The African Agricultural Research, Innovation, and Education Institutions (AARIEIs)

9 April 2025. To scale up research on food and nutrition security on the continent, several African agricultural organizations have formed an umbrella body called the African Agricultural Research, Innovation, and Education Institutions (AARIEIs).

The new umbrella body has been founded by the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA), the West and Central Africa Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF), the Center for Coordination of Agricultural Research for Development in Southern Africa (CCARDESA), the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), the North Africa Sub Regional Organization (NASRO) and the African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS). AARIEIs is expected to help them improve their linkages on research, extension and higher education.

• On climate change, the partnership plans to focus on joint research in crop and livestock breeding, soil health, regenerative and digital agriculture as part of strengthening collaborative research for sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural technologies.
• It will also have a joint development of climate-smart innovations, nature-positive agroecology, AI-driven precision agriculture, big data analytics, and policy-oriented research for food security and sustainable investment.
• It will emphasize technology transfer and scaling for impact, capacity sharing and development, monitoring, evaluation and learning, and resource mobilization in ensuring that Africa becomes self-sufficient in food production.
• AARIEIs will also establish regional innovation hubs and strengthen private sector linkages and ensure that agricultural technologies reach their intended users.
• It will also promote community-driven technology adaptation, delivery and extension services throughout Sub Saharan Africa (SSA).

At the CGIAR Science Week, the African Agricultural Research, Innovation & Education Institutions (AARIEI) signed a Partnership Engagement Framework with the CGIAR to foster research, innovation, capacity building, and impact-driven solutions to support Africa’s agricultural transformation. 

• The two organizations now have a guiding structure to strengthen collaboration that is expected to foster strategic partnerships, knowledge exchange, and joint innovation efforts.
• It will help enhance partnerships between CGIAR and AARIEIs for joint research, innovation, and policy influence, and also align development agenda with the AU Agenda 2063, CAADP-Kampala Strategy, CGIAR 2025-2030 research strategy, and regional agricultural policies.
• The organization aims to drive a culture shift toward more equal and healthy partnerships for capacity sharing between and among CGIAR and partners advancing food, land, and water systems transformation.

Emphasis will also be put on enhancing research infrastructure within AARIEIs, fostering South-South collaboration and peer learning, and expanding digital learning and open knowledge platforms to facilitate information sharing and skill development.

Related:

11 April 2025. Strengthening Africa’s Seed Systems: AU Calls for Harmonisation and South–South Cooperation.

At the recently concluded CGIAR Science Week side event titled “Breeding for Tomorrow: Inclusive Delivery,” Ms Beatrice Egulu from the African Union Commission (AUC) delivered a compelling address, advocating for deeper continental integration and innovation in seed systems to ensure equitable access and regional impact. The high-level panel session, held at the United Nations Office in Nairobi, brought together prominent voices from the African agricultural sector under the theme of “Inclusive Delivery”, a strategic framework aimed at transforming breeding programmes for greater reach, uptake, and farmer impact.

Ms Egulu highlighted the disparity between promising regional frameworks—such as the COMESA Variety Catalogue, ECOWAS seed regulations and SADC’s Harmonised Seed Regulatory System – and their actual implementation. Despite protocols for mutual recognition, numerous African countries continue to impose redundant variety testing, outdated national laws, and limited regulatory capacity, thereby hindering access to improved varieties.

South-South Cooperation (SSC): A Strategic Pathway to Scale

Discussing the significance of South–South Cooperation, Ms Egulu described it as a cornerstone for democratizing agricultural innovation in Africa. She noted that SSC facilitates the exchange of technologies and institutional best practices—from East African seed traceability systems inspired by Asia to participatory breeding models adapted across African regions.

“SSC is not just a tool. It is a pathway to shared sovereignty and resilience in seed systems.”

To institutionalise these gains, she called for:

• Integrating the SSC into the African Seed and Biotechnology Programme (ASBP) and the framework of the CAADP-Kampala Declaration.
• Utilising triangular cooperation to mobilise financial and technical support.
• Mainstreaming SSC within broader frameworks such as STISA-2024 and the African Agribusiness Strategy.

Opportunities and challenges of Farmers-led Action Research

10 April 2025. @4.00 to 15.00. Opportunities and challenges of Farmers-led Action Research.

• Key findings, conclusions and learnings of the implementation of Action-Research Projects under the EU-funded “Farmers Organisations Leading Research & Innovation on agroecology for sustainable food systems” (FORI) by Laurent DIETSCH, Agronomist from the Experimentation and Research Group: Development and Localized Actions (GERDAL : Groupe d’Expérimentation et de Recherche : Développement et Actions Localisées)
• Specific insights into the experience of implementing Action-Research under the FORI Programme in Burundi by Annick SEZIBERA, Executive Secretary of the Confederation of Associations of Agricultural Producers for Development (CAPAD)

Forum for the Future of Agriculture

April 1, 2025. The Forum for the Future of Agriculture (ForumforAg) Annual Conference consisted of live broadcasts, moderated panel discussions and dialogues, interactive interventions, networking opportunities and exhibitions, live in Brussels and online.

Extracts of the programme

Session 1 – Geopolitics – The reality of our fears

• Viorel Gutu, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia
• Francis Malige, Managing Director of Financial Institutions, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
• Mairéad McGuinness, former European Commissioner for financial services, financial stability and Capital Markets Union & former First Vice-President, European Parliament
• Luís Rua, Secretary of Trade and International Relations, Ministry of Agriculture, Brazil
• Moderator: Stephen Sackur, International Broadcast Journalist

From soil science to policy

March 31, 2025. This SOILGUARD event, hosted by the Forum for the Future of Agriculture, provided a unique opportunity to spotlight the critical role of soil biodiversity in sustainable land management. Attendees will learn about the latest tools and methodologies for soil health evaluation, policy integration, and practical solutions. The event translated scientific findings into impactful policies through expert panels, innovative projects like SOILGUARD and others, and targeted sessions for diverse stakeholders. Focusing on a knowledge dialogue, actionable recommendations, and dynamic policy discussions, this conference aims to contribute to shaping the future of soil biodiversity strategies.

Session 1: SOILGUARD: Sustainable soil management to unleash soil biodiversity potential and increase environmental, economic, and social well-being

Soil is the foundation of our environment, economy, and food systems—but how well do we understand the biodiversity beneath our feet? A special highlight is the SoilGuardians App, a powerful tool designed to predict how climate change and land management affect social well-being.

Session 2: Measuring soil biodiversity

SOILGUARD identified four key indicators for measuring soil biodiversity, drawing on extensive research findings. 

