Uganda: Kilimo Trust Launches Phase Two of the Reduce - Reuse - Recycle Rice Initiative for Climate Smart Agriculture (R4iCSA) Project
After a successful implementation of phase one of the R4iCSA project in Uganda and Kenya, which started in June 2020 and ended in June 2022, IKEA Foundation funded the second phase of the project, and its implementation kicked off in October 2022. On March 23rd, 2023, at Kampala Serena Hotel in Uganda, phase two of the project was officially launched. The event attracted stakeholders from the rice sector, including members from academic institutions, development organizations, the private sector, and farmers. The launch was graced by Mr. Stephen Byantwale, representing the State Minister of Agriculture in Uganda, as the guest of honor. He emphasized the importance of climate-resilient practices and the need for the East African Community to reduce staple food imports like rice.
Rwanda: The Rural Youth Employment Support (R-YES) Project Second Cohort Commences
The second cohort of the R-YES project in Rwanda commenced on January 16th, 2023, in various Integrated Polytechnic Regional Colleges (IPRCs), TVETs, and agribusiness industries. A total of 454 youth have been onboarded to undergo experiential learning for 3 to 4 months, taking advantage of employment opportunities in different agribusiness fields. The R-YES project is a five-year initiative (2020 - 2024) implemented by Kilimo Trust in partnership with Rwanda Youth in Agribusiness Forum (RYAF), Rwanda Polytechnic, Rwanda TVET Board (RTB), and agribusiness industries. It is funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and Visa Foundation.
Kilimo Trust Webinar: Over Seventy Partners from Across East Africa Discuss Gaps in Nutrition
On March 27th, 2023, Kilimo Trust held a webinar titled “Bridging Gaps Between Production and Consumption of Nutritious and Healthy Foods.” The webinar aimed to share knowledge on bridging the gap between production and consumption of healthy and nutritious foods. Key subtopics included challenges and opportunities for achieving healthy, affordable diets, the role of nutritional education in agriculture extension, innovative post-harvest handling practices, and the role of government and other stakeholders in closing gaps in the availability and consumption of nutritious foods. Speakers included Dr. Julia Maria de Bruyn from the World Vegetable Center, Prof. Ruth K. Aniang’o from the African Journal for Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development (AJFAND), and Mr. Jean de Dieu Umutoni from Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA).
Upcoming Webinar
Kilimo Trust will hold a series of webinars to share knowledge from different projects, discuss what has worked, and share lessons learned. The next webinar will be held in June 2023, with the date, topic, and more details to be announced.
Be Seen Be Heard (BSBH) KT Challenge Winner
The Be Seen Be Heard KT challenge promotes the spirit of responsibility to increase the organization's visibility through social media among its staff. Staff are encouraged to post about ongoing project activities on their social media platforms and engage with Kilimo Trust's social media pages. In this quarter, Anthony Mugambi emerged as the winner for March. Congratulations to Anthony for his efforts in promoting Kilimo Trust.
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.