CANALLS 4th Newsletter 

20.12.2024

The CANALLS project has released its 4th newsletter, presenting notable achievements and ongoing initiatives to drive agroecological transitions across Central and Eastern Africa. Below are the key highlights:

1. The project has developed experimental field protocols and established trial plots across all the Agroecology Living Labs (ALLs). Practices such as biopesticides, organic fertilizers, and anti-erosion techniques are being tailored to the specific needs of each ALL.

2. The FAO’s Tool for Agroecology Performance Evaluation (TAPE) was selected and adapted to our project's needs as a holistic agroecology assessment framework. Training and surveying per ALL have been conducted, with data analysis underway to establish a baseline for agroecological transitions and farm typologies.

3. A prototype DST for farm advisors has been completed, marking an important step toward providing practical guidance for agroecological transitions. The testing of the tool commenced this December during a field mission led by Dr. Hycenth Tim Ndah and Dr. Beatriz Herrera from the University of Hohenheim. The tool will be further refined and tested across all ALLs in the coming months.

4. Progress has been made in monitoring the ecological, environmental, and social outcomes of implemented practices. Soil samples from coffee farms in Kabare, Biega, and Giheta ALLs are being analyzed.

5. Activities to co-design fair, inclusive, and sustainable business models for the ALLs have begun.

6. Efforts are underway to establish a Central and Eastern Africa network of Agroecology Living Labs, aimed at fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration across the region and beyond.

7. CANALLS has been represented at several international events, including Tropentag2024 and the IFSA Conference by the GFE team and the Tropical Summit by CIRAD. These platforms have spotlighted the project’s innovative approaches to agroecological transitions and sustainable agriculture.

8. Field Visits to ALLs in Cameroon and Burundi provided opportunities to engage with stakeholders and evaluate progress. These interactions shed light on challenges and explored opportunities for agroecological transition.

Please find the details of the newsletter here: 4th Newsletter

Learn more about the CANALLS project