Session 3: Practical recommendations and policy integration for sustainable soil management

Experts discussed the alignment of these recommendations with the Soil Monitoring and Resilience Directive and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), while also addressed challenges and opportunities in integrating practical solutions with policy.

Key research messages of SOILGUARD 

Regional/local context and soil management are highly relevant: 

There is a high variability in soil biodiversity depending on region’s climate, soil’s properties and geographical location.

• Climate is the primary driver of cropland biodiversity with high temperatures in warm seasons and aridity potentially linked to biodiversity loss.
• Soil biodiversity can go hand in hand with both soil multifunctionality and crop yields.
• The perceptions of soil contributions to human well-being vary significantly across regions.
• The SoilGuardians App is an innovative tool developed during the project. It serves as a decision-support platform to help farmers evaluate the impacts of their management practices on soil biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.

How do we link the knowledge on Soil monitoring and Climate change resilience to Policy?

• Facilitate the collaboration and cooperation between the existing EU networks and different stakeholders to scale up the success of soil health initiatives.
• Ensure a strong science-to-policy interface, where knowledge and insights are shared and transformed into actionable information for both farmers and policymakers.
• There is a general undervaluation of long-term impacts in both farming and policymaking.

Sustainable Food Systems Through Indigenous Crops

8 April 2025. Rooted in Tradition, Growing for the Future: Sustainable Food Systems Through Indigenous Crops

• The Africa-Europe Cluster of Research Excellence in Sustainable Food Systems (CoRE-SFS), co-led by the University of Pretoria and the University of Bologna, has launched a webinar series focusing on key topics shaping the future of sustainable food systems.
• Looking specifically at the untapped potential of indigenous crops in shaping sustainable food systems, this webinar will highlight how traditional agricultural knowledge, combined with modern innovations, can drive food security, resilience, and economic opportunity.

Complete Programme of the Webinar series

Presenters

• peter.baguma@mak.ac.ug
• riette.dekock@up.ac.za

About CoRE-SFS 

Food system challenges, including food insecurity, malnutrition, and poverty, persist in Africa. In 2023, the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) and The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities (The Guild) launched 17 research clusters to foster collaborative research across Africa and Europe. Each Africa-

Europe Cluster of Research Excellence (CoRE) pairs researchers from at least three African and two European universities to tackle major scientific issues through research and education. 

One of these clusters, the Africa-Europe Cluster of Research Excellence in Sustainable Food Systems (CoRE-SFS), is co-led by the University of Pretoria and the University of Bologna. This global platform includes 22 partners from across Africa and Europe collaborating on challenge-driven, integrated, and engaged research, focusing on sustainable food systems. 

RECORDING FORTHCOMING

Special Session on Pesticides in Agriculture at the Eastern Africa Agroecology Conference

25 - 28 March 2025. The 2nd Eastern Africa Agroecology Conference (EAAC25) Transforming Food Systems for Responsible Production, Consumption and Social Wellbeing

27/03 Parallel Session 5: Special Session on Pesticides in Agriculture

1. Alice Blondel, SwedWatch CEO: Corporate responsibility in the context of hazardous pesticides
2. Eustace Kiarii, CEO KOAN: Pesticides advocacy in Kenya and the gains achieved
3. Dr. Ngaruiya, Pest Control Produce Board (PCPB): Initiatives by PCPB to remove HHPS from the market
4. Christine Gatwiri, Project Coordinator Route to Food Initiative (RTFI) HBS
5. Dr. Monica Nderitu, Agroforestry Network: Agroforestry and Agroecology – sustainable and safe alternatives to pesticides for increased biodiversity and human health Brief on Agroforestry and Agroecology as sustainable – Launch of the Agroforestry Policy Brief

Resource:

Agroforestry Network (2025) Agroforestry and agroecology – Sustainable and safe alternatives to pesticides # 12 pp.

This brief outlines how agroforestry and agroecology can serve as sustainable alternatives to synthetic pesticides, and simultaneously build resilient agri-ecosystems, combat climate change, and empower smallholder farmers and vulnerable communities to adapt to the challenges of a changing climate.

Example:

A tree normally grown as a wind breaker or planted as a fence by Kenyan farmers now offers a new opportunity for biopesticide production.

• 
  Croton megalocarpus, a tree native to East Africa, holds potential as a source of natural pesticides and organic fertilizers, with its nuts and husks containing compounds that can be used for pest control and soil enrichment. 
• The croton tree, a non-food crop known as Msenefu in Kiswahili, Omkinduli in Luhya, Mukinduri in Gikuyu , Kelelwet in Kipsigis and Lemaruguet, Masineitel, Mkigara, Mlalai, Muhande and Musine in various other parts of Kenya, is promising equal opportunities in the quantity and quality of biofuel, according to biofuel experts. 
• Croton megalocarpus grows naturally in various ecological zones- from the Coast to the highlands of central Kenya and the dry lands of the North Rift. In these regions, the annual rainfall ranges between 400mm and 1,400mm.

Integrated Biopesticides Manufacturers Association of Kenya (IBMA-Kenya) 

IBMA-Kenya is a non-profit brainchild of the four leading producers of biological control products in Kenya (The Real IPM (K) Ltd, Koppert Biologicals, Dudutech Integrated Pest Management Ltd, and Elephant Vert Kenya, KAPI Limited) primarily to promote and advocate the use of biologicals in integrated crop protection, organic farming, and public hygiene.

• Born from the larger IBMA Global (head office in Brussels), IBMA-Kenya endeavors to provide localized awareness and advocacy on the importance of Integrated Pest Management as well as increased adoption of Biocontrol products in the horticultural space.
• It represents manufacturers, distributors, and growers of Biocontrol solutions and products that are environmentally safe, and harnessed, or harvested from nature.
• Green biocontrol tools protect the crops and environment presently and most importantly in the future, and should be the first measure considered for preventative and curative control of pests and diseases sustainably.

KAPI Limited

KAPI Limited is primarily a formulator and manufacturer of insecticidal products for the home, for agriculture, for livestock and for public health.

Founded in 1964 and based in Nakuru Kenya, KAPI Limited employs over 200 people both at the factory and out in the field. 

Contact: Pepe SHAW, Marketing KAPI Limited

Related resource: 

Darshika Senadheera, Ravi Khetarpal (2025) Highlights from ABCoP 2024 Setting the Stage for 2025 18 pp.

APAARI launched the Asia-Pacific Biopesticide Community of Practice (ABCoP) in May 2024, with the support of FAO, STDF, government agencies, private sector and international organizations such as AARINENA and FARA, to bring together stakeholders from the biopesticide sector, including industry leaders, researchers, policymakers, national representatives and other key actors.

