The 2nd Eastern Africa Agroecology Conference opened yesterday in Nairobi with renewed urgency and shared vision: to transform the region’s food systems through agroecology. Drawing hundreds of delegates from across Africa and beyond, the opening ceremony set the tone for a week of rich dialogue, policy deliberations, and showcasing of agroecological innovations.
Convened under the theme “Strengthening Agri-Food System Transformation for Resilience, Sustainability and Socioeconomic Development,” the conference brings together government officials, researchers, development partners, farmers, youth, and private sector actors committed to regenerative agriculture.
Dr. David Amudavi, Executive Director of Biovision Africa Trust—the convening organization—welcomed participants by reflecting on the success of the inaugural 2023 conference and the urgent need to act amid worsening food insecurity, climate change, and degraded ecosystems.
“Agroecology offers a science-based and community-centered pathway for rebuilding our food and farming systems; emphasizing soil health, biodiversity, indigenous knowledge, and equitable value chains,” he said.
Dr. Amudavi emphasized the paradox of increasing fertilizer use alongside declining soil productivity and showcased local solutions such as composting, biofertilizers, and vermiculture. He called for investments to move agroecology from the margins to the mainstream.
Representing the Cabinet Secretary of Agriculture, Dr. Christopher Wanga underscored Kenya’s commitment to agroecology through its National Agroecology Strategy (2024–2033). He stressed the importance of interlinking policies and urged mainstreaming agroecology across counties, farms, and enterprises.
“Let us not forget the five areas of focus: increasing biodiversity, ensuring animal health, protecting the ground, saving natural resources, and conserving our environment,” Dr. Wanga said.
He also linked Kenya’s policy direction with continental strategies such as the AU’s Kampala Declaration and the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit’s Nairobi Declaration—both recognizing agroecology as a critical pathway.
Dr. Petra Jacobi, delivering remarks on behalf of GIZ Country Director Mr. Bodo Immink, praised Kenya for its thought leadership in agroecology and highlighted the participatory development of the national strategy. She emphasized empowering farmers as change agents, sharing that agroecological innovations had increased incomes by 35% among over 100,000 households.
From Uganda, Hon. Fred Bwino, State Minister for Agriculture, expressed pride in Uganda’s progress in institutionalizing agroecology as a science, a practice, and a movement.
“Governments must provide enabling frameworks, commit funding, and raise awareness,” he stated. “Only then can agroecology transform food systems in a sustainable way.”
Renowned agroecology champion Dr. Hans Herren delivered a powerful address focused on the political and structural roots of food insecurity. He challenged the audience to rethink the overemphasis on technological fixes and instead address systemic issues such as inequity, land access, and monopolization of food systems.
“Technology alone cannot fix hunger. Political will, structural reforms, and a truly just food system are what we need,” he declared.
He criticized the push for a new “green revolution,” arguing that agroecology represents the only holistic and sustainable path forward.
The opening ceremony concluded with a shared call to action: to invest in agroecology, support farmer-led innovation, align policies, and scale what works. As Dr. Amudavi put it, “This conference is not just a meeting—it is a movement.”
As deliberations continue, the spotlight remains on building a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food future for Eastern Africa and beyond.
Prepared by Simon Njoroge
With the countdown to the 2nd Eastern Africa Agroecology Conference underway, a press briefing in Nairobi today set the stage for a pivotal conversation on the future of agriculture in the region. The gathering brought together key stakeholders, from government officials to researchers and farmers, all united by a shared commitment to agricultural sustainability and the media to create awareness about the issues the conference will be addressing.
The most impassioned speech of the day came from Dr. David Amudavi, Executive Director of Biovision Africa Trust. He pulled no punches in underscoring concerns about the region’s deepening food insecurity and soil degradation.
“Our region continues to face serious agricultural and food security challenges. Despite widespread reliance on chemical fertilizers, soil health continues to deteriorate limiting returns to investment. We must ask ourselves: How can we ensure every household has food on the table? Food is a fundamental right to be neglected!” he declared.
