News and updates

Dialogue for researchers and private sector identifies key Climate Smart Agriculture technologies for commercialization

A broad range private sector actors, including small-holder farmers, foresters, livestock herders, fishermen, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), large companies, and financial institutions are instrumental in commercializing agricultural Technologies, Innovations and Management Practices (TIMPs), researchers and private sector actors have been told. Addressing participants during the Dialogue on Commercialization of Climate-Relevant Agricultural Technologies, Innovations and Management Practices in Eastern and Central Africa in Nairobi, Kenya, the Director General Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research...


Rwanda hosts first meeting of ASARECA Climate Smart Agriculture Steering Committee

KIGALI, RWANDA: The ASARECA Climate Smart Agriculture Alliance (ACSAA) held its first formal Steering Committee meeting in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali from 1st- 2nd March 2022, with researchers being challenged to have smallholder farmers at the back of their minds when designing and implementing Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) interventions. The meeting was hosted by Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) in collaboration with ASARECA Secretariat.


ASARECA Member countries discuss collaboration arrangements with One CGIAR

The ASARECA Committee of Directors General (CDGs) held a consultative meeting with representatives of the One CGIAR from February 24-25th, 2022 in Entebbe, Uganda. The overall objective of the 4th meeting of the Committee of Directors General, which also enjoined the CGIAR, was to identify and discuss critical areas and mechanisms of collaboration among the National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS), ASARECA and the One CGIAR. According to ASARECA Committee of Directors General...


We are on track in implementing CAADP-XP4—ASARECA, AFAAS, CCARDESSA, CORAF, and FARA

We are on track in implementing CAADP-XP4—ASARECA, AFAAS, CCARDESSA, CORAF, and FARACAADP-XP4 Programme Advisory Committee (L-R) Dr. Cliff Dlamini, ED CCARDESSA; Dr. Abdou Tankouano ED CORAF; Dr. Silim Nahdy, ED AFAAS; Dr. Enock Warinda, ED ASARECA; and Dr. Yemi Akinbamijo, ED FARA ASARECA, AFAAS, FARA, CCARDESSA, and CORAF are by far the most formidable institutions needed in the attainment of the African Agriculture vision. By Ben Moses Ilakut NAIROBI, KENYA: The five consortium members constituting the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture...


ASARECA takes over leadership of CAADP-XP4 Programme

ASARECA takes over leadership of CAADP-XP4 ProgrammeTC members: Moses Odeke, ASARECA; Max Olupot, AFAAS; Baitsi Podisi, CCARDESSA; Aggrey Agumya, FARA; Emmanuel OKel Njukwe, CORAF Effectively, ASARECA Executive Director, Dr. Enock Warinda was announced the new Chairman of the CAADP-XP4 Advisory Committee, putting him at the helm of the Programme structure By Ben Moses Ilakut NAIROBI, KENYA: The Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA) has assumed the leadership of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP...


Key message to African Extension professionals: ‘Package Agriculture as ‘a kool business’

KAMPALA, UGANDA: African governments have been urged to invest heavily in agriculture to make economic and security sense. In the same vein, agricultural extension experts and promoters have been advised to communicate agriculture the way it ought to be. These are some of the key points ASARECA picked during the ongoing Africa-Wide Agriculture Extension Week 2021 (AAEW2021), (Nov, 14-20). Speaking on November 16th, 2021 during the opening of the Extension Week, Uganda’s 2nd...


The Futility or success of Africa’s future depends on efforts to address the youth factor

KAMPALA, UGANDA: Africa has the youngest population in the world, and it is growing fast. By 2055, the continent’s youth population (aged 15-24), is expected to be more than double the 2015 total of 226 million. Yet the continent remains stubbornly inhospitable politically, economically, and socially to young people. This stark reality was sounded as a reminder to African Governments during the ongoing Africa-Wide Agriculture Extension Week 2021 (AAEW2021), (Nov, 14-20). Speaking on November 16th, 2021 during...


Ugandan Government gives titled land to Nile Basin Initiative to build home

Uganda’s Minister of Water and Environment, Hon. Sam Cheptoris is shown the land given to NBI by the government before handing over to the NBI Executive Director "ASARECA and NBI partnership is strategic because a part from Egypt, all the 11 Nile Basin countries, including Eritrea, the observer member, are part of the ASARECA 14 member states. “Our farmers rely on the Nile and its vast resources, including water, fish and transport. You cannot divorce agriculture from the Nile.” ASARECA Interim...


NBI and ASARECA explore corporation in water use efficiency

The Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) and ASARECA have held ice-breaking talks to explore areas of mutual interest and collaboration. In a meeting on November 18, in Entebbe, Uganda, ASARECA Interim Executive Director, Dr. Enock Warinda, and the NBI Executive Director Eng. Sylvester Matemu, agreed that both institutions deal with efficient use of similar resources, especially soil and water to make a change in the livelihoods of the regions citizens. “There are clear...


Nile Basin Discourse and ASARECA target the water and food nexus

The Nile Basin Discourse Regional Manager, Dr. Hellen Natu (left) paid a courtesy call on ASARECA Interim Executive Director, Dr. Enock Warinda The structure in which NBD operates and coordinates with member countries is similar in many ways to the way ASARECA operates with its constituents By Ben Moses Ilakut. The Nile Basin Discourse (NBD) Regional Manager, Dr. Hellen Nabwala Natu, on November 19 paid a courtesy call on ASARECA Interim Executive Director, Dr. Enock Warinda at ASARECA...