Ukama Ustawi: Diversification for resilient agrifood systems in East and Southern Africa

The CGIAR Initiative on diversification for resilient agrifood systems in East and Southern Africa, also known as Ukama Ustawi, aims to address food and nutrition security risks in the region arising from an overreliance on maize through a climate-resilient, water-secure, and socially inclusive approach. The initiative’s vision is to achieve system-level development through innovative partnerships. ASARECA and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) are collaborating in jointly implementing the 20-month Ukama Ustawi project that commenced in April 2023.

The Ukama Ustawi Initiative focuses on the following interventions:

• Regional policy dialogues to discuss national and regional policy issues identified/prioritized by key stakeholders.
• Conducting a scoping study aimed at strengthening learning and knowledge sharing between CGIAR and ASARECA and NARS partners around diversified maize-based farming systems and innovation focusing on agribusiness, policy and scaling.
• Preparing policy briefs discussing outcomes of the regional policy dialogue.
• Disseminating policy briefs and other relevant project reports to Ministers responsible for Agriculture and other key stakeholders and gathering feedback.