This project, funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB), aims to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability across East Africa.
ENSURE seeks to improve long-term agricultural sustainability by expanding access to robust extension services and strengthening Partner States' capacity to deliver effective training and responsive services.
It will focus on three primary areas: creating a harmonized regional policy for extension and inputs, deploying a regional pluralistic extension approach (involving public, private, and NGO sectors), and building capacity to address trans-boundary pests like the fall armyworm and desert locusts.
Over 5 million people, including 50% women, are expected to benefit from improved agricultural extension systems, and the project is expected to create at least 1 million jobs, with half of those benefiting women.
Speaking during the launch of the project on Tuesday, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Infrastructure, Productive, Social and Political Sectors, Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth, said that the project begins at a pivotal moment as the EAC aims to transform its agricultural sector through various initiatives, including the Agricultural Inputs System Development Programme and the EAC Regional Agriculture Investment Plan (RAIP).
The DSG underscored the importance of the project in promoting a regional approach to strengthening agricultural extension, enhancing the role of extension in transforming agriculture, facilitating farmers access to advice and information, and supporting the adoption of climate-smart technologies and building the resilience of farming communities.
'I ask everyone to concentrate on how our efforts will contribute to the project's broader goals, while also emphasizing value for money. Our citizens are the true stakeholders in this process, and it is our responsibility to ensure that the outcomes of this project lead to meaningful improvements in the agricultural sector of the Partner States.'
Ariik further emphasised the critical role of agriculture in the region's economic landscape, adding that the agricultural sector remains the backbone of EAC economies in addition to employing over 60% of the population.
On his part, the AfDB Chief Agricultural Technologies Officer - Agricultural Research, Production and Sustainability, Dr. Innocent Musyabimana, highlighted the importance of investment in agriculture for fostering regional development.
'The African Development Bank is committed to financing projects that enhance agricultural resilience and productivity. We are proud to support the ENSURE Project, as it aligns with our mission to improve food security and reduce poverty across the continent,' said Dr. Nusyabimana.
Dr. Musyabimana said the project seeks to address the main challenges faced by farmers in the region including: limited access to extension services and training, limited access to new climate-smart technologies and inputs, and limited knowledge and skills to use these inputs effectively.
'With the use of digital extension technologies (internet, podcasts, videos, social media platforms), the project will seek to bridge the gap in access to extension information between men, women, and youth by promoting more equitable access among these different beneficiaries,' he said.
The three-year project is expected to meaningfully support the improvement of women and men's access to agricultural technology and knowledge to support the implementation of its Gender Policy and place the institution as a leader in this sector.
The project will concentrate on advancing agricultural innovations that can attract youth to participate in agricultural activities as well as reduce the workload for women and boost their productivity and raise their income.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/eac-launches-12-5-million-project-to-boost-agricultural-production