The biopesticides industry's future is promising, with over 300 global companies developing products for pests, diseases, weeds, and nematodes. While bioinsecticides lead the market, bionematicides are gaining momentum. Growing interest from investors, manufacturers, and consumers signals strong
growth potential, driving innovation and expansion in coming years.

The ABCoP program highlights the transformative potential of biopesticides in agriculture while emphasizing the importance of continued collaboration, innovation, regulatory reform, and education. These efforts are essential to fully realizing the potential of biopesticides in ensuring sustainable food production and trade in the region.

Webinars:

• 31 October 2024. Asia-Pacific Biopesticides Community of Practice.
• 27 November 2024. 7th Asia-Pacific Biopesticides Community of Practice event
• 29 January 2025. 1st Asia-Pacific Biopesticides Community of Practice (ABCOP) - For the Promotion of Biopesticides and Enhancement of Trade Opportunities
• 28 February 2025. 2nd Asia Pacific Biopesticides Community of Practice Discussions on Role of Biopesticides in Agriculture
• 26 March 2025. 3rd Asia Pacific Biopesticides Community of Practice. Searching for microbial solutions to enhance rice disease resistance

3rd Asia Pacific Biopesticides Community of Practice

26 March 2025. 3rd Asia Pacific Biopesticides Community of Practice. For the Promotion of Biopesticides and enhancement of trade opportunities : 

• Dr. Van Schepler-Luu - Searching for microbial solutions to enhance rice disease resistance

Organised by Asia-Pacific Biopesticides Community of Practice (ABCOP). APAARI launched the Asia-Pacific Biopesticide Community of Practice (ABCoP) in May 2024, with the support of FAO, STDF, government agencies, private sector and international organizations such as AARINENA and FARA, to bring together stakeholders from the biopesticide sector, including industry leaders, researchers, policymakers, national representatives and other key actors.

Unlocking Generative AI for agriculture in LMICs

3 April 2025 - 15:00-16:30 CEST/ GMT + 2) | Unlocking Generative AI for agriculture in LMICs

• Experts from FAO, Digital Green, Ubuntoo, Kissan AI, and Digital Agri Hub will showcase AI-driven solutions such as Agri-based large language models (LLMs), chatbots, and digital tools for data-driven decision-making in agriculture.
• The session included flash presentations from solution providers, a panel discussion and an interactive discussion via Q&A focusing on AI applications beyond cultivation, challenges in LMICs, and key debates like open source vs. supervised AI models.
• This event provided practical insights, expert knowledge, and networking opportunities for D4Ag actors, policymakers, and innovators.

 

Please refer to the public link HERE to access webinar slides.

CGIAR Science Week, Nairobi

7-12 April 2025. CGIAR Science Week, Nairobi. CGIAR and the Kenyan Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) convened science leaders and global decision-makers in Nairobi, Kenya, for the inaugural CGIAR Science Week.  Over 10,000 delegates, including farmers, science experts, policymakers, partners, and funders, convened in person and online at Science Week. 

Plenary speakers, along with a full schedule of events, exhibitions, field trips, and workshops, can be found HERE

Science Week also marks the roll-out of CGIAR’s new Research Portfolio 2025-2030, a significant scale-up in our ambition and capacity to tackle the impact of some of the world’s most pressing environmental and nutritional challenges. This groundbreaking six-year initiative, CGIAR’s longest to date, will channel $6-$12 billion in estimated funding to deliver critical research for over 100 countries and 3,000 local partners, fostering sustainable farming, food security, and livelihood resilience.

Extract of the program

07/04 Plenary 1: Opening Ceremony - Welcoming Science

CGIAR Science Week opened with a high-level plenary session that underscored the organization's unwavering commitment to international agricultural research and the critical role of sustained global investment in innovation, technology, and science. 

This session served as a cornerstone for the week, setting the stage for exploring transformative solutions to the complex challenges facing agri-food systems. 

• Recognizing the interconnected and context-specific nature of these challenges, the session reflected on past successes and lessons learned while embracing new approaches that prioritize inclusivity, partnership, and innovation. 
• A key focus was how CGIAR can foster mission-driven collaborations—particularly through South-South cooperation—to ensure that agricultural advancements reach those who need them most, especially marginalized and underserved farming communities. 
• By welcoming diverse perspectives and leveraging cutting-edge research, this plenary guided the reimagining of a sustainable and resilient future for people, the planet, and food systems worldwide.

Segment 1: Opening Ceremony - Welcoming Science 

1. Sequence I.1: Welcome remarks 
2. Sequence 1.2: Panel Discussion - Science for the Future  
3. Sequence 1.3: Opening remarks 
4. Sequence 1.4: High-Level Roundtable Discussion – Innovations and Partnerships for Food Security 
5. Sequence 1.5: Official Opening with the Chief Guest 

 

Segment 2: Empowering Inclusivity 

1. Sequence 2.1:  Panel Discussion: Addressing the challenges of our time with inclusive innovation. 
2. Sequence 2.2: Fireside chat: Empowering Inclusivity 
3. Sequence 2.3: Scene Setting on Partnerships - See: GFAiR @ the Sequence 2.3: Scene Setting on Partnerships
4. Sequence 2.4: Panel Discussion: Power in Partnership

08/04 Plenary 2: Building Bridges & Scaling Impact

This session highlighted efforts to enhance collaboration within the ASEAN region and explore South-South cooperation. 

Sequence 1: ASEAN Focus: Fostering Regional Integration & South-South collaboration 

Sequence 2: CGIAR’s Portfolio 2025-30 Update 

09/04 Plenary 3: Targeting Transformation - Africa & Harvesting Innovation - Latin America & Caribbean

10/04 Plenary 4: Connecting Science & Growing Frontiers

11/04 Plenary 5: Closing Ceremony

Side Events

• 07/04/2025. @18:30 - 20:00 CIFOR-ICRAF & BGI Group Reception
• 07/04/2025. @18:30 - 20:00 Gathering for Growth: A Unified Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (Opportunity Crops) The implementation of VACS is designed to achieve the above goals through an Implementers Group made up of CGIAR, FAO, IFAD, and Crop Trust.
• 08/04/2025. @ 08:00 - 10:00. Empowering CGIAR and its Partners to Harness Data for Agronomic Solutions to Global Challenges

The GFAiR Progress and Prospects Meeting

7 April 2025. Nairobi. ​The GFAiR Progress and Prospects Meeting is a pivotal gathering organized by the Global Forum on Agricultural Innovation and Research (GFAiR) to assess advancements, share insights, and strategize future directions in agricultural research and innovation. This meeting convenes stakeholders from National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS), international organizations, donors, and the private sector to foster collaboration and ensure that research initiatives are effectively aligned with the evolving needs of global food systems.

