ASARECA

Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa is an Intergovernmental org of the National Agricultural Research Systems

[ASARECA @ASARECA]

Big moves in sustainable farming!

@ASARECA has teamed up with PELUM Uganda (@pelum_uganda), Uganda Christian University (@UCUniversity), and Koppert Biological Systems (@KoppertKenya ) for a hands on agricultural monitoring mission across Jinja, Lugazi, and Buikwe in Uganda.🚜✨

Together, we’re hitting the fields from the Nyenga Living Lab up-to-nine local farmer plots to boost bio-pesticides, sticky traps, and soil health for crops like tomatoes, cabbages, and Nakati. 🍅🥬

By replacing harsh chemical pesticides with smart, nature-based IPM solutions, we're helping smallholder farmers build healthier soils, control pests, and grow safer food for communities! 🌍💚

This initiative is supported by @EU_Commission under the CAADP-XP4 Programme, which is managed by @IFAD .

#Agroecology #IPM #SustainableFarming #UGAgriculture #BioContro

[ASARECA @ASARECA]

Today we @ASARECA wind up the landmark validation workshop for the draft Burundi National #AgroecologyStrategy and Implementation Plan, a long-term blueprint designed to transform the nation’s agrifood systems through to 2037.

Through the week (September 14–18, 2026) agricultural experts, policymakers, researchers, and civil society leaders have been reviewing, refining and making inputs into the draft Strategy to validate it.

The development of the Strategy is proudly supported by the #CAADPXP4 project , which is financed by the @EU_Commission and managed by IFAD). 🥦🌾✨

#Agroecology #Burundi #FoodSecurity #ASARECA #AgriculturalInnovation #SustainableAgriculture #ClimateResilience #AR4D.

A much improved, more inclusive draft #AgroecologyStrategy has been developed and will in the following weeks be subjected to additional technical and political reviews for final buy-in.

[ASARECA @ASARECA]

Deep-diving into the draft #Burundi National #AgroecologyStrategy (Sept 16, Bujumbura) with brilliant minds. Our participants from the Agriculture Ministry, @isabu_officiel , private sector, and farmer organizations are crafting the shape of an all-inclusive, sustainable agriculture.

Key issues that must make it into the strategy accordioning to participants are:

🥦 Reviving the earth. Healing degraded soils as the ultimate power move for productivity.
🥦Smart synergy. Blending crop and livestock innovations seamlessly is crucial.
🥦Rooted in reality. Pushing localized adaptability research & championing elite indigenous & improved seeds is a win-win.
🥦Power partnerships. Farmers, researchers, and the private sector must constantly collaborate to innovate.

Proudly supported by the #CAADPXP4 project (financed by the @EU_Commission and managed by @IFAD ). 🥦🌾✨

#Agroecology #Burundi #FoodSecurity #ASARECA #AgriculturalInnovation #SustainableAgriculture #ClimateResilience #AR4D

[ASARECA @ASARECA]

Key take homes @ ASARECA Agroecology Strategy development workshop in Burundi

Mr. Butoyi Leonard, Assistant to Minister of Environment, Agriculture, & Livestock, Burundi: The Ministry is laying out a vision to build productive, resilient, and inclusive agri-food systems through to 2037 Via the Agroecology Strategy✨

Here is how agroecology is set to power Burundi's agricultural future:
🌾 Boosts Productivity & Income: Restores soil health, diversifies crops, and reduces post-harvest losses to drive economic gains for smallholder farmers.
🌍 Builds Climate Resilience: Protects landscapes through agroforestry, composting, and soil/water conservation to withstand climate shifts.
💚 Enhances Food & Nutrition Security: Promotes sustainable farming practices and rich agrobiodiversity to nourish local communities.
🤝 Empowers Women & Youth: Unlocks high-value opportunities in rural employment, agro-processing, and agri-entrepreneurship.
……………………………………………………..
@MOSESODEKE @ASARECA : Agroecology is a vital pathway to tackle land degradation, climate shocks, & high input costs across Eastern & Central Africa. ✨

Key takeaways for moving from strategy to action:
🌾 Beyond Strategy to Action: A strategy alone is not enough. Priorities must turn into practical, measurable, and achievable results on the ground.
🚜 Farmer-Centered Focus: Interventions must respond directly to the real needs of farmers and agri-food actors.
🤝 Inclusive Partnerships: Strong institutional coordination, stakeholder incentives, & co-investments by Govt, DPs, Private Sector) are essential.
📊 Accountability & Impact: Clear monitoring systems are required to measure progress & learn what works best.

Supported by the #CAADPXP4 project, which is financed by the @EU_Commission and managed by @IFAD , this initiative is placing farmers at the center of a green, sustainable future. 🥦🌾✨

#Agroecology #Burundi #FoodSecurity #ASARECA #AgriculturalInnovation
#SustainableAgriculture #ClimateResilience #CAADPXP4 #Burundi #AR4D

[ASARECA @ASARECA]

🌱 Safeguarding a resilient agricultural future for Burundi today!

