Education and Training for Sustainable Agriculture and Nutrition in East Africa
Project consortium
Georg Cadisch (PI, georg.cadisch@uni-hohenheim.de), University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
Irmgard Jordan (irmgard.jorden@uni-giessen.de), Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Germany
Verena Bitzer (V.Bitzer@kit.nl), Koninklijk Instituut voor de Tropen, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Ineke Aquarius (iaquarius@mangotreeuganda.org) Mango Tree Education Enterprise LTD, Kampala, Uganda
Johnny Mugisha (johnnymugisha@gmail.com), Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
Lydiah Waswa, Egerton University, Nakuru, Kenya, Email: marutilydiah@gmail.com
Project’s summary/abstract:
Nutrition-sensitive agriculture and diverse diets have been identified as strategies for improving nutrition. Little is known about the interlinkages between consumption and production strategies, and the preconditions and incentives required for farmers to engage in diversified crop production. The proposed project EaTSANE will apply an integrated approach for innovation and capacity strengthening to facilitate systemic change in the food system. It aims to implement sustainable farming practices and improved diets of households in Kenya and Uganda, using a participatory action learning approach. The consortium complements its expertise across multiple research disciplines with extensive experience in communication and learning approaches, and stakeholder engagement for transdisciplinary research. Learning modules on sustainable farming practices and diversified diets will be developed and implemented with schools, young farmer clubs, education experts and national curriculum development centres. The researcher teams, together with farming communities, will co-create knowledge on the use of conservation agriculture practices for sustainable production of nutrient-rich and diverse food, improved soil fertility, on obstacles and opportunities for farmers to engage in diversified production, and improvement of households’ food culture. Findings from the studies will lead to scientific publications and build the basis for policy dialogue and knowledge- sharing activities on a national level with a particular focus on women and youth.
Project’s main objective(s):
EaTSANE’s main objectives are (i) identifying and promoting improved farming practices for healthier soils and production of diverse, nutritious crops; (ii) improving access of value chain actors to inputs and services, their links and reducing food losses through improved handling and processing practices; and (iii) enhancing consumers’ food culture, resulting in healthier diets and more equitable distribution of food in households.
Theory of Change and Impact Pathway
Summary ToC with assumptions
The data and experiences from previous research in the EaTSANE study regions indicate that soil fertility i low, farm households lack knowledge on conservation agriculture concepts and better food choices, households food distribution is inequitable, and low-income consumers have limited access to affordable nutritious food Smallholder farmers have witnessed yield reductions due to general decreasing soil fertility, accelerated b inadequate farming practices such as monocropping and low biodiversity. In addition, access to nutrient-dense crop is constrained by a fragmentation of actors in the food system and weak value chain coordination. These aspect result in limited availability, affordability, access and stability of low-income consumers to nutritious foods. I EaTSANE’s study areas, less than 45% of women and men eat food from more than five food groups, which i considered as minimum for an adequate diet.
EaTSANE aims at establishing more sustainable farming practices and improved diets in Kenya and Uganda The project works on three pathways to success: (i) Diversified farming practices for healthier soils an diversified production; (ii) Improved access of value chain actors to inputs and services and creating a enabling environment; (iii) Enhancing consumers’ food culture and diversified nutrition.
Three interlinked science-based WPs facilitate learning along the three pathways through participatory actio research. They create outputs in two respects: Firstly, the activities translate directly into learning and chang processes for participating actors in the target region. Secondly, research findings feed into a nationa communication and dissemination strategy. A WP on communication and education supports the production o tool kits, learning materials, information campaigns, and contributes to a policy dialogue based on the findings from the science-based WPs.
All project outputs contribute to outcomes in form of behavior change of farmers and other value chai actors who are involved in participatory action research as well as a wider group of people who will b addressed with the planned communication and education measures.
Expected outcomes and impact
In brief, EaTSANE’s expected outcomes and impact consist of high-impact presentations a international conferences and scientific publications; capacity building of young academics; improve communication and education material on sustainable agriculture and nutrition; social media addressed t young people; multi-stakeholder innovation platforms; new networks and learning of value chain actors o improved handling and processing; learning on improved kitchen management and feeding practice through tool kits/manuals; school education modules and participatory action learning in rura communities that strengthen households to produce more nutritious crops and healthier diets; policy brief and dialogue to inform decision-makers on local and national level.