The meeting was held in Nairobi, Kenya and online before the CGIAR Science Week and the Global NARS Consortium launch scheduled on 10 April at 10.30-12.00. The Global NARS Consortium (GNC) aims to transform agricultural research by shifting National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) from passive implementers to active leaders, bridging the gap between research and real-world impact through strategic partnerships, sustainable investments, and a demand-driven agenda. The Call to Action for the Global NARS Consortium (GNC) urges stakeholders to commit to strengthening NARS' leadership in agricultural research through strategic collaboration, resource mobilization, capacity building, and policy advocacy to drive impactful, evidence-based solutions for global agrifood challenges.

This Progress and Prospects meeting provided an overview of the recent work progress on Global NARS Consortium, Collective Actions and explored potential funding and other partnerships to address common challenges and achieve common objectives. 

• Dr. Ravi Khetarpal, Chair, GFAiR Steering Committee, Welcome and opening   
• Prof. Dr. Hildegard Lingnau, GFAiR Executive Secretary  - Update on progress and prospects 
• Dr. Selim Louafi, Deputy Director for Research and Strategy, CIRAD -  Keynote speech
• Dr.  Romano De Vivo, Vice-Chair, GFAiR Steering Committee + Francois Stepman GFAiR - Potential funding and other partnerships 

Integrating Agroecology within NAPs and NDCs

2 April 2025. Study Report Launch – Integrating Agroecology within NAPs and NDCs by AFSAThe report examines how key agroecological principles like biodiversity, soil health, and community participation are often referenced in policy documents without being fully recognized or supported. 

Through in-depth desk reviews, expert interviews, and a regional stakeholder workshop, the study highlights major barriers, including limited policy support, weak institutional capacity, and the dominance of industrial agriculture models.

Resources:

AFSA (2025) Integration of Agroecology in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National
Adaptation Plans (NAPs) in Africa # 44 pp.

This report is not just a call for policymakers but also a wake-up call to all actors including governments, development agencies, fi nancial institutions, and civil society to work together to adopt agroecology into Africa’s climate commitments. The urgency of the climate crisis demands that we

act now to elevate agroecology as the pathway toward a sustainable, climate resilient future for Africa.

AFSA (2025) POLICY BRIEF: Integration of Agroecology in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) in Africa # 8 pp.

COLEAD's Research and Innovation Brokerage Department

2 April 2025. COLEAD's Research and Innovation Brokerage Department Research programme:  Research in the field for those working in the field

COLEAD's Role: COLEAD is a private sector association (not-for-profit) that facilitates actions to increase the contribution of the agricultural sector to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. They design and manage development programs in the agriculture and food sector, providing technical assistance, vocational training, and support services, including research and innovation brokerage.

COLEAD's Research and Innovation Brokerage Department: This department develops solutions tailored to the challenges faced by fruit and vegetable producers in ACP countries, focusing on validated technologies like plant protection and AI to intercropping and crop rotation.

COLEAD's Activities: COLEAD also aims to facilitate relations with stakeholders involved in strengthening the competitiveness of fruit and vegetable sectors, particularly those responsible for setting up sanitary and phytosanitary safety systems.

COLEAD's Technical Resources: They also develop and disseminate technical resources based on the specific needs of the horticultural sector in African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries.

Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit

27 March 2025. Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit

Complementing the Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Vision and Road Map and the Commitment Guide, the six thematic working groups of the N4G International Advisory Group have formulated recommendations and examples of commitments across the six N4G thematic areas.

Developed through a multistakeholder consultative process (thematic working groups are composed of representatives from organizations in the N4G International Advisory Group representing governments, international organizations, civil society organizations, philanthropies and the private sector; these groups have been moderated by UN agencies), they provide a thematic analysis of gaps and evidence on effective strategies to advance nutrition outcomes, with an aim to support stakeholders – such as governments, bilateral and multilateral donors, UN organizations, civil society organizations, businesses and research institutions – in developing meaningful financial and political commitments for N4G Paris.

These thematic recommendations are available at the following links:

• Nutrition, Health and Social Protection
• Nutrition, transition to sustainable climate-smart and resilient food systems
• Nutrition and Resilience to Crisis
• Nutrition and Gender Equality
• Data, Research, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Innovation for Nutrition
• Financing and Accountability for Nutrition

Webinars April 2025

2 April 2025, 14:30-15:30 (UTC). COLEAD's Research and Innovation Brokerage Department Research programme Research in the field for those working in the field

2 April 2025. Study Report Launch – Integrating Agroecology within NAPs and NDCs by AFSA

• The report examines how key agroecological principles like biodiversity, soil health, and community participation are often referenced in policy documents without being fully recognized or supported. Through in-depth desk reviews, expert interviews, and a regional stakeholder workshop, the study highlights major barriers, including limited policy support, weak institutional capacity, and the dominance of industrial agriculture models.
• NEW REPORT: Integration of Agroecology in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) in Africa
• POLICY BRIEF: Integration of Agroecology in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) in Africa

2 -4 April 2025. APPSA scientific conference - by CCARDESA

3 April 2025 - 15:00-16:30 CEST/ GMT + 2) | Unlocking Generative AI for agriculture in LMICs

• Experts from FAO, Digital Green, Ubuntoo, Kissan AI, and Digital Agri Hub will showcase AI-driven solutions such as Agri-based large language models (LLMs), chatbots, and digital tools for data-driven decision-making in agriculture.
• The session will include flash presentations from solution providers, a panel discussion and an interactive discussion via Q&A focusing on AI applications beyond cultivation, challenges in LMICs, and key debates like open source vs. supervised AI models.
• This event will provide practical insights, expert knowledge, and networking opportunities for D4Ag actors, policymakers, and innovators.

