Authors: Edith Anyango¹, Kevin Onyango², Rhodah Njeri³, Lisa Elena Fuchs²
¹Centre for International Forestry Research - World Agroforestry Centre (CIFOR-ICRAF), Nairobi, Kenya
²Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, Regional Hub, Nairobi, Kenya
³International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), East Africa Hub, Nairobi, Kenya

Introduction

The CGIAR Initiative on Agroecology established the International Network of Agroecology Living Landscapes (INALL) to facilitate knowledge sharing and co-creation among its members. INALL connects all Agroecological Living Landscapes (ALLs)-multi-stakeholder platforms co-developed by AE-I teams in eight participating countries: Burkina Faso, India, Kenya, Laos, Peru, Senegal, Tunisia, and Zimbabwe. All stakeholders involved in the ALLs are considered INALL members. The network supports exchanges of knowledge and learning between Initiative teams and stakeholders.

Recognizing contextual similarities and synergies, the teams from Kenya and Zimbabwe organized an INALL exchange program with two components:

1. In August 2024, a delegation of Initiative stakeholders from Zimbabwe visited Kenya.
2. In October 2024, a delegation of Initiative stakeholders from Kenya visited Zimbabwe.

The goal of these exchanges was to explore innovative practices and approaches in local communities across both countries, fostering mutual learning and collaboration. This blog highlights the second leg of the Kenya-Zimbabwe INALL exchange.

The Team

The Kenyan delegation consisted of 16 diverse stakeholders. This included six farmers from the Dryland Natural Resource Centre (DNRC) in Makueni County and the Community Sustainable Agriculture and Healthy Environment Program (CSHEP) in Kiambu County. DNRC and CSHEP are host centers for the ALLs. The farmers were chosen by their peers based on their active involvement in implementing co-designed agroecological innovations under the Initiative in Kenya. Other Participants were representatives from the ALL host centers, government extension officers from Kiambu and Makueni counties, private sector actors supporting agroecological value chains in the two counties, a representative of PELUM Kenya (a key initiative partner), and members of the Kenya research team.

The exchange provided an opportunity to showcase and learn from agroecological practices in both countries, advancing the goals of the Initiative.

The AE-I Kenya delegation to Zimbabwe. Photo credit: Craig Murazhi, CIMMYT Zimbabwe.

Pause and Reflect Sessions

1. a) CIMMYT Offices, Harare

At CIMMYT Zimbabwe's offices in Harare, the Kenyan team engaged in an interactive session to learn about CIMMYT's initiatives in sustainable agrifood systems in Zimbabwe and allowed for a comparative exchange of experiences between Zimbabwe and other Southern African countries and perspectives from Kenya and East Africa.

Dr. Vimbayi Chimonyo, the Zimbabwe Initiative focal point, facilitated the discussions. Key topics included the seed systems approach to sustainable agriculture, breeding strategies for addressing biotic and abiotic stresses, and the integration of agronomy with agroecology. The team also explored the implementation of AE-I in Zimbabwe, covering key steps such as:

• Identifying the Agroecological Living Labs (ALLs),
• Conducting the visioning process,
• Prioritizing and selecting value chains,
• Co-designing agroecological interventions,
• Selecting business models to support agroecological transitions, and
• Implementing HOLPA.

Dr Vimbayi Chimonyo presented during the visit by the AE-I Kenya team at the CIMMYT office in Harare. Photo credit: Craig Murazhi, CIMMYT, Zimbabwe	Ms Sylvia Wangui of CSHEP Kenya contributing to the discussions at the CIMMYT office in Harare. Photo credit: Craig Murazhi, CIMMYT, Zimbabwe

b) Fambidzanai Learning Centre
The team also visited the Fambidzanai Permaculture Centre on the outskirts of Harare. Fambidzanai serves as a training hub where stakeholders acquire essential skills and knowledge for sustainable food production and income generation while working creatively in harmony with nature. The institution also facilitates peer learning and knowledge exchange among farmers and other stakeholders in the food system. Currently, it actively promotes agroecology and agroecological practices through formal training and demonstrations.

The guided tour of the facility included the herb and tree nursery, composting site, vegetable garden, technology testing fields, food forest, water conservation technologies corner, rabbit pen, traditional stores, soil testing lab, and mobile soil clinic. The team engaged with various agroecological technologies, comparing them to those in Kenya, while exchanging background information and learning about the technologies.

Mrs Mary Njoki, a farmer from CSHEP Kenya at the Fambidzanai soil testing lab. Photo credit: Craig Murazhi, CIMMYT, Zimbabwe	The Kenya delegation learning at the Fambidzanai Agroecology centre. Photo credit: Craig Murazhi, CIMMYT, Zimbabwe

c) A Learning Tour of the Mbire ALLs
The team traveled to Mbire District, a rural area approximately 300 kilometers north of Harare in the Zambezi Valley. The district is characterized by rugged topography, vast forestlands, meandering seasonal rivers, diverse wildlife, and arid to semi-arid conditions. The team visited two ALLs located in Wards 2 and 3 of the district.

