) | Nairobi, Kenya
Potentials Right Livelihood Award (“Alternative Nobel Prize”) recipients/representatives

Dr. David M. Amudavi, Executive Director, Biovision Africa Trust (BvAT) icipe-African Insect Science for Food and Health, Nairobi, Kenya
Dr. Hans R. Herren, President and CEO, Millennium Institute, Co-Founder and President Biovision, Washington, USA
Helmy Abouleish, CEO, SEKEM Initiative, Cairo, Egypt
Tim Crews, Director of Research and Lead Scientist, Ecology Program, The Land Institute, Salina, USA
Tony Rinaudo, Natural Resources Management Specialist and agronomist, World Vision, Australia.

Potentials Senior researchers

Prof. Lennart Olsson, Professor of Geography and former Director of LUCSUS – Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies, Lund, Sweden
Dr. Eric Manyasa, Senior Scientist, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Nairobi, Kenya
Dr. Isaac Mbeche Nyang’au, Consultant Researcher at ICIPE – International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi, Kenya
Dr. Tusiime Geoffrey, Researcher and Lecturer, Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
Dr. Jimmy Lamo, Senior Researcher, National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCCRI), National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), Namulonge, Uganda
Dr. Juliet Wanjiku Kamau, Research Associate at Department of Geography/SFB Future Rural Africa, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
Dr. Muhammad Mehmood Ul Hassan, Head and Senior Scientist, Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), Nairobi, Kenya
Prof. Okot Okumu James, Senior Lecturer/Consultant at the Institute of Environment and Natural Resources, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
Dr. George Katete, researcher and lecturer at the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, The University of Nairobi, Kenya. (added by Till.)
Dr. Alice Turinawe, lecturer in the department of agribusiness and natural resource economics in the college of agricultural and environmental sciences at Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda. (Added by Wim.)

Further experts

Arthur Guischet, RLC Global Network Coordinator, Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn, Germany
Dr. Till Stellmacher, Senior Researcher, RLC Campus Bonn Coordinator, Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn, Germany
Dorothy Birungi, RLC Junior Researcher, Kampala, Uganda
Dr. Wim Carton, Senior Lecturer, LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies), Lund, Sweden

Junior researchers
Doctoral candidates (n.n.) from East Africa presently enrolled at a university in East Africa who conduct research to the project topic in agricultural sciences, social/economic/development sciences, or environmental sciences. The project will provide scholarships covering expenses for travel, accommodation and catering. Participating junior researchers will be selected by an open, competitive and non‐discriminatory tender procedure.
The proposal mentioned the following points regarding budget and approximate number of people that could be directly supported by the project:
Travel and accommodation costs for up to 32 foreign participants incl. visa fees, vaccination costs and travel insurance for up to 5 participants.
Find Attached the Tentative workshop program:
Tentative Workshop Program
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National Validation Workshop for the Draft Kenya Agricultural Sector Extension Policy 2022
2022-03-17 09:30 - 13:00 UTC | Virtual through Zoom, Kenya
Find attached the Draft KASEP policy and National Validation Programme
KASEP Draft Policy
National Validation Programme
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Launch of the CAADP 3rd Biennial Review Report
2022-03-10 15:00 - 19:30 (Europe/Moscow) | Virtual through Zoom, Kenya
Background and Context
The 3rd Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Biennial Review (BR) Report was endorsed by the assembly of African Heads of State and Government during 35th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union Heads of State and Government in February 2022. The BR is the primary mutual accountability mechanism that the African Union and its Member States use to track the implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development programme (CAADP) borne from the Malabo Declaration and the t Biennial Review Report is a fundamental instrument that shows outcomes of different agricultural efforts and interventions on the continent, to enable countries track, measure and report progress achieved against agreed result areas.
In the 3rd BR cycle, 51 countries (out of 55) reported performance across 46 indicators. The report is particularly significant as it is being released after two of the most difficult years for African agriculture: since early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has ravaged health systems, depressed agricultural production, and disrupted market systems. Smallholder producers and SMEs, most of them run by women and youth, bore the brunt of COVID. But even before COVID, the fall armyworm infestation (between 2018 and 2019) was a serious concern, and a persistent desert locust outbreak from 2019 saw crops and pasture destroyed. In addition, African countries continued to deal with the vagaries of climate change with growing frequency of extreme weather events signaling the need for more aggressive mitigation and climate-related adaptions. Against this backdrop the 3rd BR report, titled “Accelerating CAADP Implementation for a Resilient
African Food System” will be an important basis for dialogue and action on agricultural development in Africa.
The Report is timely as it comes mid-way through the implementation of the Malabo commitments and goals to be achieved by 2025. It also comes shortly after the yearlong UNFSS process that focused attention on food systems in 2021. The objective of the BR report is to stimulate post-BR dialogues and action processes, that show performance of African countries towards achieving the Malabo Goals and facilitate dialogue, learning band action within countries and RECS.
The launch of the 3rd BR report is in line with efforts aimed at increasing awareness and advocacy among all stakeholder and to build momentum behind the CAADP Agenda for increased political, policy and financial commitment. The specific objectives are:

