Rwanda: IFAD Vice President, Dominik Ziller Visits R-YES Project Interventions
On May 10th, 2022, IFAD Vice President Dominik Ziller and his delegation visited the R-YES project at Masaka Creamery Limited in Kigali. Kilimo Trust, in partnership with IPRC Musanze and Masaka Creamery Limited, is training youth with hearing impairments in milk processing for employment. Ziller praised the training model for its inclusivity and effectiveness in equipping youth with marketable skills.
Uganda: Minister of Teso, Dr. Clement Kenneth Ongalo-Obote, Officiates Commissioning of Storage Facility Built Under DINU Project
On June 11th, 2022, Dr. Clement Kenneth Ongalo-Obote, the Minister of Teso, officiated the commissioning of a 1,000 metric ton storage facility in Kapelebyong District. The facility, built by Kilimo Trust through the DINU project, aims to enhance food and nutrition security, incomes, and health in Northern Uganda by providing proper storage for farmers' produce.
Tanzania: AGRA, UNDP, and Kilimo Trust Conduct Monitoring Visit to LSF Project
In May 2022, representatives from AGRA, UNDP, and Kilimo Trust conducted a monitoring visit to the Lake Zone Smart Farms (LSF) project in Shinyanga region. The delegation visited project beneficiaries, including local machine fabricators and farmers who have adopted new sorghum varieties. The visit concluded with a tour of Musoma Food Company Limited's processing plant.
Kenya: Olex Techno Hub Finds Solutions in Rice By-Product Utilization
Through the R4iCSA program, Olex Techno Hub has fabricated and installed a super burner that uses rice husks as fuel at Otieno Oyoo Secondary School in Kisumu County. This innovation has helped the school reduce firewood costs and conserve the environment. Additionally, Olex Techno Hub has fabricated 92 husk utility stoves for households in Kirinyaga County, and the resultant biochar is used by Lake Basin Agritech for fortified organic manure.
Rwanda: IFAD Appreciates Rwanda Agribusiness Hub Model in Concluded Implementation Support Mission
From May 16th to 20th, 2022, IFAD conducted an implementation support mission to the Rwanda agribusiness hub. The mission team visited various training centers and appreciated the models being implemented, including poultry farming, mechanization, and milk processing. The mission highlighted the success of partnerships between Kilimo Trust, educational institutions, and private sector partners.
Rwanda: R-YES Agribusiness Project Equipping Youth with Income-Generating Skills
Grace Nyiramboneyehose, a beneficiary of the R-YES project, shared her experience of gaining poultry farming skills that have rekindled her hope to succeed in the business. The project provides youth with skills in poultry farm management, disease control, and proper feeding, enabling them to engage in profitable agribusiness ventures.
Kenya: Kisumu County Farmers Reap Big from the Offseason Soybean Program
The Kisumu County offseason soybean program, introduced through the R4iCSA project, has benefited 523 farmers who sold their produce to Rift Valley Products (RVP). The program aims to improve household nutrition, soil health, and farmer income by promoting soybean cultivation alongside main crops like rice.
Tanzania: Farmer-Based Organizations' (FBOs) Leaders Trained on Leadership Skills and Governance
On May 10th, 2022, Kilimo Trust conducted a leadership training for FBO leaders in Shinyanga region under the LSF project. The training aimed to equip leaders with knowledge and skills in governance, conflict resolution, and financial management to strengthen their groups and improve market access for sorghum farmers.
Tanzania: Financial Literacy Training Opens Doors to Access Financial Services
Through the CARI-EA project, Kilimo Trust provided financial literacy training to 16 farmer-based organizations (FBOs) in Kyela District. As a result, 12 FBOs opened savings accounts with Equity Bank, facilitating access to financial services and agricultural input loans. The project has created linkages between financial institutions, farmers, and buyers, enhancing financial inclusion for smallholder farmers.
Kilimo Trust Recognizes Best Staff Performers in FY 2021/2022
Kilimo Trust recognized its best-performing staff for the financial year 2021/2022. The winners, including Mr. Odongo Santo, Ms. Zuhura Msangi, Mr. Hassan Ismail Mohamed, Mr. Gabriel Oleng, Mr. Andrew Gashayija, Mr. Andrew Kasera, and Ms. Grace Akumu, received shopping vouchers and certificates of recognition.
Conclusion
Kilimo Trust remains committed to transforming agriculture in East Africa. We thank our partners and stakeholders for their continued support and look forward to achieving even greater milestones together.