Dr. Amudavi pointed to the vulnerability of Kenya’s food systems, heavily reliant on imported chemical fertilizers. He emphasized the need to champion homegrown solutions to address geopolitical challenges that limit timely access by farmers to chemical inputs.
“The disruptions in global supply chains have shown us that dependency on chemical fertilizers is a ticking time bomb. This conference will highlight locally produced solutions including biofertilizers that can be promoted at scale, reinforcing the ‘Buy Kenya, Build Kenya’ initiative,” he said.
Dr. Amudavi painted a picture of landscapes once green and thriving, now turned barren due to unsustainable farming practices. “The unpredictable weather is no longer just a forecast; it’s a daily reality for our farmers,” he said, emphasizing agroecology as a viable solution to restore soil fertility, improve yields, and protect the environment.
He noted that according to global statistics for the year 2023 more than 3.4 million hectares of farmland were organic in Africa. This is over 2.8 percent of the world’s organic farmland was in Africa. Closer home, Kenya is among the top ten Africa countries with organic agricultural land being over 173,000 hectares and among the top ten countries with highest organic producers with over 63,000 certified organic producers.
Farmers from various counties such as Makueni, Kitui, Kisii, Bungoma, and Nyandarua will share firsthand experiences of how agroecology has transformed their farming practices. “These are real success stories, farmers using organic manure, reducing dependency on chemicals, diversifying their crops, and, most importantly, reclaiming their land’s productivity,” he added.
Dr. David Kamau, KALRO’s Director-Natural Resource Management, painted a sobering picture of Kenya’s food security challenges, yet he remained hopeful about the solutions agroecology presents. He outlined three key strategies under the Presidential Economic Transformation-Agriculture Pillar:
- Strengthening food-secure value chains.
- Increasing export value chains to stabilize the Kenyan shilling.
- Reducing reliance on import-dependent value chains.
“It takes approximately 700 years for a centimeter of soil to form in the tropical region,” he warned, calling for immediate conservation efforts. Dr. Kamau lauded the Agricultural Soil Management Policy and the National Agroecology Strategy for Food System Transformation, asserting that these initiatives will anchor Kenya’s transition to sustainable food systems.
For Ms. Venancia Wambua, Head of Programmes at BvAT and one of the event’s lead organizers, the conference is more than a meeting; it is a movement. She underscored that discussions will be evidence-based, drawing on research and farmer experiences.
“We cannot speak of sustainability without prioritizing investment in research and innovation. Women and youth, as the backbone of our farming communities, must be at the heart of this transformation,” she urged.
The conference will also shine a spotlight on the market ecosystem; helping farmers access financial opportunities, explore value addition, and connect with new markets. But beyond economics, Dr. Amudavi stressed the need for robust policy support.
“If we align our strategies with Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, we will unlock real change for small-scale farmers,” he noted.
With the conference just days away, anticipation is building for what could be a defining moment in Eastern Africa’s agricultural landscape. Dr. Amudavi’s closing words left no doubt about the urgency of the moment:
“Let us seize this opportunity to advance sustainable farming, promote agroecology, and ensure a food-secure future for all Kenyans. The time for change is now!”
The 2nd Eastern Africa Agroecology Conference is not just another event; it is a turning point. The decisions made and ideas shared in the coming days will shape the future of agriculture across the region, ensuring resilience, sustainability, and food security for generations to come.
Prepared by Simon Njoroge
Dr. David Amudavi, Executive Director of Biovision Africa Trust (BvAT), was among the distinguished participants at the Global Research & Innovation Conference themed ‘Boosting Agrifood Research and Innovation Cooperation for Impact at Scale,’ held from March 11-13 in Brussels. Invited by EU DeSIRA Lift, Dr. Amudavi contributed to high-level discussions aimed at strengthening agrifood research and innovation cooperation worldwide. The conference fostered vibrant exchanges of experiences and lessons learned, where global stakeholders engaged in participatory processes to shape future interventions.
