Ruhengeri, Musanze, March 24-28, 2025 – The Strengthening Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Ecosystem for Inclusive Rural Transformation and Livelihoods in Eastern Africa #AIRTEA project, a transformative initiative aimed at strengthening agricultural knowledge and innovation ecosystems in Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, held its official close-out and capitalization meeting in Rwanda. This event brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from academic and research institutions, government agencies, farmer cooperatives, and SMEs, to share the project’s key successes, challenges, and lessons learned.
Since its inception in February 2021, the AIRTEA project has significantly contributed to bridging gaps in agricultural knowledge and innovation in East Africa. By focusing on empowering women and youth through entrepreneurial skills and inclusive platforms, the project has transformed rural economies and strengthened food systems. Among its notable achievements, AIRTEA has established and strengthened multi-stakeholder innovation platforms across Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, trained farmers in improved agricultural practices, developed digital tools to enhance agricultural knowledge-sharing and market access, and fostered market linkages for key crops, including cassava, potatoes, and indigenous vegetables. It has also promoted value-added products and agribusiness mentorship to improve profitability and employment opportunities.
Over the past three years, third-party projects under AIRTEA have implemented various initiatives across multiple agricultural value chains, including aquaculture, crops, livestock, and ICT. Through a competitive grants scheme, the project provided funding to third-party actors to support innovation and sustainable practices in agriculture. As the initiative reaches its final phase, this meeting served as a platform to capture and disseminate best practices and innovative approaches that have emerged during implementation.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Telesphore Ndabamenye, Director General of the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board, commended the AIRTEA third-party projects for empowering women and youth by enhancing their entrepreneurial skills and providing them with access to inclusive platforms.
The close-out meeting was conducted as a five-day in-person event from March 24-28, 2025, in Musanze District, in the Northern Province of Rwanda. Sessions included PowerPoint presentations, stakeholder discussions, and interactive knowledge-sharing activities to ensure a comprehensive review of the project’s impact. Participants engaged in meaningful conversations about how the project’s achievements could be scaled and sustained beyond its official timeline.
The primary aim of the meeting was to assess the impact of the AIRTEA project and compile valuable insights gained during its execution. The discussions focused on documenting and sharing the project’s successes, challenges, and lessons learned, as well as identifying and disseminating best practices and innovative approaches. Additionally, the event provided an opportunity to foster collaboration and networking among stakeholders while informing future programming and policy directions in beneficiary countries.
The meeting resulted in several key outcomes, including the development of a comprehensive report detailing the achievements, challenges, and lessons learned from third-party projects. An inventory of best practices, success stories, case studies, and lessons was compiled to inform future project design and implementation. The event also strengthened networks among stakeholders and partners, fostering continued collaboration. Moreover, actionable recommendations were developed for future programming and policy decisions aimed at enhancing agricultural transformation in the region.
By leveraging collaboration and digital innovation, AIRTEA has played a critical role in enhancing agricultural production, processing, and market access, particularly for women and youth. As the project concludes, stakeholders promised to remain committed to sustaining its impact and scaling up its successful initiatives to ensure continued growth in the agricultural sector. The outcomes of this meeting will serve as a roadmap for future agricultural development programs, reinforcing the importance of knowledge-sharing and multi-stakeholder engagement in driving sustainable agricultural transformation in East Africa.
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