The CRAFT team recently converged in Mbale, Uganda to reflect on their work in the three countries- Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, and share the valuable learnings they have gathered. The team, comprising CRAFT members from SNV, Agriterra, Wageningen University and Research, and AICCRA, also discussed the focus areas for the next six months.

Zena Hekili, a 43-year-old woman residing in the serene Likuyu Seka village, nestled within the Namtumbo district of Ruvuma region, Tanzania. Zena, a devoted farmer, discovered her fascination for sunflower cultivation when she realized the myriad of health benefits of sunflower-derived cooking oil. Scientifically proven to contain valuable ingredients beneficial for overall well-being, sunflower became her newfound passion.

In Uganda, smallholder farmers face the daunting challenges of climate change and limited agricultural services. Among them, Alito Joint Farmers’ Cooperative, situated in Northern Uganda's Kole District, struggled with low production and losses caused by climate-related shocks. Their difficulties in accessing essential agro-inputs, inadequate storage facilities, and fluctuating market prices hindered their ability to meet market demand.   

“Agribusinesses play a significant role in scaling up of climate adaptation measures in value chains. By leveraging the expertise and resources of Agri-SMEs, CRAFT seeks to implement comprehensive strategies that address the specific vulnerabilities posed by climate change.” Menno Keizer, the Climate Resilient Agribusiness for Tomorrow (CRAFT) Project’s multi-country manager.