7-9 April 2025. Salzburg, Austria. World Mycotoxin Forum - 15th conference

7-12 April 2025. CGIAR Science Week, Nairobi

• 07/04 Plenary 1: Opening Ceremony - Welcoming Science
• 08/04 Plenary 2: Building Bridges & Scaling Impact
• 09/04 Plenary 3: Targeting Transformation - Africa & Harvesting Innovation - Latin America & Caribbean
• 10/04 Plenary 4: Connecting Science  & Growing Frontiers
• 11/04 Plenary 5: Closing Ceremony

Side Events 

• 07/04/2025. @18:30 - 20:00 CIFOR-ICRAF & BGI Group Reception
• 07/04/2025. @18:30 - 20:00 Gathering for Growth: A Unified Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (Opportunity Crops) The implementation of VACS is designed to achieve the above goals through an Implementers Group made up of CGIAR, FAO, IFAD, and Crop Trust.
• 08/04/2025. @ 08:00 - 10:00. Empowering CGIAR and its Partners to Harness Data for Agronomic Solutions to Global Challenges

7-9 April 2025 UNFSS+4 Regional Preparatory Meeting Latin America and the Caribbean | Santiago de Chile

8 April 2025. 11:00 – 12:00 (GMT +02). Rooted in Tradition, Growing for the Future: Sustainable Food Systems Through Indigenous Crops

• The Africa-Europe Cluster of Research Excellence in Sustainable Food Systems (CoRE-SFS), co-led by the University of Pretoria and the University of Bologna, has launched a webinar series focusing on key topics shaping the future of sustainable food systems.
• Looking specifically at the untapped potential of indigenous crops in shaping sustainable food systems, this webinar will highlight how traditional agricultural knowledge, combined with modern innovations, can drive food security, resilience, and economic opportunity.

8 April 2025. @1pm to 2pm GMT. Climate-smart agriculture: how technology can power data-driven sustainability in food systems

8 April 2025.  @15:00-16:30. What to know before starting an FFS programme on Climate Change: key first steps 

• Who are the essential partners and stakeholders to involve during the preliminary phase of an FFS programme on climate change?
• What skills and technical competencies do Master Trainers and Facilitators need?
• How should the preliminary studies be conducted and what are their main objectives? 
• What tools can be used to assess a community’s climate vulnerability?
• Who are the key actors to invite to the curriculum development, and what is the main objective?

9 April 2025, from 14:00-16:00 UTC.  Strategies for Effective Marketing and Branding.

• The 2nd session of the UN Women - COLEAD South-South Series 
• This session will be held online on Wednesday, and will be available in English and French.
• This session aims to address the unique challenges women entrepreneurs face in marketing and branding, and to provide strategies for overcoming these obstacles. It will explore how effective marketing and branding can help women-led businesses thrive, attract loyal customers, and build sustainable competitive advantages.
• Programme: English and French / Biodata: English and French / Registration: Link

9 April 2025. @11:00 - 12:30 (CEST)  InfoPoint Conference: “Cultivating Change: Advancing gender equality in food systems”

• The audience will get insights from the work of the Kenyan Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM), a network of Civil Society Organizations / NGOs working with small-scale farmers in East, Central, and Southern Africa. The presentation will show how the work that empowers women improves the food security of the families, the social and economic situation of farmers and their communities as a whole.
• The Joint Research Centre will present the new section on Gender Equality and Food Systems of its Knowledge Centre on Global Food and Nutrition Security, co-chaired by DG INTPA. This knowledge platform highlights key policies and initiatives at both the international and EU levels while offering regular updates on news, events, publications and policy actions.

10 April 2025. @4.00 to 15.00. Opportunities and challenges of Farmers-led Action Research. 

• Key findings, conclusions and learnings of the implementation of Action-Research Projects under the EU-funded “Farmers Organisations Leading Research & Innovation on agroecology for sustainable food systems” (FORI) by Laurent DIETSCH, Agronomist from the Experimentation and Research Group: Development and Localized Actions (GERDAL : Groupe d’Expérimentation et de Recherche : Développement et Actions Localisées) 
• Specific insights into the experience of implementing Action-Research under the FORI Programme in Burundi by Annick SEZIBERA, Executive Secretary of the Confederation of Associations of Agricultural Producers for Development (CAPAD) 

10 April 2025, 11:00-12:30 CET. Impact of Labour Shortages in the Fruits and Vegetables (F&V) industry

• The 9th session of the OECD-COLEAD Fruit and Vegetables Industry Series
• The session will be available in English and French.
• The topic addresses the pressing challenge of labour shortages in the F&V industry, which can impede productivity growth, resilience, and sustainable development. The session will bring together experts, industry leaders, to discuss labour market trends and their impact on the F&V industry, strategies to attract and retain skilled workers, and the role of technology and automation in addressing workforce challenges.
• Programme: English and French / Biodata: English and French / Registration: Link

10 April, 29 May, & 26 June 2025 | 13:30 – 15:00 (CEST). Application of innovative extension models to improve uptake and scaling of technology and innovation

• FAO is hosting a series of webinars on the application of innovative extension models to enhance the uptake and scaling of technology and innovation in agriculture.
• These webinars will facilitate knowledge and experience sharing on innovative extension approaches within pluralistic extension and advisory services (EAS) in Africa. 
• Discussions will highlight how communication approaches, media, and extension models can support the scaling of agricultural innovations. 

10 April 2025, 3:00-4:00 pm CEST. Information Session on the Course on the Conscious Food Systems Leadership Programme

• offered by CoFSA in partnership with the Inner Green Deal. 
• CoFSA, is an initiative convened by UNDP 
• Information Session: April 10th, 2025, 3:00-4:00 pm CEST. Register here.
• Application Deadline: April 20th, 2025. Apply here.
• The programme’s overall purpose is to develop a more holistic approach to addressing the food system crisis through consciousness-based practices and the cultivation of inner capacities, following the Inner Development Goals (IDG) Framework with its 5 dimensions (being, thinking, relating, collaborating, acting). 

10 April 2025. Foresight for policy innovation: Navigating complexity and uncertainty in food systems

17 April 2025 15:30 – 17:00 (CEST) - Hybrid. The right to food in Rome 

• This dialogue will convene FAO, IFAD, and WFP staff, national and local authorities, civil society, academia, and city representatives to discuss key aspects of urban and peri-urban food governance through the lens of the right to food. 

17 April 2025. Webinar - Grassroots innovations for food sovereignty. Вебинар 17 апреля - Инновации на низовом уровне для обеспечения продовольственного суверенитета

22 April 2025 @9:30am EDT)  Hybrid Policy Seminar, Ending Hunger and Malnutrition: Keeping Our Eyes on the Road

23 April 2025. Online briefing of the new Report from the Global Panel on Agriculture and Food Systems for Nutrition: 'Building Resilience and Enhancing Nutrition in Africa's Food Systems’

23 April 2025. If Organic and Agroecological Farming are the Answer, Why Isn’t Change Happening Faster?

24 April 2025.Caribbean Agrifood Business.

24 April 2025. Launch of the report "Seeds at Risk" 

• a dialogue with people defending farmers' seeds and striving to transform our food systems.

