EAC Identifies Critical Crop Pests to Secure Regional Trade and Agriculture
BY BEN MOSES ILAKUT KAMPALA, UGANDA—In a major push to eliminate non-tariff trade barriers and safeguard agriculture across East Africa (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, DRC, and Somalia), technical experts have finalized critical Pest Risk Analyses (PRAs) and accompanying harmonized Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) targeting high-risk threats to the region’s most vital priority crops. Concluding a high-level regional write-shop in Kampala from May 26 to 29, 2026, the joint initiative...
Strengthening Soil Health Knowledge in Uganda Through the CAADP-XP4 Programme
By Genevieve Apio & Emily Arayo. “We are lucky to have trainers from NARO, ASARECA and Makerere University because it is not a daily happening that these groups of specialized Scientists come to training together. Training in soil management is a rare opportunity for us farmers in Lyantonde. We have received good seeds and what has been missing is the soil component”, says a jovial Nakasi Jane Frances the Councilor of...
Transforming Food Systems: Kenya Puts National Agroecology Strategy to the Test via ASARECA Digital Policy Tool
BY BEN MOSES ILAKUT NAIROBI, KENYA—Strengthening coordination mechanisms and implementation arrangements for the delivery of the Kenya National Agroecology Strategy; strengthening capacities of stakeholders for implementation of the Strategy; developing and implementing the monitoring and evaluation framework for the Strategy. These are some of the key recommendations from the Training on Application of ASARECA Policy Manager Tool through Joint Analysis of Kenya’s National Agroecology Strategy for Food System Transformation, held recently...
Breakthrough: Uganda’s Agricultural research apex body, NARO, launches anti-tick vaccine and production facility
BEN MOSES ILAKUT KAMPALA: Uganda’s apex Agricultural Research for Development body, the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) on April 30, 2026 launched Uganda’s first locally developed anti-tick vaccine, marking a major milestone in efforts to combat tick-borne diseases affecting livestock in Uganda and the African Continent. Uganda’s President, Yoweri Museveni appreciates the USD 45million vaccine production facility at NARO Considered a national scientific breakthrough through, the commissioning of the country’s livestock vaccine alongside...
WATDEV Project Promotes Adoption of Climate-Smart Water Management BMPs Outside Study Areas in Kenya and Egypt
By Genevieve Apio The WATDEV project successfully conducted a series of training and dissemination events on Best Management Practices (BMPs) in Kenya and Egypt, targeting communities outside the study areas. Held in Laza Village, Tana River County, Kenya (26–27 March 2026) and Sekem Farm, Belbies, Egypt (29–30 March 2026), the trainings brought together farmers, local stakeholders, and technical experts to exchange knowledge, promote innovation, and encourage the adoption of climate-smart agricultural...
Community Based Breeding Programme Revolution: A New Lifeline for Uganda’s Climate-Smart Livestock
BY BEN MOSES ILAKUT In the heart of Uganda’s cattle corridors, a transformative initiative is taking root to secure the future of indigenous livestock through the synergy of scientific precision and indigenous wisdom. Between March 3 and 12, 2026, a specialized team of experts led by globally renowned animal geneticist and livestock breeder, Prof. Hans Sölkner and Uganda National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Databank (NAGRC&DB) (https://nagrc.go.ug/) researcher, Mr. Yunusu Hamira,...
Stakeholders Co-Create Regional CSA Handbook to Boost Climate-Resilient Agriculture in Eastern and Central Africa
BY BEN MOSES ILAKUT ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA— “Co-creation of knowledge products and services is indispensable in Agricultural Research for Development due to the diversity of value chain stakeholders and immense expertise in the National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) to contribute to product development,” ASARECA Executive Director, Dr. Sylvester Dickson Baguma has told Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) researchers in Ethiopia. “We are gathered here in Addis Ababa not merely to review a...
ASARECA ED, Dr. Sylvester Dickson Baguma holds talks with Ethiopian Institute for Agricultural Research Director General
BY BEN MOSES ILAKUT ADDIS ABABA: The ASARECA Executive Director, Dr. Sylvester Dickson Baguma has held talks with the Director General of the Ethiopian Agricultural Research Institute Prof. Nigussie Dechassa at his office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Director General and the Executive Director discussed a number of strategic issues including sustainable financing of ASARECA to fulfill its mandate to the National Agricultural Research Systems, ASARECA’s role in facilitating regional research collaboration,...
Shaping the Future of Farming: Eastern and Central Africa experts Endorse Regional Strategy for Scaling Climate Smart Agriculture Innovations
BY BEN MOSES ILAKUT NAIROBI, KENYA: ASARECA in collaboration with the CGIAR are intensifying the drive to scale up Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) technologies, innovations and management practices to shape the delivery of resilient food systems in Eastern and Central Africa (ECA). During a pivotal Stakeholder Consultation and Validation Workshop in Nairobi, Kenya on (September 29- October 1), ASARECA Executive Director Dr. Sylvester Dickson Baguma confirmed that the process of finalizing...
Building Resilience of Livelihoods in Refugee host communities through the promotion of Biofortified crops
BY GENEVIEVE APIO KIKUUBE, UGANDA, September 27, 2025 — The Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA), in collaboration with the International Potato Center (CIP), CARE International, the Pan-Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA), the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), and Makerere University College of Health Sciences, successfully conducted a week-long training on the importance of biofortified crops and the scaling of their production in refugee host settlements. The...