The importance of Ecological organic agriculture (EOA) practices is increasingly recognized for improving food security in Africa and especially in challenging environments for the smallholder sector. However, solid data on the benefits of EOA practices and systematic information on their drawbacks in Africa are still lacking in many contexts. As a result many farmers, advisors, scientists and government officials are still uncertain on whether EOA are able to markedly improve yields while significantly reducing production gaps and increasing farm profits compared with high-input agriculture systems in Africa. In close consultation with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and EOA key stakeholders, ProEcoOrganicAfrica will generate scientific evidence and knowledge on the productivity, profitability and sustainability of EOA in comparison to conventional systems in Ghana and Kenya. Sound conclusions and recommendations will be drawn on the potential of EOA to help farmers, especially women, to be economically more successful and more resilient to adverse impacts of climate change and socio-economic challenges. The project will promote capacity building, networking and a conducive policy environment for effective and efficient sharing of knowledge /experience, so as to enhance agronomic and scientific know-how.
Development Goal
The ProEcoOrganicAfrica Project will contribute to improved rural livelihoods, including food, nutrition and income security in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) through climate-smart intensification of agricultural systems.
Purpose
In close alignment to EOA, and in close consultation with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and EOA key stakeholders, ProEcoOrganicAfrica will generate scientific evidence and knowledge on the productivity, profitability and sustainability of EOA in comparison to conventional systems in Ghana and Kenya. Sound conclusions and recommendations will be drawn on the potential of EOA to help farmers, especially women, to be more economically successful and resilient to adverse impacts of climate change and socio-economic challenges.
Expected Outcomes
Outcome 1: Increased availability of scientific and sound evidence on the potential of intensified organic agriculture to improve and sustain incomes and food and nutrition security of smallholder farming households.
Outcome 2: Organic practitioners have increased capacity and knowledge for effective promotion of innovative organic agriculture practices through use of research information.
Outcome 3: Policies towards ecological organic agriculture are supported at national, sub regional and regional levels through the EOA Initiative.
Key Activities
The ProEcoOrganicAfrica objectives will be achieved through implementation of the following key activities:
Project Beneficiaries
ProEcoOrganicAfrica findings are expected to facilitate decision making and practice by farmers, extension agents, research and development organizations, academic institutions, and national and regional ecological organic networks, as well as public and private policy and decision makers in SSA.
Ghana
Kenya
Regional
International
Coordination and harmonization of research methodology, data quality monitoring, data analysis and synthesis, lead author in publishing the main research paper
