Project Steering Committee (PSC)

Formation of the African Organic Network (AfrONet) started in April 2008 in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, at a meeting of three East African National Organic Agriculture Movements (NOAMs), Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN), National Organic Agriculture Movement of Uganda (NOGAMU) and Tanzania Organic Agriculture Movement (TOAM). In 2009, the African meeting of NOAMs present at the first African Organic Agriculture Conference in Kampala, Uganda, reiterated the need for the formation of an umbrella Body to steer organic agriculture networking in Africa. Since then, AfrONet has continued to be strengthened and in May 2012 AfrONet was endorsed to be the continental Organic Agriculture (OA) Network in Africa, that strives to have; i) 40% of African Governments invest in research and capacity strengthening to promote EOA, ii) adoption of EOA technologies and practices increased by 70% and contribute to improved health, climate change mitigation and environmental conservation, iii) increase food security and sovereignty of African smallholder farmers by 50% and iv) increase the share of trade in organic produce and products by 70%.

More information about AfrONet: www.afronet.bio

Biovision Africa Trust (BvAT), a not-for-profit organization established in Kenya in 2009 by the Swiss-based Biovision Foundation for Ecological Development, is situated on the main campus of the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) in Kasarani, Nairobi. The Trust’s goal is to alleviate poverty and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Kenya and other African countries, through supporting sustainable agricultural projects and initiatives focusing on generation and dissemination of information and knowledge on appropriate technology, to improve human, animal, plant, and environmental health. BvAT supports the Biovision Farmer Communication Programme (FCP) and other agro-based initiatives in Africa.

More information about Biovision Africa Trust: www.biovisionafricatrust.org

Conceived in the late 1990’s and voted into existence in 1997 by Sub-Regional Organizations in Africa, the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) is the apex continental organization responsible for coordinating and advocating for agricultural research for development (AR4D). Headquartered in Accra, Ghana, FARA serves as the technical arm of the Africa Union Commission on matters concerning agriculture science, technology and innovation and also serves as the entry point for agricultural research initiatives designed to have a continental reach or a sub-continental reach spanning more than one sub-region. FARA provides a continental forum for stakeholders in AR4D to shape the vision and agenda for this sub-sector, and to mobilize themselves to respond to key continent-wide development frameworks, notably the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). FARA also plays a key role in galvanizing the agricultural research for development sector, and brings a strong African voice to global forums such as the G-8 and the Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR).

More information about COCOBOD: www.faraafrica.org

The Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL Switzerland, FiBL Germany and FiBL Austria are centres for research and consulting on organic agriculture.

FiBL Switzerland was founded in 1973. FiBL's strengths are closely linked interdisciplinary research and the rapid transfer of knowledge from research to extension to agricultural practice. FiBL Switzerland employs a staff of over 175 employees. FiBL has long been committed to the international development of organic agriculture. It works closely with the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) and other international organisations. FiBL has a highly competent staff with expertise in organic soil management, plant production, holistic animal health, animal ethology and organic animal breeding, in socioeconomics, in comprehensive analysis of the organic market, in organic food processing and production and in regional marketing and development. Along with practical research, FiBL places a high priority to knowledge transfer into agricultural practice through advisory work, training courses and expert reports through many means of dissemination, including magazines, technical leaflets, reference books, video and internet. Numerous FiBL projects in Eastern Europe, India, Latin America and Africa promote the development of organic research services as well as advisory and certification services.

More information about FiBL: www.fibl.org

The GLS Future Foundation for Development supports people in their endeavor to achieve an ethical, ecological and social world in form of a cooperation based on communication on equal terms from a holistic development perspective. The GLS Foundation was founded in the context of the “Gemeinschaft für Leihen und Schenken” (GLS) out of the impulse for a conscious use of money, taking responsibility for social, ecological and economic cooperation on the international level. Currently (August 2016) it is cooperating in long term partnerships with 84 partners in 20 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The Foundation derives substantial support from local partners to lay out groundwork for a self-determined life in dignity. The cooperation focusses on organic agriculture, water management and the regional trading of organically produced agricultural goods. The aim is to secure self-sufficiency for the small-scale farmers based on their resources and their own possibilities followed by the promotion of local and regional economic cycles.  With a special focus on women, the GLS Foundation also supports work in holistic health care, emancipatory education, human and ecologic rights, microbusinesses and transparent microcredits accompanied by adequate trainings, as well as the use and promotion of renewable energies. From thirty years of development cooperation, GLS Foundation recognizes that change can only be successful when it is implemented over long periods of time, and that when change has become part of everyday life and sustainable economic independence is achieved. For this reason, the GLS Foundation accompanies people and their projects beyond a predetermined timeframe. The Foundation aspires to enable people - despite globalization - to create decentralized and self-determined habitats, which are ecologically, economically, socially and culturally sustainable.

