Posters

To assess the consumer demand for quality and safety of beef products in the ECA region.

This policy brief highlights the progress made in implementing the project ÔÇ£Regional Approach to Biotechnology and Biosafety Policy in Eastern and Southern AfricaÔÇØ (RABESA). It describes briefly the achievements realized towards the harmonization of biosafety policies in the Member States of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) from the start of the project in 2004 to 2011

Declining agricultural and natural resource productivity in sub Saharan Africa call for concerted efforts in view of an increasing population, rising poverty levels, low technological innovations and adoption amidst inadequate institutional arrangements and structures for supporting sustainable natural resources management (NRM). This project aimed at promoting increased adoption of NRM technologies by establishing effective farmer-market value chains for honey (Tanzania), grain amaranth (Kenya) and ground nuts and banana (Uganda); and strengthening NRM governance institutions in selected areas of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

Declining agricultural and natural resource productivity in sub Saharan Africa call for concerted efforts in view of an increasing population, rising poverty levels, low technological innovations and adoption amidst inadequate institutional arrangements and structures for supporting sustainable natural resources management (NRM). This project aimed at promoting increased adoption of NRM technologies by establishing effective farmer-market value chains for honey (Tanzania), grain amaranth (Kenya) and ground nuts and banana (Uganda); and strengthening NRM governance institutions in selected areas of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

Increase income and improve livelihoods of smallholder farmers living in water stressed environments through integrated water resources management at plot and catchment scales by strengthening forward and backward linkages between soil, water and crop resource use and commodity value chain.

The Intensification of Climbing Bean Systems Project was initiated by the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA) in collaboration with the National Agricultural Institutes of Rwanda, Burundi and the DR Congo to validate the existing climbing bean production systems and identify the most beneficial for improving livelihoods, increasing food and nutrition security and protect the environment for future generations.

Following the adoption of the Global Plan of Action (GPA) and the State of the World’s Plant Genetic Resources Report, several informal consultations catalyzed by IPGRI , FAO and the Nordic Gene Bank (NordGen now)were held particularly during the FAO Commission meetings. These efforts culminated to the preparatory meeting held in Kampala, Uganda from 3-5 November 1997 to establish Eastern Africa Plant Genetic Resources Network (EAPGREN) funded by Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). After a gestation period of 5 years developing the project and tracking funding, the network was established in May 2003 and operationalized at regional level in 2004. EAPGREN is a regional joint project of National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) of the ASARECA member countries viz. Burundi, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Rwanda, Sudan and Uganda. Within these countries, there are national focal persons for the network which undertake the activities at national level and represent the national program in the regional EAPGREN processes.

Measuring multiple values of dryland systems provides a means for valuing, comparing and making policy decision based on various benefits of ecosystem services, and can be a powerful tool to support wise use and management of dryland environment.

This project explored possibilities of increasing productivity of rice systems in the region through various management options focusing on integration with legumes.

Smallholders crop-livestock farming in Eastern and Central Africa is characterized by low productivity due to low and erratic rainfall.Water development for agricultre is a priority, but poorly designed and planned irrigation undermines efforts to improve livelihoods and exposes people and environment to risks. The objective of the study was to introduce and evaluate socially desirable gender-appropriate water harvesting and irrigation strategies to reduce poverty through effective development and management of water harvesting and irrigation in ECA region.