Cak Ceo Briefs Eaff Team On Fo4acp Project Midterm Review

Nairobi, Kenya – The Co-operative Alliance of Kenya (CAK) recently hosted a detailed briefing session with the Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF) team at its Nairobi offices. The meeting focused on the midterm review of the Farmers’ Organization for Africa Climate Project (FO4ACP), an initiative funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to strengthen farmer organizations, promote climate-smart agriculture, and enhance rural livelihoods across Eastern Africa.

Project Overview and Objectives

The FO4ACP project was launched to address the challenges faced by farmers in Eastern Africa, particularly in the context of climate change and food insecurity. The project aims to equip farmers’ organizations with the knowledge, tools, and networks needed to adopt sustainable agricultural practices, improve productivity, and increase resilience to climate shocks.

“The FO4ACP initiative is designed to empower farmers to become more resilient, productive, and innovative in the face of climate challenges,” said Daniel Marube, CEO of CAK. “Through targeted capacity-building, knowledge sharing, and multi-stakeholder collaboration, we are seeing tangible improvements in both the livelihoods of farmers and the operational capacity of their organizations.”

Key Achievements at Midterm

During the session, Marube highlighted several significant milestones achieved under the FO4ACP project. These include:

• Strengthened governance and operational structures within farmers’ organizations, allowing for more efficient management and service delivery.
• Increased adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices, such as improved crop varieties, soil conservation techniques, and sustainable livestock management.
• Enhanced access to market opportunities through the development of farmer cooperatives and improved linkages with buyers and agribusinesses.
• Capacity-building initiatives for women and youth, ensuring that marginalized groups are actively involved in decision-making and benefit from project interventions.
• Promotion of knowledge-sharing platforms, enabling farmers to learn from regional experiences and best practices in climate adaptation.

These achievements have been critical in ensuring that farmer organizations are not only more resilient to environmental and economic challenges but also better positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities in the agricultural sector.

Engaging Stakeholders for Collaborative Impact

The briefing provided an interactive platform for the EAFF team to engage with CAK representatives and exchange insights on project implementation. Participants discussed lessons learned, challenges encountered, and strategies to maximize impact in the remaining phases of the project.

Marube emphasized the importance of multi-stakeholder engagement in achieving the project’s objectives. “Collaboration between farmer organizations, development partners, and policy actors is central to building resilient agricultural systems. By sharing experiences and working together, we can ensure that the benefits of FO4ACP reach the grassroots level effectively,” he said.

The discussions also touched on the value of monitoring and evaluation in shaping project outcomes. Both CAK and EAFF teams agreed that continuous tracking of progress, combined with adaptive management strategies, would enable the project to remain responsive to the evolving needs of farmers.

Focus on Women and Youth Empowerment

A key area of emphasis during the session was the role of women and youth in driving sustainable agricultural development. The FO4ACP project has placed a strong focus on promoting inclusivity, ensuring that these groups have access to training, resources, and decision-making platforms within farmer organizations.

“Women and youth are the backbone of agriculture in Eastern Africa. Their active participation is critical to achieving long-term resilience and productivity,” Marube noted. “FO4ACP interventions have been tailored to provide them with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities they need to thrive.”

Challenges and Lessons Learned

While the project has made considerable progress, the midterm review also highlighted some challenges. These include limited access to finance for smallholder farmers, variability in climate conditions, and the need for stronger market linkages to ensure profitability. Both CAK and EAFF teams discussed strategies to address these gaps, including leveraging digital tools, enhancing cooperative governance, and advocating for supportive policies at the national and regional levels.

Lessons learned from the project so far have reinforced the importance of context-specific approaches, adaptive management, and continuous stakeholder engagement. By documenting successes and challenges, the project can provide a model for scaling climate-smart interventions across the region.

Looking Ahead

The midterm review represents an important milestone in the FO4ACP project journey. Moving forward, CAK and EAFF will continue to work closely to ensure that the remaining phases of the project build on the successes achieved so far. Key priorities include expanding training programs, deepening market access initiatives, and strengthening the capacity of farmers’ organizations to sustain and scale their impact.

“Our commitment remains unwavering,” Marube concluded. “Through continued collaboration and a focus on innovation, inclusivity, and resilience, FO4ACP will continue to transform the livelihoods of farmers and contribute to a stronger, climate-resilient agricultural sector in Eastern Africa.”

Photo caption: CAK CEO Daniel Marube briefs the EAFF team on the FO4ACP project during the midterm review at CAK offices in Nairobi.