During a High-Level Panel discussion aimed at inspiring EU policies, funders, and development partners on enhancing the impact of Research and Innovations (R&I) programs, Dr. Amudavi underscored the importance of strong, multi-actor research platforms. He emphasized that such platforms must be functional and responsive to their purpose, guided by clear values, well-defined performance frameworks, structured facilitation, and a clear delineation of actor roles. Furthermore, he highlighted the role of these platforms as powerful tools for policy influence and integration.
Dr. Amudavi also stressed the need for high-value innovations within value chains, which require commitment, accountability, and effective communication. He pointed out that these innovations should cater to diverse stakeholders, including producers, extension officers, policymakers, funding institutions, and development agencies, ensuring that research outcomes translate into tangible impact at scale.
As a regional leader and Secretariat to the African Union’s Ecological Organic Agriculture Initiative (EOA-I) and related agroecological for sustainable agriculture programmes, Biovision Africa Trust plays a central role in coordinating multi-stakeholder platforms that facilitate research, policy advocacy, and innovation scaling in agroecology and sustainable agriculture. Dr. Amudavi showcased how BvAT, through its extensive network, fosters collaboration among partners to share research results, inform policies, and develop instruments that support agroecological transitions from knowledge production to large-scale adoption.
One of the key multi-stakeholder platforms BvAT organizes is the biennial Eastern Africa Agroecology Conference. Dr. Amudavi took the opportunity to inform participants about the upcoming Second Eastern Africa Agroecology Conference, set to take place in Nairobi from March 25-28, 2025. This conference will bring together diverse actors to deliberate on advancing agroecology and strengthening innovation ecosystems across the region.
The conference in Brussels attracted 150 participants, including representatives from the European Commission, policymakers from EU Member States (such as BMA and CIRAD), international research centers (e.g., CGIAR and icipe), universities, regional research and education networks (e.g., The European Alliance for Agricultural Knowledge Development Agrinatura, FARA, RUFORUM), civil society organizations, and farmer organizations like the Pan-African Farmers Organization (PAFO) among others.
Dr. Thomas Dubois, Head of Plant Health at icipe, presented insights on the EU-supported Regional Multi-Actor Research Network for Agroecology in East Africa (RMRN-EA) project. This initiative aims to drive the transition towards sustainable agri-food systems in sub-Saharan Africa through agroecology-based principles and practices. BvAT is a key partner in this project, contributing significantly to policy advocacy on agroecology in East Africa.
Dr. Leonard Mizzi, Head of Unit for Sustainable Agri-Food Systems and Fisheries at the European Commission (DG INTPA), emphasized the critical need for funding Research and Innovations that demonstrate tangible value and accountability to taxpayers. His remarks aligned with Dr. Amudavi’s perspective that stakeholders in the research and innovation ecosystem must ensure value for investments, translating funding into measurable outcomes that benefit agricultural communities and ecosystems.
Dr. Amudavi’s participation in the conference reaffirmed BvAT’s pivotal role in advancing agroecological research, innovation, and policy advocacy in Africa. By fostering multi-stakeholder collaborations, organizing impactful conferences, and contributing to research networks such as RMRN-EA, BvAT continues to champion the transformation of agri-food systems towards sustainability, resilience, and inclusivity.
On 3 March, Kenya joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Wildlife Day 2025. The event/ceremony took place at Kiborgoch Community Conservancy, hosted by Lake Bogoria National Reserve in Baringo County, under this year’s theme, “Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and the Planet.”
At the heart of this celebration was the Native PEP project, which has been actively working to restore degraded rangelands, promote native vegetation, and create sustainable solutions for human-wildlife coexistence. The project’s ongoing efforts align seamlessly with the theme, reinforcing the role of nature-based solutions in securing the future of both communities and biodiversity.
Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano, Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, led the national celebrations, where the government announced a KES 1 billion compensation fund for victims of human-wildlife conflict, pledging that funds will be disbursed within 90 days of an incident. Kenyans were urged to actively participate in wildlife conservation efforts to promote economic benefits and ensure sustainability for future generations.