More information about GLS Future Foundation for Development: www.zukunftsstiftung-entwicklung.de

Hivos is an international organisation that seeks new solutions to persistent global issues (discrimination, inequality, abuse of power and the unsustainable use of the planet’s resources) and focusses on achieving structural change. Hivos cooperates with innovative businesses, citizens and their organisations and shares with their partners a dream of sustainable economies and inclusive societies. The Organization works on advocacy and campaigns directed at governments, international institutions, businesses and citizens in the North or at the global level. Hivos works in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

More information about Hivos: www.hivos.org

IFOAM– Organics International is the only international umbrella organization of the organic world, i.e. all stakeholders contributing to the organic vision. Its goal is the worldwide adoption of ecologically, socially and economically sound systems, based on the Principles of Organic Agriculture. IFOAM Organics International implements the will of its broad-based constituency, with some 800 Affiliates in 117 countries and is governed by a World Board originating from all continents. This allows IFOAM Organics International to unite, lead and assist the organic movement in its full diversity, while providing a common voice on relevant organic issues. The IFOAM Action Network comprises self-organized IFOAM regional and sector groups and daughter organizations. In Africa, it partners with AfrONet http://www.africanorganicnetwork.org

More information on IFOAM - Organics International: www.ifoam.bio

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is one of the world’s leading research partners in finding solutions for hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. IITA is a non-profit international organization founded in 1967 and governed by a Board of Trustees. Its award-winning agricultural research for development (R4D) addresses the needs of the poor and vulnerable in the tropics. It works with public and private sector partners to enhance crop quality and productivity, reduce risk to producers and consumers, and generate wealth from agriculture. The Institute’s R4D covers the following themes: biotechnology and genetic improvement, natural resource management, plant production and plant health, and social science and agribusiness. For the last 45 years, IITA’s agricultural R4D has delivered over 70 per cent of CGIAR impact in sub-Saharan Africa. It has achieved this impact by focusing on key tropical food crops, such as banana and plantain, maize, cassava, soybean, cowpea, tree crops, and yam. With the mission to enhance food security and improve livelihoods through R4D, IITA tackles these challenges by pursuing these interrelated objectives: improving food security, increasing the profitability of foods and other agricultural products, reducing risks to producers and consumers, and helping national entities to expand agricultural growth.

More information about COCOBOD: www.iita.org

The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) was formed in 2014 following an act of parliament aimed at restructuring agricultural and livestock research into a dynamic, innovative, responsive and well-coordinated system driven by a common vision and goal. The formation of KALRO saw the merger of four former agricultural research institutions namely, the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), the Tea Research Foundation (TRF), Coffee Research Foundation (CRF) and the Kenya Sugar Research Foundation (KESREF). KALRO’s mandate is to: Promote, streamline, co-ordinate and regulate research in crops, livestock, genetic resources and biotechnology in Kenya; Expedite equitable access to research information, resources and technology; and to Promote the application of research findings and technology in agriculture. The organization envisions to be a “global leader of excellence in crop and livestock research” for increased resource use efficiency, productivity, food and nutrition security, employment creation, climate change resilience and environmental sustainability.

More information about KALRO: www.kalro.org

The Louis Bolk Institute (LBI) is an independent research, advisory, training and development institute that works to advance sustainable agriculture, nutrition and health. The institute is known for its participatory and systems approach (‘making systems work’) and is acknowledged for its implementation skills and practical solutions. Its results lead to healthy and sustainable growth of humans, animals, plants and soils. LBI was founded in 1976 and is located in Driebergen, the Netherlands. In Africa, LBI operates under the name Agro Eco-Louis Bolk Institute. In Ghana LBI has two offices in Accra and Kumasi. Agro Eco-LBI has a history of developing close to 80 value chains in the tropics, for businesses and for development NGOs. Agro Eco-LBI works primarily together with farmers, NGOs, government ministries, European Commission, the UN, Universities, Development Centres, research institutions including the CGIARs, and private companies.