24 - 25 April 2025. GLF Forests 2025: Defining the Next Decade of Action

29 April 2025. Prague, Czech Republic. EU CAP Network brokerage event 'Partnering for innovation with impact in agriculture and rural areas'

29 April 2025.  Biopesticides in Africa and the Middle East

30 April 2025. Perspectives for decision support tools for soil health in living labs

5 May 2025. Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Roadmpas in Africa

5 May 2025. Feeding the Future:  Innovative Technology for Greener, More Resilient Agrifood Systems in Africa

5-7 May 2025. Nairobi, Kenya. UNFSS+4 Regional Preparatory Meeting Africa

6 May 2025. Museum of Natural Sciences. Brussels. Agroecological transition of food systems in Africa: Evidence for research and development policies in Africa-EU collaboration

21 - 22 May 2025. Agrinatura General Assembly and Conference 2025

• Agrinatura organizes every year it’s General Assembly hosted by the member of each institution to discuss further activities, new projects, further initiatives, incorporation of new members, presentation of working groups in a way to continue working in the achievement of Agrinatura goals for sustainable agriculture.
• Annual General Assembly its two-day event, the first day its related to organizational matters and the second day its followed by a workshop focus on topics related to research in agriculture development.
• Location: University of Ghent, Belgium

20 - 23 May 2025. Kunming, Yunnan, China. International Agrobiodiversity Congress (IAC)

27 - 29 May 2025. 4:30pm - May 29 · 10:30pm CEST. 5th global conference of the SFS Programme. by One Planet

9 and 12 June 2025. Agrigento (Sicily), Italy 1st International Congress on Mediterranean Agroecology

9 and 13 June 2025. African Conference on Agricultural Technologies (ACAT) Kigali, Rwanda

10 - 12 September 2025. Hybrid - Bonn, Germany. Tropentag 2025

16 - 19 September 2025. 5th All Africa Postharvest Congress and Exhibition (5th AAPHCE)

• The theme for this year's congress is 'Securing the Harvest: Postharvest Management Solutions for Resilient and Inclusive Food Systems.'
• This biennial pan-African event is a critical platform for discussing and showcasing innovative solutions in postharvest management

23 - 25 September 2025. Uppsala, Sweden. Agri4D 2025: Nurturing regenerative food systems in a changing climate - three specific sub-themes: 

1. Empowering the Next Generation of Food Systems Leaders 
2. Transforming Food Systems: Innovation and Implementation 
3. Equity, Justice, and Resilience2 to 4 October 2025 Malmö Agroecology Europe Forum

7 - 9 October 2025. Nairobi. 10th AfriLabs Annual Gathering: "Africa’s Innovation Future: Policy, Partnerships, and Progres

4th–6th Nov 2025. 12th ANAPRI Stakeholders Conference 

5 - 7 November 2025. GLOBAL CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE CONFERENCE

10 - 21 November 2025. Belém, Brazil. UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 30)

26 - 28 November 2025. Wageningen, Netherlands. Food System Microbiomes International conference

30 September - 02 October 2025. University of Helsinki. Science for Sustainability 2025

Community of Practice on Agroecology Entrepreneurship in East Africa

Community of Practice on Agroecology Entrepreneurship in East Africa

Agroecological Entrepreneurship is growing in East Africa as one of the ways of promoting agroecology – many entrepreneurs are starting and looking to grow businesses that enable farmers to practice agroecology. 

Many entities including funders, investors and BDS providers are also gaining an interest in enabling these agroecological entrepreneurs to build successful businesses, but there is still a lot to learn, and many are learning independently.

Some of the questions encountered include: 

• How to measure the impact of an Agroecological Enterprise; How to build a successful agroecology enterprise business model; 
• The journey of growth of an agroecological enterprise; 
• How enterprises can support the transition to Agroecology (their own and those of farmers); 
• How to structure an Agroecological Enterprise to successfully support agroecology farmers; 
• How to structure investment into an Agroecological enterprise; and many others.

The Neycha Accelerator & Fund, has interacted with multiple players in Agroecological Entrepreneurship, It is an opportunity to amplify and accelerate learning in Agroecological Entrepreneurship by bringing heads and resources together under one umbrella, to build common knowledge, insights, materials and tools around Agroecological Entrepreneurship, in turn accelerating East Africa’s transition towards Agroecology. 

The Neycha Accelerator & Fund (Neycha) is a joint initiative of Biovision and SHONA combining both expertise in agroecology (Biovision) and business advisory (SHONA) to identify and support AEEs to grow their impact in East Africa. Our mission is to advance food system innovators and entrepreneurs who are working toward a more regenerative and agroecological food production and contributing to a more holistic and circular agrifood economy in East Africa.

Key Publications

Neycha Accelerator & Fund, (2024) A Market Study of Agroecology Enterprises in Kenya and Uganda, #32 pp

Agroecological Enterprises have a clear agroecological passion, impact and vision. They could be operating anywhere along the agriculture value chain (see below) and are supporting farmers to transition to agroecology or are promoting and operating in line with the 13 Principles of Agroecology, including:

• Organic input supply and pre-production support for farmers practising agroecology.
• Entrepreneurial farms practising agroecology beyond a single farm.
• Purchasing, trading and marketing agroecological produce.
• Processing agroecological produce.
• Retailing agroecological produce and products e.g supermarkets, other types of markets.
• Promoting consumption of agroecological produce and products e.g restaurants, hotels, etc.

2nd Eastern Africa Agroecology Conference (EAAC25)

25 - 28 March 2025. The 2nd Eastern Africa Agroecology Conference (EAAC25) Transforming Food Systems for Responsible Production, Consumption and Social Wellbeing

• Pathways for enhancing production, productivity and sustainability of agri-food systems with agroecological interventions
• Food security, nutrition, and health nexus: Soil health and farmer managed seed systems
• Movements for empowerment of women and youth in agroecology
• Trade, markets and economy: Implications for agroecological transitions
• Institutional and policy opportunities for unlocking potential of agroecology in agri-food systems
• Financing mechanisms for agroecological pathways and transitions

In a move to propel the growing global movement for agroecology, Kenya hosted the second Eastern Africa Agroecology Conference (EAAC) in Nairobi. The EAAC conference motivated stakeholders to invest in interventions that transform current unsustainable food systems by transitioning towards agroecology and more environmentally friendly solutions with long-term vision and planning. It has attracted over 820 participants from 43 countries across Africa and beyond, drawn from representatives of governments, the private sector, farmers’ associations, NGOs, academia, research institutions, investors, and development partners.

