EAC launches USD12.5 million Sustainable Regional Agricultural Extension (ENSURE) Project to boost agricultural production
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 11th March, 2025: The East African Community has launched the three-year Sustainable Regional Agricultural Extension (ENSURE) Project, with a total budget of USD12 .5 million aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability across the East African region.
The project funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB), is expected to increase the long-term sustainability of agriculture in the region by increasing access to robust extension services while improving the capacity of Partner States to provide responsive and reflexive extension services, and training in line with Article 105 (2d) of the treaty for establishment of EAC
The project will focus on three (3) key areas of intervention, namely: (i) to create an enabling an environment for regional harmonized extension and inputs policies, (ii) to deploy a regional pluralistic extension approach (public, private NGOs); and (iii) to establish a regional extension capacity-building programme targeting trans-boundary pests and diseases especially fall armyworm and desert locusts.
ENSURE project is expected to benefit over 5 million people (direct and indirect) across the region through improvements in agriculture extension systems with at least 50% women as beneficiaries and create at least 1 million jobs (50 %women), across the region through selected bundled extension packages with the existing pluralistic extension approaches in the region.
Speaking during the launch of the project, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Infrastructure, Productive, Social and Political Sectors, Hon. Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth, said that the project begins at a pivotal moment as the EAC aims to transform its agricultural sector through various initiatives, including the Agricultural Inputs System Development Programme and the EAC Regional Agriculture Investment Plan (RAIP).
The DSG underscored the importance of the project in promoting a regional approach to strengthening agricultural extension, enhancing the role of extension in transforming agriculture, facilitating farmers access to advice and information, and supporting the adoption of climate-smart technologies and building the resilience of farming communities.
“I ask everyone to concentrate on how our efforts will contribute to the project's broader goals, while also emphasizing value for money. Our citizens are the true stakeholders in this process, and it is our responsibility to ensure that the outcomes of this project lead to meaningful improvements in the agricultural sector of the Partner States.”
Hon. Ariik further emphasised the critical role of agriculture in the region's economic landscape, adding that agricultural sector remains the backbone of EAC economies in addition to employing over 60% of the population.
“The ENSURE Project is a beacon of hope, designed to equip our farmers with the necessary skills, knowledge, and resources to thrive sustainably,” said the DSG.
On his part, the AfDB Chief Agricultural Technologies Officer - Agricultural Research, Production and Sustainability, Dr. Innocent Musyabimana, highlighted the importance of investment in agriculture for fostering regional development.
“The African Development Bank is committed to financing projects that enhance agricultural resilience and productivity. We are proud to support the ENSURE Project, as it aligns with our mission to improve food security and reduce poverty across the continent,” said Dr. Nusyabimana.
Dr. Musyabimana said the project seeks to address the main challenges faced by farmers in the region including: limited access to extension services and training, limited access to new climate-smart technologies and inputs, and limited knowledge and skills to use these inputs effectively.
“With the use of digital extension technologies (internet, podcasts, videos, social media platforms), the project will seek to bridge the gap in access to extension information between men, women, and youth by promoting more equitable access among these different beneficiaries,” he said.
The three-year project is expected to meaningfully support the improvement of women and men’s access to agricultural technology and knowledge to support the implementation of its Gender Policy and place the institution as a leader in this sector.
The project will concentrate on advancing agricultural innovations that can attract youth to participate in agricultural activities as well as reduce the workload for women and boost their productivity and raise their income.
For more information, please contact:
Simon Peter Owaka
Senior Public Relations Officer
Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department
EAC Secretariat
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255 768 552087
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of eight (8) Partner States, comprising the Republic of Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Rwanda, the Federal Republic of Somalia, the Republic of South Sudan, the Republic of Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. The Federal Republic of Somalia was admitted into the EAC bloc by the Summit of EAC Heads of State on 24th November, 2023 and became a full member on 4th March, 2024
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