SAfA Tanzania’s Post

I initiated 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗶 with a mission to bridge 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 and policies with 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, creating sustainable and inclusive solutions for communities. Our first successful Agroecology space was in Viwandani ward (Mukuru informal settlement),Nairobi, where we used phytoremediation to reclaim a landfill, transforming it to a green space 🌿🌿🪴 This week, we established a community garden at the 𝑩𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝑪𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑫𝒆𝒂𝒇 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝑪𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒏 in collaboration with Gilbert Koskey , WingFarm , Geoffrey Mbugua from Kenya Youth Biodiversity Network,SHOFCO.The fruit trees seedlings were obtained from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) . This garden isn’t just about growing food—it’s about fostering inclusion, empowering people with special needs, and making cities resilient to climate change through agrobiodiversity.We work with local Youth CBOs ensuring the spaces are maintained thus creating employment 💪🏽👨🏽🌾👩🏽🌾 In this case,we worked with Thee Joint Youth CBO in Zimmerman, Nairobi. They are gaining hands-on skills in agroecology, composting and soil health while learning how sustainable farming can drive change. A huge thank you to everyone who contributed their time, expertise and seedlings. Together, we’re turning research into action, one garden at a time. 👌🏽🙏🏽 How are you contributing to a sustainable future? Do you want to be part of this journey? #Agroecology #Inclusion #Agrobiodiversity #ProjectShambani #ClimateResilience #YouthEmpowerment #SustainableCities #BlackSoldierFlyFarming Sam Okemwa, GMIEK. Serena Wainaina Kenya Organic Agriculture Network Policy Action Initiative

🌾 Two years in, the SRI Tanzania project has empowered 2,880 farmers to achieve: 📈 30-40% increase in rice yields. 🌱 90% reduction in seed usage. “By achieving higher yields with lower input, our income has increased, enabling us to send our children to school 🏫, build a roof on our house 🏡, and lay down concrete floors. Not only that, my family now has the means to acquire a motorbike 🏍️ which is very important for our transportation needs,” says MS Athumini Iddy Mkangamo from Kilombero district. The goal of the SRI-Tanzania is to build institutional capacity on climate-smart and resource efficient production, with emphasis on system of rice intensification that will lead to improved productivity and smallholders’ livelihoods. The project is currently being implemented in five districts in #Tanzania by the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO) and the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute #TARI. Funding: Norad - Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation under Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. #SustainableAgriculture #ClimateSmart #FarmerEmpowerment #SRITanzania

Considering the diverse ecosystems and favorable climate of Uganda, beekeeping emerges as a highly promising venture with substantial economic and environmental benefits. The country's abundant floral resources support thriving bee colonies year-round, ensuring consistent honey production of exceptional quality. With relatively low startup costs and growing domestic and international demand for honey and bee products, beekeeping offers a lucrative income stream for rural communities and commercial ventures alike. Moreover, it empowers women through traditional practices and government-supported initiatives, while also contributing to agricultural productivity through pollination. You can start small with basic equipment and expand gradually, benefiting from training programs and market linkages provided by the government, NGOs and Development Partners. Additionally, tapping into the opportunities that The Uganda National Apiculture Development Organisation offers can provide valuable support in terms of training, market access, and industry insights. As Uganda continues to promote sustainable agriculture, beekeeping stands out as a resilient and rewarding opportunity that fosters economic growth, biodiversity conservation, and community resilience. #Beekeeping #Uganda #SustainableAgriculture #EconomicDevelopment

💡 How are collaborative workshops transforming cotton farming in Africa? Learning together, expanding perspectives, and reflecting on processes—this is what Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) focuses on through its collaborative workshops and cross-sector training. 💪 In 2023, CmiA organized regional workshops, Innovations Club meetings, and a pilot training with African People & Wildlife (APW) for consultants and employees from partner companies in Tanzania and Zambia. 🌱 Younoussa IMOROU ALI, CmiA Consultant for West and Central Africa, highlights the importance of bringing together CmiA-verified partners to share knowledge and develop practical, impactful solutions. 🌍 Dr. Ben Sekamatte, an agricultural expert from Uganda, notes that thanks to these exchanges the collaboration among cotton companies is growing, driven by new challenges like climate change and social issues. 🦁 The APW pilot training was a unique opportunity for CmiA participants to learn about wildlife conservation and community engagement in Northern Tanzania. They explored how traditional knowledge and modern technology can be combined to address human-wildlife conflicts. Alais Ole-Morindat, Director of the ACTIVE™ program at APW, emphasizes the importance of involving local communities in sustainable agricultural practices and how such collaborations can lead to innovative solutions. #CottonMadeInAfrica #SustainableFarming #Innovation #CollaborativeLearning #Agriculture #Sustainability #KnowledgeSharing #Empowerment #ClimateAction #WildlifeConservation #AfricanPeopleAndWildife

#Zimbabwe’s 🇿🇼 #Agriculture Sector has been through a great deal over the past two decades. However, just like the #phoenix's ability to rise from the ashes, the country’s horticulture sector is witnessing a powerful resurgence, including an exponential growth in #exports. It is also great to see a large number of #smallholder/small-scale #farmers entering the sector, and making their presence felt. Organisations such as the Horticultural Development Council, Diplomatic Missions, Non Profit Organisations, Governmental Bodies and many other Private Institutions are working tirelessly to ensure a strong revival of the sector. Increased investment and infrastructure development, and favourable policies, will help the sector to reach new heights and set new records by 2030. Enjoy this video showcasing Zimbabwe’s blossoming #Horticulture sector. Video Credit: Horticultural Development Council

