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About the Impact Center

This center was developed to provide ECHO services to help those in East Africa who work with the poor more effectively, especially in  ​​agriculture and alternative methods. ECHO East Africa is a basic training center providing technical assistance to help organizations and community development workers work more effectively to reduce hunger.



Services

  • Conduct research and development on locally appropriate sustainable agriculture practices
  • Collaborate with, and provide networking opportunities for, development agencies working in East Africa
  • Provide garden displays and demonstrations of agricultural options
  • Provide agricultural resources for study
  • Demonstrate alternative training methods, including creative collaboration and exhibitions
  • The ECHO seed bank provides packaged seeds, as well as seed exchange opportunities and seed conservation education
  • Training for home gardens (organic gardens, kitchen gardens, gardens, bags and manufacture of peat)
  • Training and visits to fruit tree nurseries
  • Organization of conferences, workshops, forums, exchange visits, and training in best practices
  • Network between farmers and other development partners
  • Conduct agricultural fairs

 

 

Contact:

Erwin Kinsey

ECHO East Africa Impact Center
P O Box 15205
Arusha Tanzania

eastafrica@echocommunity.org

 

East Africa Updates

Member Highlight: Mama Shujaa's Journey with ECHO East Africa 2024-08-06

by Brianna Medina, Lola Teer Beast, Roberto Fortunato, Joyce Nambaso, and CharlesBonaventura

In the heart of Meru district, Elinuru, or as most people call her "Mama Shujaa" translated from Swahili as “warrior woman” stands as a beacon of resilience and sustainability, embodying the spirit of change within her community. Mama Shujaa's introduction to ECHO came years ago during a transformative training session on perennial vegetables. Inspired by the possibilities these resilient crops offered, she became a fervent advocate, transforming her own garden into a living example of sustainable agriculture. Mama Shujaa firmly believes in the transformative potential of youth. She advocates for integrating environmental education into the school curriculum, empowering the next generation to confront climate change head-on. Her vision is simple yet profound: every child should learn not only how to grow a tree but also how to tend to their own gardens at home. Through these encounters, Mama Shujaa amplified her voice, advocating for sustainable practices and the empowerment of women in agriculture. As she aptly puts it, "The only way to make long-term changes is through education," a philosophy that continues to guide her journey towards a greener, more sustainable future for generations to come.

Learn more about perennial vegetables in East Africa

Latest Resources: East Africa

Africa Soil Health Consortium

ASHC defines integrated soil fertility management or ISFM as : "A set of soil fertility management practices that necessarily include the use of fertilizer, organic inputs and improved germplasm combined with the knowledge o...

The effect of traditional malting technology practiced by an ethnic community in northern Uganda on in‐vitro nutrient bioavailability and consumer sensory preference for locally formulated complementary food formulae

Alowo D, Muggaga C, Ongeng D. The effect of traditional malting technology practiced by an ethnic community in northern Uganda on in-vitro nutrient bioavailability and consumer sensory preference for locally formulated compl...

Diversity of Sources of Income for Smallholder Farming Communities in Malawi: Importance for Improved Livelihood

Bhatti, M.A.; Godfrey, S.S.; Ip, R.H.L.; Kachiwala, C.; Hovdhaugen, H.; Banda, L.J.; Limuwa, M.; Wynn, P.C.; Ådnøy, T.; Eik, L.O. Diversity of Sources of Income for Smallholder Farming Communities in Malawi: Importance for I...

Agriculture and Food Security - Malawi

To address food insecurity and spur agriculture-led growth, the government of Malawi has developed a National Nutrition Policy and Strategic Plan, closely linked to its Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (C...

National Smallholder Farmers’ Association of Malawi (NASFAM)

NASFAM is a farmer-member controlled system. This control starts at Association level. The NASFAM system is organised into a unique extension network to support its membership of around 100,000 smallholder farmers. The small...

About East Africa

Food insecurity has increased significantly in East Africa due to the rapid increase in population, with an increase of 150% by 2050. Over 40% of children in East Africa are malnourished. The largest number of these children are orphaned and living in difficult circumstances. Most of the rural population lives in poverty, relying on a subsistence lifestyle. Some of the reasons for this situation include:

  • A High rate of loss of yield
  • Underdeveloped, weak markets, farmers lack the infrastructure to improve thier value chains
  • Minority farmers and herdsmen in the region, don't have adequate access to agricultural services, continuing education or access to formal training
  • Increased pressure forcing families to cultivate a little land, which results in land degradation and loss of sustainability in food production
  • Drought, especially in arid pastoralist areas.
  • Deforestation
  • Flooding
  • Climate

Where we are located

If you are driving North from Arusha, it is 15 km north of the city along A104 (the main road). After you see Mount Meru University on the right, the office will be another half km north and on the right-hand side of the road.
If you are driving South from Nairobi, it is 96 km south of the Namanga border crossing along A104 (the main road). As you see Mount Meru getting closer, pay attention and look for the Habari Maalum Station which will be on the left-hand side of the road.
 
If you come via public transportation, ride the bus (dala dala) from Arusha to Ngaramtoni; then take another bus from Ngaramtoni to the Habari Maalum Radio Station. Guards and staff will be happy to give you directions to the front door of the ECHO office.