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East Africa Regional Resources

About the Impact Center

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

Fill It Full: A Simple Way to Reduce Weevil Damage in Maize Seed Stored in Airtight Containers 2021-09-27

Postharvest losses inflicted by insect pests in stored grains represent major challenge smallholder farmers face in the global South. The maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais) is one of the most important postharvest pests in maize. With dry maize stored in woven polypropylene bags, Likhayo et al. (2018) found that insect pests (maize weevils and another maize pest called the lesser grain borer [Prostephanus truncatus]) reduced grain weight by 36%. Such losses threaten farmers’ food security and overall financial stability.

 

Read the Full ECHO Research Note

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Latest Resources: East Africa

Impact assessment of perennial vegetable training on attendees at hospitals and clinics

Between January – February 2023 an impact assessment was made to try to determine whether ECHO East Africa’s initiative to train hundreds of clinic attendees at mother and child health clinics was an effective way to promote...

Combating Hunger Among Pastoralists

This article summarizes research by Savannas Forever, conducted on behalf of Canadian Foodgrains Bank and Global Service Corps. Findings are shared with permission from Susan James, Director of Savannas Forever.  

Maasai Pastoralists: Practices, Culture, and Role in Tanzanian Society

Pastoralism has been for centuries an important component of living for multiple tribal groups in Africa, particularly for the Maasai. Historically tied to a nomadic life, pastoralism is changing. It is also in jeopardy, bot...

Potential role of neglected and underutilized plant species in improving women’s empowerment and nutrition in areas of sub-Saharan Africa

Maria Vittoria Conti, Ausilia Campanaro, Paola Coccetti, Rachele De Giuseppe, Andrea Galimberti, Massimo Labra, Hellas Cena, Potential role of neglected and underutilized plant species in improving women’s empowerment and nu...

Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS) for Improved Food Security and Resilience to Climate Change

A Contextualized Learning Manual for African Colleges and Universities

Kasolo, W., Chemining’wa, G., and Temu, A. 2018. Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS) for Improved Food Security and Resilience to Climate...

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.

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