🌱 Exciting developments at Conservation Farming Unit Tanzania (CFU Tanzania)! Under the leadership of Dulla Hamis , CFU Tanzania are making significant strides in implementing the nature-based technologies advocated by Lifeworks Global and realising their great potential. These initiatives are transforming village-level agriculture, enhancing commercial prospects, food security, and environmental sustainability. 🌿 Focused on unlocking the commercial potential for local farmers, CFU Tanzania has established a bio-fertilizer distribution center. This move is not just about improving crop yields; it's about revolutionizing the way we think about farming and sustainability. 🚀 With a vision to expand across Tanzania, Dulla is working in collaboration with CFU’s partners to scale up these transformative practices. This initiative promises substantial economic and environmental benefits, marking a significant milestone in sustainable agricultural practices in Tanzania. 👏 Join us in supporting this groundbreaking journey as CFU Tanzania leads the way in eco-friendly farming innovations. Here’s to a greener, more prosperous future for all Tanzanian farmers! #ConservationFarming #SustainableAgriculture #EcoFriendlyInnovation #TanzaniaFarming #GreenTech

🌍 A New Publication on Empowering Communities Through Agroecology: Lessons from Regreening Africa 🌱 Excited to share findings from our latest research titled: "Scaling Models for Regreening Africa: Enhancing Agroecological Integration through Smallholders’ Assets and Agency in Kenya" DOI:      https://lnkd.in/dfq9SZVJ   This study examines the environmental and livelihood effects of the Regreening Africa Project (2017–2023), implemented across eight African countries. In Kenya, the project aimed to reverse land degradation on 150,000 hectares of farmland and engage 50,000 smallholder farmers in sustainable restoration practices. The project utilised an Asset-Based Community-Driven Development (ABCD) approach, focusing on communities’ existing strengths and fostering local agency. 📊 We developed more "realistic" and localised versions of the F-ACT tool, namely the F-ACT+ and F-ACT+ Minus 5 frameworks to help measure how well agroecological practices adoption and integration aligned with project goals after a series of interventions. 📌 Key Insights:  💡 ABCD sessions in Kenya led to significant adoption of agroecological principles, particularly in economic diversification, knowledge sharing, and pest management.  💡 Participants demonstrated significant improvements in sustainable farming practices and social equity. 📌 Why This Matters? Our results demonstrate the power of intrinsic and community-driven approaches to scale land restoration efforts that integrate ecological, social, and economic benefits. With climate change and biodiversity loss accelerating, models like these could provide blueprints for impactful, scalable solutions, with the ABCD approach revealing its intrinsic value for scaling sustainability efforts. A big shoutout to my able co-authors Lisa Elena Fuchs, Levi Alfred Orero, Langat Kipkorir, and Victoria Apondi. #RegreeningAfrica #Agroecology #LandRestoration #Sustainability #CommunityDevelopment #ClimateAction

#Zimbabwe’s 🇿🇼 #Agriculture Sector has been through a great deal over the past two decades. However, just like the #phoenix's ability to rise from the ashes, the country’s horticulture sector is witnessing a powerful resurgence, including an exponential growth in #exports. It is also great to see a large number of #smallholder/small-scale #farmers entering the sector, and making their presence felt. Organisations such as the Horticultural Development Council, Diplomatic Missions, Non Profit Organisations, Governmental Bodies and many other Private Institutions are working tirelessly to ensure a strong revival of the sector. Increased investment and infrastructure development, and favourable policies, will help the sector to reach new heights and set new records by 2030. Enjoy this video showcasing Zimbabwe’s blossoming #Horticulture sector. Video Credit: Horticultural Development Council

🌍 Harvest Highlights: The role of agroecology and regenerative agriculture in farming and food systems in Africa. The Post-Event report from the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit (AFSH) in Nairobi, Kenya, and online, 7-9 May 2024 🌱 See the full report here: https://lnkd.in/e-eR5Sdp And the Harvest Highlights below 👇 💡 Key Outcomes: - Focus on agroecology and regenerative practices. - Improve fertilizer affordability and access. - Provide tools for policy, finance, and capacity building. 🔑 Key Takeaways: - Partnerships are essential for scaling solutions. - Tailor approaches to Africa’s diverse farming needs. - Empower SMEs through better policies and market access. Invest in knowledge-sharing and participatory research. 🌱 The DeSIRA-LIFT & International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Side Event emphasized ecological intensification, nutrient cycling, and supporting local innovations through tailored services. #SustainableAgriculture #SoilHealth #Agroecology #DeSIRA

When focussing on community led development, progress often times seems very slow and often times, there’s no way of telling for sure the extent of a project as regards to reach(scalability), how the local population interacts with it and its impact in that community. Home to one of our project areas, Lutete- Rakai district in Uganda is home to one of our first projects focussing on self-sustainability during our first phase, more than 5 years ago. Partnering with a resident of the area,Senkasi Godfrey, and focussing on commercial agriculture(coffee), agroforestry and improved water access, we are witnessing a once bare/bushy area transform into a place that brings the whole community together. With the establishment of the only school available in miles around, a water harvesting to avail the only safe drinking water available for tens of kilometers. It’s important to mention that all projects managed by residents within the community with resources from previous agricultural and water projects set up. As we continue to advocate and champion community led self- sustainable development, projects such as this one in Lutete encourage not just us but others aiming for the same. …sowing seeds of Hope #uhlendorfinnovationsafrica #sowingseedsofhope