The visit began with a courtesy call to the District Development Officer's (DDO) office, where the team engaged with key stakeholders, including the District Development Coordinator, the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), Zimbabwe National Parks, and AGRITEX. Discussions at the DDO's office focused on integrated strategies for addressing challenges faced by Mbire's local communities. These challenges include drought, human-wildlife conflicts, gender-based violence, and livestock pests and diseases. The team also learned about ongoing efforts and programs in water resource management, forest conservation, human-wildlife coexistence, and agroforestry.

In Wards 2 and 3, the team visited several farms showcasing agroecological practices such as minimum tillage, water harvesting and storage, animal feed conservation, mixed farming, the use of farmyard and compost manure, biochar preparation and application, and organic fruit production. Notable examples of mechanization were also demonstrated, with farmers explaining how these tools have reduced labor demands, increased productivity, and boosted their incomes.

A highlight of the farm visits was the "52 by 28" farming model, which integrates various agroecological practices to ensure year-round household food security. Additionally, the team met with a group of farmers to exchange experiences and share knowledge about agroecological interventions implemented in both Kenya and Zimbabwe.

Local farmers in Ward 3 demonstrating compost manure preparation and application. Photo credit: Craig Murazhi, CIMMYT, Zimbabwe	AE-I Zimbabwe's Taurai explaining the "52 by 28 farming model" in Mbire. Photo credit: Craig Murazhi, CIMMYT, Zimbabwe

d) Agroecology Seed and Livestock Fair in Mbire
The AE-I delegation from Kenya also participated in the Agroecology Seed and Livestock Fair, an annual event that connects farmers and local communities with essential resources and services such as seeds, value-added technology, farm mechanization equipment, agroecological inputs, livestock breeds, and agricultural support services. The fair also featured social and cultural activities, including dances and dance competitions, traditional foods and cuisines, and diverse cultural dress styles. Participants came from varied backgrounds, including students, local political leaders, local administrators, researchers from both local and international NGOs, the private sector, civil society, and farmers. The fair provided a valuable opportunity for the Kenya team to interact with the local community and learn about their culture and the technologies on display.

The Kenya team following the proceedings at the seed fair in Mbire. Photo credit: Craig Murazhi, CIMMYT, Zimbabwe	Participants of the seed fair keenly taking lessons. Photo credit: Craig Murazhi, CIMMYT, Zimbabwe
Diverse seeds on display during the seed fair in Mbire. Photo credit: Craig Murazhi, CIMMYT, Zimbabwe	Seed fair participants treated to music and cultural dances. Photo credit: Craig Murazhi, CIMMYT, Zimbabwe

Lessons and Feedback
The INALL Zimbabwe visit provided valuable insights into the complexities and potential of agroecological transformation. Here are the Kenya team's key takeaways:

The Power of Agroecological Resource Centers
Agroecological resource centers, such as Fambidzanai, play a pivotal role in driving food system transformation and promoting the adoption of agroecological practices. Through technology transfer and peer-to-peer learning, these centers empower farmers with the knowledge and skills needed to implement sustainable farming practices and innovations.

The Importance of Inclusive Partnerships
Successful agroecological innovations are fostered by strong partnerships among farmers, researchers, implementers, the private sector, and policymakers. Collaborative approaches that involve all stakeholders in the co-design, coordination, and management of interventions are essential for ensuring that the adoption and scaling objectives of agroecological interventions are met.

The Role of the Private Sector in Sustainable Value Chains
The private sector can significantly contribute to the sustainability of agroecological value chains. By investing in sustainable production practices, promoting fair trade, and supporting local economies, the private sector can drive the transition toward a more equitable and environmentally friendly food system.

Below are quotes from the INALL participants:

"It's been a pleasure being part of the Kenya team to Zimbabwe to see the implementation of agroecological interventions under the CGIAR initiative. The conservation agriculture techniques particularly the push-pull method with sorghum, Brachiaria and cowpeas was really interesting. I would like to take the idea back home and teach my farmers" Sylvia Njonjo, CSHEP Kenya.

"This has been a wonderful trip. I have learnt a lot. I have particularly loved how women and youth are involved in agriculture in Mbire and how they integrate agroforestry into their farms. The technology am taking home is the 52 by 28 farming model for food security. I will definitely share the lessons with my fellow farmers in Makueni" Christine Mutindi, Farmer, DNRC Kenya.

"I appreciate the opportunity to visit Zimbabwe and interact with the people. I have seen farmers implementing a lot of agroecological interventions given the relatively harsh environmental conditions. I was impressed by how farmers conduct seed saving and how they prepare, store and utilize organic resources to improve their soils" George Muturi, Comfort Worms Ltd., Kenya.

"Special appreciation to the organizers of this trip. I have witnessed how farmers work together and apply agroecological interventions to deal with climate-related challenges in Mbire area. The food security approaches and the labor-saving technologies will be key in my extension messages back home in Kiambu " Cecilia Wacera, Extension officer, Kiambu Kenya.

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