“Plans to protect air, plans to protect water, plans to protect wildlife, are in fact, plans to protect human beings.” – CS Rebecca Miano.
Speaking at the event, stakeholders encouraged communities to establish conservancies to safeguard wildlife. Baringo Governor H.E. Benjamin Cheboi criticized the national government, arguing that while billions of shillings are collected from the tourism sector, little is reinvested into communities surrounding conservancies.
“Members of parliament, together with your office (Cabinet Secretary), can come up with a law to ensure funds collected from the tourism sector are plowed back into these regions. This way, we can develop roads, provide water, and enhance conservation efforts.” – Governor Benjamin Cheboi.
He showcased the county’s 16 conservancies and 14 geosites, crediting community-led efforts for creating wildlife corridors and economic opportunities. He emphasized sustainable models like conservation funds and carbon financing as vital for long-term success.
Kenya Wildlife Service Director General Prof. Erustus Kanga reaffirmed KWS’s support for over 265 conservancies, highlighting Baringo’s aloe farming and wildlife breeding programs as success stories. He acknowledged funding gaps and human-wildlife conflicts, with mitigation measures such as fencing and rapid response teams.
The Native PEP project has been at the forefront of tackling these challenges by clearing invasive species, restoring rangelands using native species and advocating for sustainable land management practices. By promoting the growth of native grasses and legumes, the project fosters ecological regeneration, ensuring these vital ecosystems can support both people and wildlife for years to come.
Native PEP actively participated in World Wildlife Day, showcasing its restoration initiatives, particularly within the Kiborgoch Community Conservancy. The team engaged visitors through informational leaflets and posters, a peatland restoration demonstration, and interactive discussions on conservation.
Key contributions of Native PEP to the host community conservancy include:
- Protection of Peatlands, a crucial water source for the conservancy.
- Establishing native tree nurseries to replenish degraded lands.
- Community engagement in seed collection, ensuring sustainability and local involvement in conservation.
Additionally, the project has focused on restoring wildlife corridors by controlling the spread of Prosopis juliflora, an invasive species threatening the Kiborgoch ecosystem. This effort is being carried out in collaboration with the Woody Weeds Project (woodyweeds.org)
By integrating conservation with community livelihoods, Native PEP is reinforcing the importance of native vegetation in sustaining wildlife and human well-being. The project continues to work closely with local communities, government agencies, and conservation organizations to scale up its restoration impact.
As Kenya marks World Wildlife Day, the contributions of initiatives like Native PEP underscore the critical role of nature-based solutions in addressing climate change, habitat loss, and human-wildlife conflicts. Strengthening these efforts will ensure a more resilient ecosystem that benefits both the environment and local communities.
Prepared by: Simon Thangu
The KCOA Project, focused on building knowledge hubs across the African continent such as the Knowledge Hub for Organic Agriculture and Agroecology in Eastern Africa(KHEA), made significant strides at the #HarvestMoneyExpo2025. Held from 14th – 16th February 2025 at Nambole Stadium, the Expo featured the Agroecology Village, organized by PELUM Uganda, a co-host and country implementing partner of the KCOA project. This event offered a platform for KHEA stakeholders—Youth Multipliers, Farmers, Women, and Students—to engage with sustainable farming practices and explore the power of agroecology in transforming agriculture.
Aligned with the theme “Value Addition and Cooperatives,” the event emphasized innovation, collaboration, and resilience in agriculture. KHEA stakeholders gained hands-on experience, built networks, and participated in critical discussions around agroecological practices, market linkages, and policy advocacy. This participation directly responds to the three strategic focus areas of the KCOA project under KHEA:
- Knowledge Collection, Assembly & Validation – Stakeholders engaged in practical learning through the Agroecology Village Exhibitions.
- Capacity Building & Knowledge Dissemination – Various capacity-building activities, including networking and collaboration, enhanced the knowledge base of stakeholders.
- Market Systems Development & Networking – The Expo provided opportunities to strengthen market linkages and advocate for sustainable agroecological policies.