To advocate for the increased utilization of the BR report for dialogue, to trigger action at country level and spur policy and investment responses designed to speed up the attainment of the Malabo Declaration goals and commitments.
To generate calls to action by capturing a broad range of emerging issues on political & policy options that can strengthen BR processes.

Find Attached the Concept note and The Launch Agenda
Agenda – Launch of the 3rd CAADP BR Report
Concept Note – Launch of the 3rd CAADP Biennial Review Report Launch

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ORGANIC BUSINESS WORKSHOP: EXPLORING PARTNERSHIPS FOR NEW ORGANIC BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
2022-02-24 | Sportsview Hotel, Kasarani, Kenya, Kenya
The Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN) together with its partners invites you to the third Organic Industry Business Event on Thursday, 24th March (9.00am) at The Sportsview Hotel Kasarani
(behind ICIPE Complex). As you may know, the Organic industry is the fastest growing subsector in agriculture globally, trading billions of dollars’ worth of products annually. This global trend is gaining pace in Kenya with people seeking healthy food amidst the Covid19 pandemic and food safety lapses in local food supply. A growing middleclass is fast becoming selective with food and export markets are becoming
increasingly critical on sustainability, carbon emissions and pesticide residues.
The Kenya Organic Agriculture Network has been an industry leader making meaningful business linkages within the organic space. KOAN has assisted notable companies with strategic and much needed advisory
and farmer linkage services that have led to millions of dollars’ worth of trade both locally and for export to date. In a bid to rapidly expand the organic space, KOAN has partnered up with the Kenya Agriculture
and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), the Research Institute for Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Africrops Limited, the Organic Agriculture Centre of Kenya (OACK) among other organizations to foster
organic market development by focusing on both the domestic and export market.
The Organic Business Workshop is an invite only event to present identified and explored organic business opportunities for the local and export market, focusing on organic products originating from Murang’a
County. There will be opportunity to discuss and integrate new partners into the identified pathways within three main Strategic Business Groups; I. Organic Vegetables and Fruits for Local Market, II. Organic
Herbs and Spices and lastly III. Organic Fruits for Export.
We are looking forward to your engagement and participation in the workshop, as it is the next phase of exploring joint organic business opportunities identified. Meanwhile, please take the time to register on the
provided link,
https://forms.gle/2sqJyUFU3MYELiWNA
This will allow us to plan adequately and make sure all COVID19 preventive measures are put in place. As well also acknowledge this letter by getting in touch with the undersigned and Martin Njoroge Kimani –
martin@koan.co.ke (+254 725 295 437 ) who will also answer any questions you may have. Thank you for your time.

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Soil Fertility Radio Talk show
2022-02-16 08:00 - 09:00 (Europe/Moscow)
Tune in to MBCI FM from 8AM-9AM
https://mbcimedia.com
Catch Anthony Majanga, Multiplier from Baraka Agriculture College and Grace Misoi, Master Trainer of the KCOA-KHEA Project as they discuss on Soil Fertility
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LAUNCH OF THE CENTRAL AFRICA PLATFORM OF THE ECOLOGICAL ORGANIC AGRICULTURE INITIATIVE IN AFRICA
2021-12-02 08:00 - 17:00 UTC | Yaounde, cameroon, Cameroon
Meeting Link :
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86982703999?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 869 8270 3999
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Find attached the meeting programme:
Programme for launch of Central Africa EOA-I Platform
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16th Continental Steering Committee Meeting
2021-11-29 08:00 - 2021-12-02 17:00 UTC | Yaounde, cameroon, Cameroon
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6th West African Organic Conference Burkina Faso 2021
2021-11-23 - 2021-11-26 | Ouaga 2000′ International Conference Center, Burkina Faso, Burkina Faso

Side-event for the Food Systems Summit
2021-09-24 | Virtual through Zoom, Kenya
Can organic agriculture improve yields and incomes for smallholder farmers in Africa ?
This side event will explore different forms of organic agriculture performed in various real farm settings across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and to what extent they can contribute to sustainable development.Take a glimpse at the groundbreaking results of a recent study showcasing:

Different kinds of organic agriculture in SSA in several real farm settings.
Achievements from different initiatives introducing organic agriculture and the successes of organic farming as a management system.
Detailed, reliable data over a two-year time span, featuring a significant sample size and a scientifically sound comparison with a comparable conventional control group.

