Taking stock: Celebrating impacts of USD 150 million investments in AR4D @25
Since establishment, ASARECA has harnessed critical partnerships and mobilized over US$ 131 million to implement its mandate amid challenges. Besides, ASARECA coordinated the implementation of the Eastern Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (EAAPP) worth US$ 120 million in member countries. This investment was channelled through ASARECA Research Networks established in 1994 and operating until 2007, and ASARECA Themes and Programmes established in 2008 through to the current day. Below are highlights of achievements over the last 25 years.
Summary of achievements
Increase in national output
At the peak of its work between 2008 and 2013, ASARECA recorded an increase in real national agricultural output for 8 of the 12 member countries. The changes ranged from 3.6 percent for Uganda to 49.8 percent for Rwanda. Only Burundi recorded a fall (4 percent) because of political unrest. The average growth in value of total agricultural output for all ASARECA countries (excluding Sudan and South Sudan) 2008-2013 was 20.6 percent. Three countries in the region achieved CAADP agricultural growth targets of 6 percent per annum: These include Rwanda (12.4%), Kenya (7.8%) and Tanzania (7.8%). Ethiopia and Eritrea recorded 5.8 percent and 5 percent pa respectively. For ASARECA countries as a whole, this represents an increase in agricultural production in real terms of 5.1 percent per annum since the start of OP1.
Last mile benefits
ASARECA supported projects have led to significant generation of benefits to stakeholders, including provision of additional income for farmers, processors, small-scale traders, and increased productivity of selected commodities. For example, average total crop revenue has increased by 63% from US$272 to US$442 between 2008 and 2012 for beneficiaries (compared to only 5% for non-beneficiaries). Total livestock revenues also increased by 139% from US$157 to US$375, compared to a fall of 21% for non-beneficiaries.
Knowledge management
ASARECA has facilitated the production of over 2000 information packages that include peer-reviewed journal articles, books, and chapters in books, electronic newsletters, conference proceedings and manuals. These products were made available to partners through over 260 different delivery pathways such as websites, flyers, TV, radio, SMS, dissemination events, media events, farm trials, multimedia (YouTube) among others, benefiting over 1 million targeted stakeholders.
Capacity strengthening
As part of enhancing capacity strengthening of NARES, over 470 assorted infrastructures were provided to targeted partner institutions. A total of 81,751 stakeholders received short-term training in integrated water management, value addition, integrated soil fertility management, value chain development, project management, monitoring and evaluation, environment and social safeguards, basic agronomic and management practices, among others.
TIMPS
A total of 364 different agricultural Technologies, Innovations and Management practices (TIMPs) have been either generated or improved to suit farmers’ demands. In addition, 435 TIMPs have been availed for uptake by targeted stakeholders, leading to significant benefits to the beneficiaries. For example, through the adoption of labour-saving equipment such as oxplanters, ox-weeders, ox-rippers and threshers, farmers have reported reductions in drudgery by up to 75% per acre.
Enabling policy environment
ASARECA has contributed to enabling policy environments through review of existing policies, laws, regulations and management practices. A total of 100 policies, laws, regulations and procedures have been analyzed, 46 were presented for legislation and dialogue, while 17 were approved by various legislative bodies, EAC and COMESA parliaments.
Average national yield change
There have been marked changes in national average yields of key crops. Average regional yields for maize have increased by 11.6 percent (@ a rate of 3 percent per year), with increases of 8.6 percent for rice and 8.4 percent for sweet potato (over 2 percent p.a) and 4.5 percent for beans.
Technology adoption
Furthermore, 270,000 farmers and other stakeholders have adopted new TIMPs generated and availed for uptake from project- related interventions. This led to an increase in net crop production value of US$73.4 million at the peak of ASARECA interventions by 2014.
Land for value
Over 4,600 ha of land have been dedicated to improved TIMPs, especially for the production and multiplication of quality pre-basic, basic and certified seeds of selected crops. As a result of this, over 800 metric tons of quality seed have been produced and sold or distributed to farmers for further multiplication.
Rural households
A total of 422,176 rural households have directly benefited from ASARECA-related support initiatives, and over 2.5 million individuals have benefited directly from an assortment of ASARECA support initiatives.
Food security
Food security has improved for beneficiary households over the programme period from 74% to 81% (7 percentage points), compared to an increase from 78% to 79% (1 percentage point) for non-beneficiaries.
Reclamation of degraded land
On the other hand, over 5,000 ha of highly degraded lands and watersheds have been reclaimed, thereby providing targeted households with steady water supply for domestic and farm use.
Student placements
In addition, over 150 students (15 PhD [9 male, 6 female]; 112 MSc (73 male, 39 female); 4 BSc (2 male, 2 female); and 19 diploma/certificate (12 male, 7 female]) benefited from ASARECA long-term training.
Spillover effects
Highly positive spillover effects have been noted for the projects, with an average pass-on rate to non-project farmers of 7 for each beneficiary household.
Partnerships
Over 400 different partnerships have been formed by ASARECA in implementing its AR4D strategies.