More information about LBI: www.louisbolk.org

Established in 1922 as a humble technical school and later renamed Uganda Technical College, Makerere University is one of the oldest and most prestigious Universities in Africa. The College expanded over the years to become a Center for Higher Education in East Africa in 1935 and started developing into an institution of higher education, offering post-school certificate courses in 1937. In 1949, it became a University College affiliated to the University College of London, and became established as the University of East Africa in 1963, later becoming an independent national university of the Republic of Uganda in 1970. Currently, Makerere University offers not only day but also evening and external study programmes to a student body of about 30,000 undergraduates and 3,000 postgraduates (both Ugandan and foreign). It is also a very active centre for research. The University has since July 2011 become a Collegiate University, consisting of 8 Colleges and 2 Schools, operating as semi-autonomous units of the University. Makerere University’s vision is to be a centre of academic excellence, providing world class teaching, research and services relevant to sustainable development in Uganda. It’s principal goal is to provide high quality teaching, carry out relevant research and offer professional services to meet the changing needs of society. The main aim is to utilize world worldwide and internally generated information and technology to enhance the University’s leading position in Uganda and beyond.

More information about Makerere University: www.mak.ac.ug

Mercator Foundation Switzerland is committed to a dedicated and open-minded society that deals responsibly with the environment and that provides children and adolescents with equal education opportunities. For this purpose, the foundation initiates projects and supports initiatives of organizations and institutions that share its objectives. The foundation supports scientific and practice-based projects, empowers organizations in their development and aims to ensure that experiences and knowledge are disseminated. The support of young people in Switzerland plays a central role in the foundation’s work.

More information about Mercator Foundation Schweiz: www.stiftung-mercator.ch

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is Switzerland’s international cooperation agency within the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). In operating with other federal offices concerned, SDC is responsible for the overall coordination of development activities and cooperation with Eastern Europe, as well as for the humanitarian aid delivered by the Swiss Confederation. The goal of development cooperation is that of reducing poverty. It is meant to foster economic self-reliance and state autonomy, to contribute to the improvement of production conditions, to help in finding solutions to environmental problems, and to provide better access to education and basic healthcare services.

Among its activities in the priority topic Agriculture and Food Security SDC contributes to a strengthening of agricultural research for development (ARD). Two of SDC’s focus areas in ARD are:

• Assessing the potential of organic agricultural farming systems in tropical and other ecosystems.
• Supporting the development and scale up of innovative crop improvement technologies and management systems that enhance production system productivity.

SDC co-finances the project ‘Productivity and Profitability of Organic and Conventional Farming Systems: A Comparative Analysis in Sub-Saharan Africa' of the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) and its partners in Ghana and Kenya, as well as at regional and global levels.

More information about SDC: www.sdc.admin.ch

Created in 1948 under the name Faculty of Agriculture, the now College of Basic and Applied Sciences of the University of Ghana, Legon, trains  personnel to meet the  demand for high level professional manpower in the agricultural sciences (including soils, crops and animals and), post-harvest, family and consumer sciences, agricultural economics, agricultural administration, agribusiness management in research, and teaching, advisory work and business management for Ghana and the West African sub-region. The College also has a School of Veterinary Medicine and School of Engineering. The schools, departments and research centres  of the College conduct research, and provide extension services to government agencies, multinational agencies, private companies, and private individuals in the fields of agronomy, postharvest, agricultural economics, agribusiness and rural development and recycling of organic waste for agricultural purposes. The College of Basic and Applied Sciences aspires to be a College of excellence in research and training in all relevant areas that the various departments focus on. It seeks to provide a congenial environment for the training of highly qualified and enterprising agriculturist, scientists and business practitioners for the purposes of training/teaching, research and extension.


More information about University of Ghana: www.ug.edu.gh

Center for Development Research (ZEF), Bonn University, Germany The Center for Development Research (ZEF) is an institute of the University of Bonn, Germany. It started its research activities in 1997. ZEF's researchers aim to find science-based solutions to development-related issues. ZEF’s research departments on Economic and Technological Change, Political and Cultural Change, and  Ecology and Natural Resources Management conduct inter- and trans-disciplinary research in, for and with emerging economies and on global issues with its collaborating research partners around the world. ZEF educates doctoral students from all over the world in its Doctoral Studies Program. ZEF is guided by an International Advisory Board.

More information about ZEF: www.zef.de