Tanzania Organic Agriculture Movement (TOAM) a Country Implementing Partner on the KCOA-KHEA Project participated in the National Farmers Exhibition Week (NANE NANE) from the 1^st to the 8^th of August 2024. The main objective of TOAM’s participation in the NANE NANE was to promote Organic Agriculture and Agroecology innovations to optimize the health and productivity of interdependent communities of soil life, plants, animals, and people.

TOAM, leading the Agroecology Consortium Corridor, brought together diverse stakeholders to showcase innovations in organic farming. Government officials, policymakers, and researchers visited the corridor, recognizing the achievements in agroecology. Over 256 attendees engaged with the exhibits.

The Agroecology Consortium included partners such as Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT), PELUM Tanzania, SJS Organic Farm, Organic Inputs Partners as well as Market Actors and HELVETAS, among others. The consortium displayed a range of technologies and knowledge products, including indigenous seeds, bio-inputs, and organic agriculture products.

The agroecology/organic agriculture actors used the National Ecological Organic Agriculture Strategy to emphasize the benefits of ecological organic farming, including environmental sustainability, economic viability, and social well-being. The discussions covered policy support, research and innovation, market development, and capacity-building programs essential for the successful implementation of NEOAS.

Through dialogues, key discussions during the event included seed sovereignty and the role of indigenous seeds in sustainable agriculture. The consortium emphasized the benefits of ecological organic farming, including environmental sustainability and market development.

The KHEA Project supported 15 participants, including Multipliers, Master Trainer, farmers and project officers from Saint Joseph School (SJS) organic farm Centre of excellence on the KCOA-KHEA Project, enhancing networking and knowledge exchange.

Exhibits featured composting techniques, organic fertilizers, and innovative irrigation systems. Among other participants were the KCOA-KHEA Project Associate Partners like; Sustainable Organic Agriculture Tanzania (SAT) from Morogoro region, Floresta Tanzania from Kilimanjaro region, and Njombe Southern Highland Development Association (NSHDA) from Njombe region.

During the exhibition, TOAM showcased some knowledge products such as; 18 days Compost, BIM bokashi, CRN Carbon, BIM organic potassium, BIM organic DAP, Rabbit urine, and Fish Amino Acids.

TOAM and its partners used the platform to advance sustainable agricultural practices and advocate for policies supporting organic agriculture and agroecology in Tanzania.

Prepared by TOAM Edited by Pamella Magino

The 25th edition of FIER MADA took place at the Makis Andohatapenaka stadium, from 7 to 11 August 2024. In 25 years, visitors have become accustomed to see an exceptional experience for each edition, with discoveries, multi-sectoral innovations, commercial exchanges and knowledge.

GSDM and SYMABIO a Country Implementing Partner on the KCOA-KHEA Project, also professionals in Agroecology, participated for the 10th time this year 2024 through the ALEFA Agroecology and KCOA-KHEA Project.  It has been noted that the agricultural sector is regaining an important and crucial place in rural development. Farmers are panicking at the idea of making their farms as profitable as possible and making them resilient against climate change and the impacts of mining agriculture.

During this event, the crowd visited the GSDM stand for technical advice, sharing of experiences and acquisition of various seeds. This saw the passage of different farmers from all regions of Madagascar.

A technician and a farmer leader of the ALEFA project received the visitors in the stand where they shared the knowledge and opportunities linked to the adoption of good agricultural practices, in general, the agroecology. Conservation agriculture and soil fertilization also attracted the attention of visitors. Many of them returned every day during the fair to acquire as much practical advice as possible.

Organic farming was also mentioned during this event, a theme which interests more and more farmers, mainly because of the use of non chemicals products on crops.

During the fair, the KCOA-KHEA Project highlighted the promotion of knowledge products on agri-bio by supporting the participation of the “Entraide et Fraternity” consortium. These are partner organizations hosting some of the KHEA Multipliers who have benefited from training through the KCOA-KHEA Project, made up of CARITAS Antsirabe, FTM/CPM and the ST BENOIT Fénérive-Est Center.

Prepared by GSDM Edited by Pamella Magino

“And remember that this guide is not only a document but a tool that your organization can use to incorporate gender equality into its activities.” With these words, Najla Dhen, Multiplier’s coach (KHNA), closed the launching event of the KCOA´s Gender Guide.

Around 100 participants from various fields related to the African agri-food systems attended the online event on August 7, from 11:00 to 13:00 CEST. These participants included farmers, partners of the KCOA Network, representatives from non-governmental organizations and women’s groups, and others. Both the GIZ and the KCOA Network were in charge of moderation.

 What is the Gender Guide?

After having analyzed the regional and socio-cultural gender relations dynamics in the agricultural sector across over 15 countries in Africa, the focal points of the five Knowledge Hubs integrating the KCOA project came up with this document. The Gender Guide strategically presents means to take the participation of women in the project forward. It provides alternatives and insights to address the different forms of gender inequality to which women and girls contributing to the agri-food systems in Africa are regularly subjected.

What issues for women does the Gender Guide address?

The Guide acknowledges five main obstacles that could potentially prevent women from fully participating in and profiting from KCOA activities:

1. Limited access to and control over resources, including knowledge.
2. Mobility and time constraints
3. Violence
4. Obstacles around participation, engagement, and leadership
5. Cultural and locally specific constraints

Should you also use the Guide?

As stated by Mrs. Dhen, the Guide is an engaging document, a tool that every organization seeking to strengthen a gender equality approach in their projects can implement. The guide covers 9 phases of a project; from design to evaluation, and ensures, therefore, that all possible areas where women might encounter difficulties are covered. The guide is also designed in such a way that every person can navigate it and find a suitable strategy to enrich their specific initiative.

Download the guide here Gender Guide_KCOA-English_2024

French Version : Guide sur l’égalité des Genres_CCAB-Francais_2024_f