@ASARECA, in collaboration with Burundi's Ministry of Environment, Agriculture & Livestock and @ISABU, has officially kicked off the Validation Meeting for the draft Burundi National Agroecology Strategy (Sept 14–18) in Bujumbura.

Together with researchers, farmers, and policymakers, we are building sustainable food systems, combating climate change, and scaling eco-friendly farming solutions for a food-secure tomorrow. 🌍🌾

The Burundi agroecology strategy looks to cultivate Strategic Partnerships focusing on transforming agrifood systems through regional collaboration🤝

Through this convening, @ASARECA, @ISABU, and the Ministry of Environment, Agriculture & are pooling key stakeholders to review, refine, and validate the Burundi National Agroecology Strategy & Implementation Plan.

Supported by the #CAADPXP4 project, which is financed by the @EU_Commission and managed by @IFAD , this milestone initiative aims to empower smallholder farmers, boost ecological resilience, and foster healthy diets across Burundi. 🥦🌾✨

#Agroecology #Burundi #FoodSecurity #ASARECA #AgriculturalInnovation
#SustainableAgriculture #ClimateResilience #CAADPXP4 #Burundi #AR4D

[ASARECA @ASARECA]

Getting Practical
Following Training Trainers of Trainers, extension agents, women & youth on establishing Azolla demonstration hubs in Burundi, participants drawn from select target stakeholders on September 11, 2026, visited @isabu_officiel for a practical session on how to establish Azolla.

Key learning points at the site:
💡Azolla grows exclusively in water with normal Ph. There is no need for soil as a medium for growth.
💡Five kilogrammes of organic fertilizer is recommended to plant 1 kilogramme of azolla.
💡Completely decomposed organic manures are adequate to provide required amount of nutrients (mainly phosphorus).
💡Azolla pond should be a shallow establishment of about 4 inches upon which only one inch should be filled with water.
💡When applying fertilizer, it is recommended to pass it through a filter such as porous bags.

This initiative is coordinated by @ASARECA in the subregions and is facilitated through the CAADP-XP4 Programme funded by the @EU_Commission and Managed by @IFAD , is bridging the gap between agricultural research and smallholder adoption to build climate-resilient farming communities.

#Agroecology #GreenTransition #AzollaTech #Burundi #Rwanda #SustainableAg #ISABU #ClimateResilience #AgricultureEastAfrica

[ASARECA @ASARECA]

🌱 @ASARECA , @narouganda and @Agapeinnovation take a life changing fern to @isabu_officiel today

@ASARECA together with @isabu_officiel today proudly launch a joint initiative to drive the green transition in Burundi through #Azolla technology—a game-changing agroecological solution for livestock feed and organic fertilizer.

Supported by elite researchers and trainers from @narouganda and @Agapeinnovation

The Challenge: Smallholder farmers face high input costs, degraded soils, and seasonal feed shortages.

The Solution: By leveraging high-protein Azolla, this initiative targets lower production costs, enhanced soil fertility, and boosted livestock productivity.

Key Actions
👥 Training Trainers of Trainers (ToTs), extension agents, women & youth
📍 Establishing Azolla demonstration hubs in Burundi & Rwanda
📦 Disseminating starter kits (culture, pond liners, manuals)
📖 Developing digital & printed farmer extension guides.

This initiative is facilitated through the #CAADP-XP4 Programme funded by the @EU_Commission and Managed by @IFAD , is bridging the gap between agricultural research and smallholder adoption to build climate-resilient farming communities.

#Agroecology #GreenTransition #AzollaTech #Burundi #Rwanda #SustainableAg #ISABU #ClimateResilience #AgricultureEastAfrica

[ASARECA @ASARECA]

"Azolla presents a practical and affordable innovation to address the most pressing challenges facing our farmers." According to the Ag. Director General @RwandaAgriBoard , Dr. Florence Uwamahoro, Azolla:
🌾 Cuts fertilizer costs by replacing 30–50% of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer in rice paddies
🐖 Is a protein-rich feed and replaces up to 20% of protein in poultry and pig feeds with a 7–10 day growth cycle
🪵 Conservation Support: Frees up crop residues for soil cover instead of feed
🌱 Soil Health: Blends with crop residues to create superior organic fertilizer.

@RwandaAgriBoard is fully committed to supporting starter material multiplication and extension scaling across Rwanda.
"Our ambition is clear: move from demonstration to evidence, from evidence to adoption, and from adoption to scale!"
This activity is supported through funding by the @EU_Commission and @IFAD under the CAADP XP4 programme.
#Agroecology #GreenTransition #Azolla #SustainableFarming #RAB #ASARECA #Rwanda #ClimateResilience

[ASARECA @ASARECA]

"Conventional agriculture alone can no longer provide the answer to climate change while ensuring a sustainable food system in Africa". Honored to speak in Kigali, Rwanda today at the launch of the Azolla demonstration sites alongside RAB and @NAROuganda, @AsarecaED , Dr, Sylvester Dickson Baguma has spoken to the triple challenge of a growing population to feed, severe soil degradation, & accelerating climate shocks.
About Azolla—a small plant making a massive regional impact:
🌿 Bio-fertilizer: Fixes up to 40kg nitrogen/ha, slashing synthetic fertilizer costs
🐄 Nutritional Feed: High-protein feed for livestock, poultry, and fish
🌱 Soil & Climate: Restores degraded soil and cuts methane emissions in rice paddies
💡 Farmer-Centric: Moving from research papers to farmers' gardens to serve as learning hubs for youth and women