Organised by Biovision Africa Trust, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, and over twenty partners, the conference harnessed the potential of agroecology in transforming and sustaining resilient agri-food systems. Themed ‘Strengthening Agri-Food System Transformation for Resilience, Sustainability and Socioeconomic Development’, the event promoted sustainable organic farming systems to improve food security, agricultural productivity and livelihoods across Africa while safeguarding the environment.

Extracts of the programme

25/03 Productivity, Production, Soil Health and Farmer Managed Seeds 

• Markus Arbenz, Project Leader/Senior Consultant, Department of International Cooperation – FiBL Switzerland: “Evidence for Narratives” and other contributions of Research for Agroecology and Organic development in Africa 
• Dr. Chrysantus Mbi Tanga, Senior Scientist, Head of Insects for Food, Feed and Other Uses (INSEFF) Program: Insect frass fertilizer innovations for better soil health and agri-food systems transformation in Africa 
• Rémi Cluset, Agroecology advisor, FAO: Advancing agroecology with TAPE+: Tools for local and national policy action 

Panel Discussion

1. Markus Arbenz, FIBL 
2. Dr. Chrysantus Mbi Tanga, icipe 
3. Remi Cluset, FAO 
4. Dr. Sarah Olembo, Chair, ASBPP EOA FMSS Cluster 
5. Daniel Wanjama, Executive Director, Seed Savers Network

25/03 Policy and Institutional Arrangements 

• Dr. David Amudavi, Executive Director, Biovision Africa Trust
• Dr. Hans R. Herren, Board Chair and President (2005-) Millennium Institute USA: Political and policy changes for a fair, healthy and regenerative food system
• Dr. Ronnie Brathwaite, Senior Agriculture Officer (Plant Production and Protection Division) Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Agroecology in a changing geopolitical climate 
• Dr. Janet Edeme, Head Rural Economy Division & Acting Head of Agriculture and Food Security Division, African Union Commission, Addis, Ethiopia: Unlocking the Potential of Agroecology in Africa: Creating synergies with the AU CAADP Kampala Declaration

Panel Discussions

1. Hon. Mutahi Kagwe, EGH Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock  Development Kenya
2. Hon. Fred Bwino, State Minister for Agriculture, Uganda
3. Dr. Hans R. Herren, Millennium Institute
4. Dr. Ronnie Brathwaite, FAO
5. Mr. Bodo Immink, Country Director GIZ

 

25/03 Side event 1: The Contribution of the Knowledge Center for Organic Agriculture Initiative to the Agroecology Sector in Africa: The Past, Present and the Future. 

Organizers:  Knowledge Centre for Organic Agriculture and Agroecology in Africa (KCOA), 

and Knowledge Hub for Organic Agriculture and Agroecology in Eastern Africa (KHEA).

1. Moderator: Francis Nsanga, KHEA Project Manager 
2. Keynote Presentation; by Florian Peloschek, Advisor Digital Knowledge Platform, KCOA.
3. KHEA Phase II Impact; by Lennox Ouma, KHEA M&E officer 
4. KHEA Flagship documentary on Impact; by Pamela Magino, KHEA Communications Officer 
5. Sharon Bundi - KHEA Organic Farmer & Multiplier (Kenya)
6. Julius Echodu - KHEA Multiplier (Uganda)
7. Emmanuel Paul Nyange - KHEA Multiplier (Tanzania)
8. Albert Nkundabagenzi - KHEA Multiplier (Rwanda)
9. RAOELINARIVO Holy Harinoro - KHEA Multiplier (Madagascar)

25/03 Side event 5: Growing Resilient Futures in Africa: Advancing Nature-Positive Agrifood Systems Transformation 

This event unpacked the concept of Nature Positive Solutions, focusing on its potential for 

enabling agrifood systems transformation towards improved inclusiveness, sustainability, and 

resilience. 

• Dr. Saskia Marijnissen, Senior Policy Advisor, African Union
• Ms. Nancy Rapando, WWF Leader for Africa's Food systems Initiative
• Dr. Ronnie Brathwaite, Senior Agriculture Officer, FAO
• Dr. Carlo Fadda, CGIAR; and a farmer representative. 

26/03 Women, Youth & Political Economy of Climate Change

• Ms Monica Yator,  Founder and Executive Director, Indigenous Women and Girls Initiative (IWGI): Scaling Up Agroecology in ASAL Areas: Challenges and Opportunities for Indigenous Pastoralist Communities in Baringo
• Ms Pramila Mwibanda, TEJATI Youth Ambassador: Catalyzing Transformative Agroecology by Harnessing Youth Potential
• Ms. Nancy Rapando,  WWF Africa Food Lead: Agroecology, Advancing the Food, Climate and Nature Nexus

Panel

• Dr. Million Belay, General Coordinator AFSA
• Dr. Beatrice Kiage, APHRC
• Monica Yator, Founder and Executive Director, Indigenous Women and Girls Initiative (IWGI)
• Ms Pramila Mwibanda, TEJATI
• Ms. Nancy Rapando, WWF Africa Food Lead
• Lise Chantal, National Coordinator, Rwanda Organic Agriculture Movement (ROAM)
• Hannington Owegi, Secretary General (SG) PELUM Association Regional Secretariat

26/03 Parallel Session 1: Measuring the Impact of Agroecology: Productivity, Profitability, and Sustainability

• Ms. Carolyne Wangungu (presenting author), Dr. Lukas Pawera, Mr. Augustine Wafula, Dr. Srinivasan Ramasamy:   A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Conventional and Agroecological Approaches for Production of Traditional African Vegetables in Murang’a County, Kenya
• Ms. Celia del Campo Aragones (presenting author), Mr. Chanyalew Aweke, Mr. Joe Alpuerto, Mr. Remi Cluset, Mr. Daniel Bordi, Mr. Zelalem Behailu Teklewold:  Assessing the Impact of the Ecological Organic Agriculture Project in Walmera Woreda, Ethiopia: A Multi-Dimensional Approach through the TAPE tool
• Mr. David Bautze (presenting author), Ms. Anouk Unternährer, Dr. Anne Muriuki, Dr. Edward Karanja, Dr. Milka Kiboi:   Productivity and profitability of organic and conventional systems: Results from two Kenyan long-term trials
• Ms. Friederike Schilling (presenting author), Dr. Miriam Romero, Dr. Amy Faye, Dr. Bibiana Betancur-Corredor, Dr. Heike Baumüller, Prof. Joachim von Braun:  Productivity effects of agroecological practices in Africa: insights from a systematic review and meta-analysis

26/03 Parallel Session 3: Agroecological Pest Management for Sustainable Crop Protection