About the event
Organic agriculture is certainly not a silver bullet for solving food security issues in SSA. However, organic farming needs to be re-framed from a “do not use specific inputs” to a “do better agroecosystem management” approach.
We will demonstrate that, if implemented well, organic agriculture can drastically boost productivity and farm incomes and thus substantially contribute to sustainable development in Africa. We will also highlight examples of various policy measures supporting organic and agro-ecology in African countries.

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Eastern Africa EOA-I progress updates meeting : 14th September 2021
2021-09-14 | Virtual through Zoom, Kenya

Organic World Congress 2021
2021-09-07 - 2021-09-14 | Rennes, France

ASBP FMSS Cluster Validation Workshop
2021-08-20 12:00 - 14:00 UTC
Workshop Zoom Link
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81759805975?pwd=[REDACTED]
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Review and Appraisal Mission by GIZ of the Knowledge Hub for Organic Agriculture in Eastern Africa (KHEA) which is part of the global Knowledge Centre for Organic Agriculture in Africa (KCOA) project.
2021-08-16 08:00 - 2021-08-27 17:00 UTC
Purpose:
· Provide a decision basis for BMZ on conceptual and regional adaptations of KCOA
Objectives:
· To assess the achievements of the regional Knowledge Hub for Organic Agriculture in Eastern Africa (KHEA) and to make recommendations on the future orientation and implementation.
· To appraise on possible conceptual and regional adaptations and to provide recommendations on the adaptations of the regional knowledge hub
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Farmer Managed Seed Systems (FMSS) Workshop
2021-08-10 08:00 - 2021-08-11 17:00 UTC | Venue: Rainbow Resort Hotel, Ruiru – Nairobi, Kenya, Kenya

CONTENT CREATION WRITE SHOP
2021-08-10 08:00 - 17:00 UTC | Kyaka Hotel – Machakos, Kenya
CONTENT_CREATION_WRITESHOP_PROGRAM
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Virtual Meeting on Mainstreaming Ecological Organic Agriculture/agro ecology in NAIPs and RAIPS
2021-07-24
AUC and EOA-I Continental Secretariat (hosted by Biovision Africa Trust) to host a virtual meeting on Mainstreaming Ecological Organic Agriculture / agroecology in NAIPs and RAIPS on 24th July 2021.
This is in line with implementation of the Executive Council of the African Union decision on organic farming in 2011(EX.CL/631 (XVIII). This decision requested the AU Commission and NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency (now known as African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) to (i) initiate and provide guidance for an AU-led coalition of international partners on the establishment of an African organic farming platform based on available best practices; and to (ii) provide guidance in support of the development of sustainable organic farming systems and improve seed quality. In 2019, the 3rd Specialized Technical Committee (STC) on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and Environment (ARDWE) urged African Union Member States to mainstream EOA into their national agricultural production systems and allocate adequate resources to the sector.
The overall purpose of this meeting is to brainstorm on the mainstreaming of EOA into NAIPS and RAIPs.
The specific objectives are:

Update RECs on the implementation of the EOAI
Discuss the establishment of Regional EOA Steering Committees
Discuss strategies for mainstreaming EOA into NAIPS and RAIPs
Discuss strategies to strengthen EOA on the continent

The meeting will bring together various actors and strategic partners from AUC, EAC, ECOWAS, GIZ, Biovision, SDC and EOA-I regional secretariats of eastern and west Africa.
Please find attached the documents (both in English and French)