Courtesy of financial support of @EU_Commission and @IFAD under the CAADP XP4 programme, ASARECA and partners are bridging the research-to-farm gap by distributing Agroecology Starter Kits and building demonstration hubs in Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi

To our farmer early adopters, you are the true champions of this transition. Together, let us build a productive, resilient, and green agriculture for Eastern and Central Africa! 🌍✨
#Agroecology #GreenTransition #ClimateResilience #Azolla #FoodSecurity #ASARECA #Rwanda #AgriculturalInnovation

[ASARECA @ASARECA]

Transforming agriculture across Eastern & Central Africa! 🌾✨
Says @ASARECA Programme Officer for Capacity Strengthening @blaiseamony : @ASARECA is advancing agroecology by scaling up Azolla—a climate-smart, nutrient-rich aquatic fern that serves as a high-protein bio-fertilizer and livestock feed.

By leveraging expert research from @RAB_Rwanda and NARO Uganda, this initiative drives cross-border knowledge sharing, reduces reliance on expensive chemical inputs, and strengthens farmer resilience in Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Somalia. 🌍🌱
#Agroecology #SustainableAg #EastAfrica #Azolla #ClimateSmartAg #Innovation.
This initiative is facilitated theough the #CAADP-XP4 Programme funded by the @EU_Commission and Managed by @IFAD.

[ASARECA @ASARECA]

🌾 Small aquatic plant, massive agricultural impact!

Today marks the kick-off day as @ASARECA & @RwandaAgriBoard join forces to transfer Azolla technology across Rwanda. This eco-friendly innovation delivers cost-effective livestock/poultry feed and organic soil fertility solutions directly to smallholder farmers.

✨ What’s happening on the ground:
🔹 Hands-on TOT & farmer capacity building
🔹 Establishing 2 regional demonstration hubs
🔹 Distributing Azolla starter kits (cultures, pond liners, manuals)
🔹 Scaling climate resilience & cutting farm input costs.

Follow along as the team’s rollout training and demo hubs to power the green transition! 🌱🐄
#Agroecology #GreenTransition #Azolla #SustainableFarming #Rwanda #Burundi #Agtech #ASARECA.
This initiative is facilitated theough the CAADP-XP4 Programme funded by the @EU_Commission and Managed by @IFAD

[CORAF @CORAFNews]

📅 Sept. 2 | 🕐 1–3 PM CAT 📍 MH 4, Space A
How can national policies create a more enabling environment for #Agroecology in Africa?

Join us for the side event “Enabling National Agroecology Policies”. Dr OUIDOH from @CORAFNews will join the discussion.

#AFSForum2026 #RADiUS

[JMT!nda® @JM_Tinda]

An observation: High or road ways have been swamped by invasive weeds!

Notably, Road Construction seems to be one of the catalysts in the super spread of such obnoxious invasive alien species (IAS) like Parthenium sp.

Management of IAS requires multi-sectoral approach.

[Pallisa District Local Government @LocalPallisa]

Farmers & extension workers have today completed a 2-day training by ASARECA, MAAIF & NARO on biological control of parthenium weed.

Pallisa has established a biological control unit where beetles are being reared to support control
@narouganda
@MAAIF_Uganda
@ASARECA

[GCIC AGRICULTURE,ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND FISHERIES. @GcicAgriculture]

Uganda is scaling up sustainable solutions to tackle crop pests, diseases and invasive species. Through @narouganda ,@MAAIF ,partners, bio-control kits, farmer training and demonstration sites will support smallholder farmers in Kayunga, Koboko and Pallisa. @ASARECA

[GCIC AGRICULTURE,ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND FISHERIES. @GcicAgriculture]

The launch of the beetle rearing facility’s main objective is to increase the adoption of bio-control solutions to sustainably manage pests, diseases and invasive species, while improving agricultural productivity and environmental health.@ASARECA @MAAIF_Uganda @narouganda

[Gerald Katabazi. @GKatabazi]

@ASARECA @narouganda This was then @ASARECA giving support to entrepreneurs engaged in the coffee value chains, a lot of knowledge was picked and shared through this here via @FARAinfo with @UniBRAINAf and @MAAIF_Uganda today we are @volcanocoffee1 grinding coffee beans

[prince albertus @eswiluisaac91]

@ASARECA @narouganda @MAAIF_Uganda “This is truly inspiring work! 👏🌱 The partnership between ASARECA, NARO, MAAIF, and Koboko District demonstrates the power of research, innovation, and community collaboration in tackling agricultural challenges. The beetle-rearing facility is a promising step towards

[prince albertus @eswiluisaac91]

@ASARECA @narouganda @MAAIF_Uganda sustainable biocontrol of Parthenium weed and stronger livelihoods for farmers. Congratulations to all partners on this important milestone! 🌍🌾”