• Dr. Simon Boni, Dr. Stephen Othim, Mr. Nickson Mlowe, Ms. Judith Assenga, Mr. Raphael Mallogo, Dr. Fekadu Dinssa, Dr. Srinivasan Ramasamy (presenting author), Dr. Komivi Akutse, Dr. Daniel Mutyambai:  Management of diamondback moth and aphids in cabbage using push-pull technology in Tanzania
• Evanson Rigan Omuse (presenting author), Dr. Honest Machekano, Dr. Daniel Mutyambai, Dr. Subramanian Sevgan, Dr. Frank Chidawanyika: Effects of intensified push-pull technology and frass-based soil amendment on pest damage, striga weed, carbon sequestration and farm productivity
• Ms. Bretor Mutua (presenting author), Dr. Edward Karanja, Dr. Thomas Dubois, Dr. Daniel Mutyambai: : Intercropping kale (Brassica oleraceae var. acephala) with Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) reduces key pests and increases parasitism, reducing pesticides use.
• Mr. Lawrence Ochieng: Host Plant Resistance, Botanical Insecticides and Field Margin Vegetation for Integrated Pest Management: A case of Aphids in Dolichos Beans

27/03 Parallel Session 5: Special Session on Pesticides in Agriculture

1. Alice Blondel, SwedWatch CEO: Corporate responsibility in the context of hazardous pesticides
2. Eustace Kiarii, CEO KOAN: Pesticides advocacy in Kenya and the gains achieved
3. Dr. Ngaruiya, Pest Control Produce Board (PCPB): Initiatives by PCPB to remove HHPS from the market
4. Christine Gatwiri, Project Coordinator Route to Food Initiative (RTFI) HBS
5. Dr. Monica Nderitu, Agroforestry Network: Agroforestry and Agroecology – sustainable and safe alternatives to pesticides for increased biodiversity and human health Brief on Agroforestry and Agroecology as sustainable – Launch of the Agroforestry Policy Brief

Resource:

Agroforestry Network (2025) Agroforestry and agroecology – Sustainable and safe alternatives to pesticides # 12 pp.

This brief outlines how agroforestry and agroecology can serve as sustainable alternatives to synthetic pesticides, and simultaneously build resilient agri-ecosystems, combat climate change, and empower smallholder farmers and vulnerable communities to adapt to the challenges of a changing climate.

Example:

A tree normally grown as a wind breaker or planted as a fence by Kenyan farmers now offers a new opportunity for biopesticide production.

• 
  Croton megalocarpus, a tree native to East Africa, holds potential as a source of natural pesticides and organic fertilizers, with its nuts and husks containing compounds that can be used for pest control and soil enrichment. 
• The croton tree, a non-food crop known as Msenefu in Kiswahili, Omkinduli in Luhya, Mukinduri in Gikuyu , Kelelwet in Kipsigis and Lemaruguet, Masineitel, Mkigara, Mlalai, Muhande and Musine in various other parts of Kenya, is promising equal opportunities in the quantity and quality of biofuel, according to biofuel experts. 
• Croton megalocarpus grows naturally in various ecological zones- from the Coast to the highlands of central Kenya and the dry lands of the North Rift. In these regions, the annual rainfall ranges between 400mm and 1,400mm.

Integrated Biopesticides Manufacturers Association of Kenya (IBMA-Kenya) 

IBMA-Kenya is a non-profit brainchild of the four leading producers of biological control products in Kenya (The Real IPM (K) Ltd, Koppert Biologicals, Dudutech Integrated Pest Management Ltd, and Elephant Vert Kenya, KAPI Limited) primarily to promote and advocate the use of biologicals in integrated crop protection, organic farming, and public hygiene.

• Born from the larger IBMA Global (head office in Brussels), IBMA-Kenya endeavors to provide localized awareness and advocacy on the importance of Integrated Pest Management as well as increased adoption of Biocontrol products in the horticultural space.
• It represents manufacturers, distributors, and growers of Biocontrol solutions and products that are environmentally safe, and harnessed, or harvested from nature.
• Green biocontrol tools protect the crops and environment presently and most importantly in the future, and should be the first measure considered for preventative and curative control of pests and diseases sustainably.

KAPI Limited

KAPI Limited is primarily a formulator and manufacturer of insecticidal products for the home, for agriculture, for livestock and for public health.

Founded in 1964 and based in Nakuru Kenya, KAPI Limited employs over 200 people both at the factory and out in the field. 

Contact: Pepe SHAW, Marketing KAPI Limited

Example: Ecoffee R&D initiative (With Private companies) 

At the initiative of CIRAD, the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development, and supported by Agropolis Fondation, a large private-public consortium has been created to tackle this pressing issue in coffee. 

Alongside CIRAD, seven roasters (illycaffè, Jacobs Douwe Egberts, Lavazza Group, Nestlé, Paulig, Starbucks Corporation and Tchibo), three green coffee suppliers (ECOM, Mercon and Olam) and three research organizations in Brazil (Universidade Federal de Viçosa), Nicaragua (the NicaFrance Foundation) and Vietnam (the Western Highlands Agriculture & Forestry Science Institute) have joined the initiative. 

Period: From September 2020 to September 2026

Location: Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Vietnam

Budget managed by CIRAD: 1 900 000 EUR

Funding: Ecom, Illy, Jacobs Douwe Egberts (JDE), Luigi Lavazza, PAULIG FINLAND LTD, Nestlé, Starbucks, Tchibo

The Ecoffee R&D initiative promotes a smooth and planned transition to zero pesticides in coffee production

• A multi-stakeholder initiative, including farmers, based on collective intelligence, open to all reasonable innovations
• Learning from existing solutions in coffee & other crops to reach impact in the short term, while simultaneously developing new innovations
• A thorough monitoring of the environmental, economical and social impact of the outputs
• An international experimental network evaluating & developing pesticide-saving methods 

27/03 OFFICIAL CLOSING

• Convenor: Markus Arbenz, Project Leader/Senior Consultant, Department of International Cooperation – FiBL Switzerland
• Call to Action:  Ms. Venancia Wambua, Head of Programmes (EOA&KCOA), Biovision Africa Trust 
• Hon. Fred Bwino, State Minister for Agriculture, Uganda
• Keynote Address by Chief Guest: Dr. Kipronoh Ronoh Paul, Principal Secretary, The State Department of Agriculture
• Closing Remarks – Dr. David Amudavi, Executive Director, Biovision Africa Trust
• Vote of Thanks – Mr. Alex Mutungi, EOA Continental Secretariat Coordinator, Biovision Africa Trust