- Agroecology Village Exhibitions
- Networking & Collaboration Opportunities
- #KnowWhatYouEat Consumer Awareness Campaign
- Capacity Building & Learning Initiatives
- Policy Advocacy for Sustainable Farming Systems
By Magino Pamella- KHEA Communications Officer
For the third consecutive time, the Knowledge Hub for Organic Agriculture and Agroecology in Eastern Africa (KHEA) proudly participated in BIOFACH 2025 in Nuremberg, Germany, the world’s leading trade fair for organic food. This year’s theme, “Sustainable Solutions for a Healthier Future,” aligns perfectly with KHEA’s mission of promoting organic agriculture and agroecology across Eastern Africa.
The KHEA team was well represented by; Dr. David Amudavi -Executive Director from Biovision Africa Trust in Kenya, Josephine Akia Luyimbazi from PELUM Uganda and Venancia Wambua Head of Programmes ( EOA-I and KCOA Programmes) from Biovision Africa Trust in Kenya but we also had other partners from TOAM, ROAM, PELUM Kenya and GSDM&SYMABIO in Madagascar.
Deepening Networking and Collaboration within Organic Agriculture
As part of the KCOA Project, KHEA remains committed to strengthening networking within the organic agriculture value chains—a crucial component for scaling up ecological organic agriculture in the region. This year 2025, our partners from Rwanda and Madagascar had exhibition stalls at the Biofach.
KHEA partners from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Madagascar actively engaged in the KCOA networking event, where discussions focused on:
KCOA 2.0 financing – Ensuring sustainable funding for the next phase of the project.
Implementation strategies – Enhancing the impact of organic agriculture initiatives.
Platform development – Strengthening collaboration among stakeholders.
Governance structures – Establishing frameworks for long-term sustainability.
These strategic discussions are instrumental in securing the continuity of KCOA beyond 2028, ensuring that organic agriculture continues to thrive in Eastern Africa.
Forging Global Connections for a Resilient Organic Agriculture Sector
KHEA’s presence at BIOFACH 2025 with representation from partners from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Madagascar provides an opportunity to engage with global leaders, investors, and organic agriculture champions. By fostering meaningful partnerships, KHEA aims to drive the growth of sustainable, resilient, and inclusive organic agricultural systems across the region.
Having successfully participated in BIOFACH 2022 and 2024, KHEA continues to cement its role as a key player in advancing organic agriculture in Africa, leveraging global platforms to enhance knowledge exchange, market access, and policy influence.
Prepared by Magino Pamela – KHEA Communications Officer 
Biovision Africa Trust Launches The O-Farms II Project Funded by Bopinc and Holds a Validation Workshop for A Study on Analysis of Policy Inhibitors and Enablers of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) In Zero Waste and Circular Economy Products
On February 24th and 25th 2025, Biovision Africa Trust (BvAT) convened a two-day validation workshop at Verona Hotel, Nairobi, to validate the findings of a policy study on inhibitors and enablers for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) In Zero Waste and Circular Economy Products in Kenya and Uganda. The study, conducted by AGILE Consultants and funded by BOPINC, is a critical component of the O-Farms Phase II initiative, which aims to accelerate circular enterprises to design out food waste in East Africa while building a supportive ecosystem for future enterprises.
The workshop brought together twenty (20) key stakeholders, including representatives from the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the African Organization for Standardization (ARSO), the Kenya Extended Producer Responsibility Organization (KEPRO), SMEs in the zero-waste sector, farmers, and private sector organizations.
The study sought to identify and document current zero-waste and circular economy policies and regulatory frameworks focused on SMEs. It also analyzed limitations, gaps, and constraints in existing legislation and policy processes related to the circular economy in Kenya. Furthermore, the study sought to provide recommendations to address policy inhibitors and barriers, with a focus on at least three key inhibitors. In addition, a regional policy and advocacy implementation plan with clear targets and timelines will be developed, along with a country-specific policy brief for Kenya outlining key findings and recommendations.