Concept Note and Agenda of Meeting with RECs on Agroecology – English Version
Concept Note and Agenda of Meeting with RECs on Agroecology – French Version
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4th Egerton University National Forum for Agricultural Stakeholders
2021-07-21 - 2021-07-22
Find attached the Programme for the forum: National Forum for Agricultural Stakeholders Programme
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Youth and Agroecology National Summit 2020
2020-10-12 - 2020-10-16
AgriProFocus with support from IKEA Foundation is currently implementing the Youth in Agroecology and Business Learning Track in Africa (YALTA Initiative). The program aims to
support young agripreneurs to apply agroecological principles and to co-create networks around them in view of contributing to the increased sustainability of food systems and youth employment.
To more about the YALTA program please Click HERE AgriProFocus together with its consortium of partners which consists of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), Africa Agribusiness Academy (AAA), East Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF), Practical Action (PA), Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV) and Participatory Ecological Land Use Management Association (PELUM) are pleased to invite you to the 2020 National Youth and Agroecology Summit which will take place from 12th-16 October 2020.
The summit themed, Integrating Agroecology in Youth Agricultural Enterprises to Grow, Nourish, and sustain, will consist of four regional forums with the activities culminating to a national summit which will be held on 16th October to mark the World Food Day Celebrations. The summit and regional forums aim to create a platform for the youth to connect, share and learn from all actors including agroecology practitioners, agribusiness experts, and policy makers.
It will be a pleasure to have you and we look forward to your active participation (both physical and online) in any of the following events;
1. Regional Forum in South Rift/ North Central – 12th October 2020
2. Regional Forum in Western/ Nyanza – 14th October 2020
3. Regional Forum in Lower Eastern – 14th October 2020
4. Regional Forum in Upper Eastern – 12th October 2020
5. National Summit – 16th October 2020
See attached an Invitation Letter
Register Here
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Middle East Natural and Organic Products Expo
2019-12-20 - 2019-12-24, 2019-12-03 - 2019-12-05 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The Middle East Natural and Organic Products Expo (link is external) Dubai is the only event of its kind specializing in beauty, health, food and beverage, living, and the environment sectors in the Middle East and Northern Africa. With the support of IFOAM – Organics International, the expo has served as a platform to launch organic products on the Middle Eastern market for 17 years.
The 2019 expo is organized under the patronage of the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and supported by IFOAM – Organics International, Dubai Municipality, and other leading international organizations. The expo will be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre (link is external) from December 3-5, 2019.
To register as a visitor (link is external) or learn more about the event, please visit the website (link is external).
In 2018, keeping with the rapid growth of the region’s organic market, this expo doubled in size, welcoming 225 exhibitors from over 55 countries. With 13 country pavilions, the United Kingdom, China, Poland, and Iran all debuted at the expo and on the regional organic market. These figures represent a 22 percent increase from the 2017 expo, which 7,332 trade buyers and 276 VIP buyers from the Middle East, Northern Africa, and surrounding countries attended.
The 2018 expo also launched several new features, including the:

First Traditional Complementary Alternative Medicine Conference and Expo: never before held in the Middle East, this event hosted 17 speakers and panelists and awarded medical attendees with 5 CME points.

The Organic Industry Conference: included 16 workshops and panel discussions on topics from the organic industry.

O2O Connect, the online-to-offline platform where exhibitors and trade buyers can pre-schedule meetings, also fared well, reporting that more than 2,000 expo meetings were successfully scheduled prior to the event.

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Celebrating BIOFACH India
2019-11-07 - 2019-11-09 | India, India
BIOFACH India is the country’s largest and most focused event for organic products. The 11th edition of BIOFACH India is scheduled to take place November 7-9, 2019 at the India Expo Centre, IEML, Greater Noida, Delhi-NCR.
BIOFACH India provides the perfect business platform for networking to organic stakeholders, retailers, exporters, government boards, certification bodies, consultants, and associations from Inaid and around the world. High-caliber visitors and exhibitors set the fair apart from any other fair in the Indian market. The last edition of BIOFACH India saw over 6,000 trade visitors and consumers and over 200 participating brands. The show attracts a wide array of products related to food, beverage, spices, natural and wellness care, and textiles.
Due to its varied agro-climatic regions, India has the potential to produce all varities of organic products. Textiles, tea, spices, and tried-and-tested methods for raw materials processing make India an attractive prospect for organic products trade. This holds promise for the organic producers to tap the market which is growing steadily in the domestic and export market.
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First Presentation of the new EOA website
2019-09-06 08:00 - 17:00 UTC | ICIPE, Nairobi, Kenya
The Launching of the new EOA website, that will feature our strategies into building a world fed organically, action plans, Articles on knowledge on organic agriculture, useful links, partner websites and a lot more once you get to explore the platform.
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Agroecology Conference
2019-06-18 08:00 - 2019-06-20 18:00 UTC | Safari Park Hotel & CAsino, Kenya
