KHEA at the 2nd Eastern Africa Agroecology Conference: Advancing Agroecology Through Knowledge and Collaboration

The 2nd Eastern Africa Agroecology Conference (EAAC 2025), held from March 25th to 28th in Nairobi, Kenya, brought together over 800 participants from 42 countries, signaling a strong regional commitment to sustainable, climate-resilient, and equitable food systems. Under the theme “Strengthening Resilience and Sustainability of Agri-Food Systems in Eastern Africa Through Agroecology,” the conference focused on strategies for scaling up agroecological practices, enhancing policy support, and mobilizing resources for sustainable agriculture.

KHEA Side Event: Strengthening Agroecology in Eastern Africa

As a key knowledge hub in the region, the Knowledge Hub for Organic Agriculture and Agroecology in Eastern Africa (KHEA) implementing the Knowledge Centre for Organic Agriculture and Agroecology in Africa (KCOA) Project played an active role in the conference, hosting a Side Event moderated by the KHEA Project Manager from BvAT/PELUM Uganda – Mr. Francis Nsanga on March 26th in Nyati Hall at Argyle Hotel in Kenya under the theme; “The Contribution of the KCOA Initiative to the Agroecology Sector in Africa: The Past, Present, and Future.” The KHEA hub also engaged stakeholders through an exhibition showcasing success stories and agroecological innovations.

The KHEA Side Event brought together farmers, researchers, policymakers, and development partners from across the region to reflect on the past, present, and future of agroecology in Africa.

The Side Event had a Keynote speech by Florian Peloschek from GIZ Germany-KCOA on the global milestones and achievements of the KCOA initiative. There was also a presentation by Lennox Ouma, the M&E Officer from BvAT, about the impact of KHEA in Eastern Africa from August 2019 – January 2025. Besides the keynote presentations, the Side Event had panel discussions of KHEA Multipliers sharing the key successes experienced during the project implantation period. The event was attended by KHEA partners from Uganda-PELUM Uganda, Kenya-PELUM Kenya, Rwanda-ROAM, Tanzania-TOAM, and Madagascar-GSDM&SYMABIO, reinforcing the collaborative and multi-country approach of the initiative. The discussions further strengthened the knowledge-sharing efforts between implementing partners and donors.

Key Takeaways from the Discussions:

1. Scaling Up Agroecology Requires Investment – The need for dedicated funding to support smallholder farmers, youth, and women in agroecology was emphasized. Participants echoed the broader conference recommendations of allocating at least 20% of agriculture budgets to agroecology programs.
2. Policy and Certification Matter – Strengthening the adoption of East African Organic Standards and certification models like Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) was highlighted as key to increasing consumer trust and market access for organic products.
3. Farmer-Led Approaches Drive Sustainability – Speakers emphasized the need for participatory decision-making, ensuring that farmers’ voices and indigenous knowledge are integrated into agroecological solutions.
4. Market Development and Value Chains – Addressing market challenges requires empowering farmers to establish their own selling points, ensuring better market linkages for organic and agroecological products.
5. Climate Resilience and Agroecology – With land degradation and climate change threatening food security, the adoption of drought-resistant crops, ecological soil restoration, and agroforestry was identified as a critical pathway to resilience.

The event concluded with a resounding commitment to continue strengthening agroecological networks, policy advocacy, and farmer training, ensuring that agroecology remains at the heart of sustainable food systems in Eastern Africa.

KHEA’s Broader Engagement at EAAC 2025

In addition to hosting a very successful Side Event, the KHEA team actively participated in several key sessions during the conference. These engagements provided opportunities to contribute insights on agroecological policies, financing, farmer-centered knowledge systems, and the role of innovation in sustainable agriculture. By taking part in discussions with policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders, KHEA reinforced its commitment to advancing agroecology across Eastern Africa.

Exhibition by KHEA at the 2nd #EAAC2025

Beyond the Side Event, KHEA was actively engaged in the EAAC exhibition, where our diverse team of partners from Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Madagascar showcased:

• Agroecological products and innovations exhibited by KHEA Multipliers, including bio-fertilizers, bio-pesticides, soil health solutions, and value-added organic products.
• One-on-one consultation sessions, where KHEA Multipliers engaged directly with conference participants, offering insights into practical agroecological solutions for soil fertility, organic pest management, and sustainable farming practices.
• Success stories and knowledge-sharing materials, highlighting the impact of KCOA-KHEA in transforming agriculture across the region.

This provided a valuable opportunity to exchange knowledge, build partnerships, and explore future collaborations for strengthening organic and agroecological agriculture in Africa.

A Collective Commitment to Agroecological Transformation

The 2nd #EAAC2025 ended with a clear roadmap for advancing agroecology. The key points in the call to action included:

The need for increased investment in agroecology programs targeting farmers, women, and youth.
Strengthening policy frameworks to integrate agroecology into national agricultural strategies.
Innovative financing models to support the transition to sustainable food systems.
Scaling agroecological innovation and mechanization for improved productivity.

With the momentum gained from the conference, KHEA remains committed to fostering knowledge exchange, farmer empowerment, and policy advocacy to drive the agroecological movement forward in Eastern Africa.

Together, we are shaping the future of sustainable agriculture