The East African Community (EAC) has launched the three-year Sustainable Regional Agricultural Extension (ENSURE) Project, a $12.5 million initiative aimed at improving agricultural productivity and sustainability across the region.
Funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the project seeks to enhance long-term agricultural sustainability by expanding access to extension services. It will also strengthen the capacity of EAC Partner States to provide effective training and advisory services, in line with Article 105 (2d) of the EAC Treaty.
The initiative will focus on three key areas: creating a supportive environment for harmonised regional extension and input policies, deploying a pluralistic extension model that includes public and private sector participation, and establishing a regional extension training programme to tackle transboundary pests such as the fall armyworm and desert locusts.
ENSURE is expected to benefit over five million people, directly and indirectly, through improved agricultural extension services. At least half of the beneficiaries will be women. The project also aims to create one million jobs across the region, ensuring gender balance in employment opportunities.
Speaking at the project launch, EAC Deputy Secretary General for Infrastructure, Productive, Social and Political Sectors, Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth, said the initiative comes at a crucial time as the region seeks to transform its agricultural sector. He linked the project to broader EAC efforts, including the Agricultural Inputs System Development Programme and the EAC Regional Agriculture Investment Plan (RAIP).
He stressed the importance of a regional approach in strengthening extension services, helping farmers access vital information, and adopting climate-smart technologies to build resilience.
“I urge all stakeholders to focus on ensuring that our efforts contribute to the project’s broader objectives while maximising value for money. Our citizens are the real stakeholders, and we must guarantee that this project leads to tangible improvements in the agricultural sector,” he said.
Ariik further emphasised that agriculture remains the backbone of EAC economies, employing over 60% of the population. He described ENSURE as a transformative initiative that will equip farmers with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to succeed.
AfDB’s Chief Agricultural Technologies Officer for Agricultural Research, Production and Sustainability, Innocent Musyabimana, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting agricultural resilience and productivity.
“The African Development Bank is dedicated to funding projects that enhance agricultural development. We are proud to support ENSURE as it aligns with our mission to improve food security and reduce poverty across Africa,” said Dr. Musyabimana.
He noted that the project aims to tackle key challenges farmers face, including limited access to extension services, climate-smart technologies, and agricultural inputs. By leveraging digital tools such as online platforms, podcasts, videos, and social media, the initiative will bridge the gap in information access among men, women, and youth.
Over the next three years, ENSURE will prioritise agricultural innovations that attract youth to farming, reduce the workload for women, and boost productivity and income levels. The project will also align with EAC’s Gender Policy to ensure equitable access to agricultural knowledge and technology.