In his opening remarks, Dr. David Amudavi, the Executive Director of Biovision Africa Trust welcomed all the workshop stakeholders with optimism that the workshop would culminate in the validation of 3-5 key policy barriers to the growth of SMEs in zero waste and circular economy. He underscored the need to support the SMEs in zero waste and circular economy through enabling policies.
Ms. Venancia Wambua in her opening remarks introduced the participants to the O-Farms II project funded by BOPINC. She informed the stakeholders that O-Farms II came on board after the successful completion of O-Farms I which was implemented for 4 years and supported 40 SMEs (20 in Kenya and 20 in Uganda). She added that O-Farms II has increased the number of SMEs to 100 (50 in Kenya and 50 in Uganda) and brings on board a strong policy component that was not there in O-Farms I and was necessitated by the policy barriers experienced by SMEs. She further stated that Biovision Africa Trust (BvAT) takes the lead in the Policy component due to its wealth of experience in policy development in the organic and agroecology sectors. BvAT will co-implement the project with Pelum Uganda in Uganda for 4 years.
During the workshop deliberations, stakeholders noted that SMEs in waste management must obtain multiple licenses depending on their role in the value chain, such as for transportation, disposal, or recycling. On the one hand, KEBS oversees product standardization to ensure safety, quality, and eco-labeling; however, many SMEs lack awareness of these standards. On the other hand, ARSO plays a role in harmonizing standards and providing conformity assessments for SMEs engaged in international trade. Also, KEPRO offers incubation programs to support SMEs transitioning to circularity, while sustainability standards for circular products must align with governance, social, environmental, and economic pillars. Harmonizing the roles of these institutions and organizations to create an enabling environment for SMEs would be an important step.
Dr. David Amudavi, in his further remarks, pointed out five key principles that could guide the engagement of SMEs in the circular economy. These principles could be summarized into a 5Cs Framework as follows:
- Co-creation – leveraging individual knowledge and experience for sector and product development.
- Capacitation – building SME capabilities in circular economy practices and products.
- Customer focus – producing products that meet market needs.
- Creativity and innovation – fostering innovative solutions to drive developments in circular economy.
- Compliance – adhering to local and international regulatory frameworks and procedures.
The workshop thus identified a total of nine (9) policy barriers. Of the identified nine (9) policy barriers, 3 major policy barriers included:
- Limited access to finance for the implementation of requirements (infrastructure) – The workshop identified several strategies to enhance access to finance including government subsidies, grants, and low-interest loans that can provide financial relief. Also, green bonds and impact investing can attract capital for sustainable projects. Furthermore, Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) can facilitate financing and technical support. SME networks can also pool resources and leverage collective bargaining whereas crowdfunding platforms provide an alternative funding source.
- Limited access to appropriate technology and innovations – Key interventions recommended include the identification and categorization of SMEs involved in the production of relevant circular economy products; training and incubation programs for artisans, jua kali workers, and producers; and financial support from development partners, banks, and government agencies for acquiring necessary infrastructure such as machines, internet, and power.
- Low political goodwill, & Weak policy implementation and enforcement – Recommendations included establishing a national body for circular economy advocacy involving key stakeholders such as the Ministry of Trade, Cooperative Societies, and NGOs; raising awareness among policymakers on the economic value of circular products; integrating circular economy principles into national and medium-term development plans through government ministries such as the Ministries of Trade and Environment; and introducing business incentives such as tax breaks and grants to encourage sustainable practices while strengthening relationships between SMEs and policymakers.
As the rigorous two-day workshop ended, Dr. David Amudavi thanked the AGILE Consultancy firm for compiling the policy report. He also acknowledged the contributions of each stakeholder who attended the workshop while stating that the undertaking is deemed to support the SMEs in zero waste and circular economy in the country. The focus will now be on the three main policy inhibitors and drawing a collaborative policy component to address them. He noted that if resources allow, a physical stakeholder meeting would be reconvened to disseminate the final study findings. He also called upon the respective stakeholders to involve BvAT in similar workshops or brainstorming sessions. Importantly, collaborations between the stakeholders are important more so among SMEs.
Prepared by Ms Venancia Wambua
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
