31/08/2026
Stakeholders Strengthen Practical Learning and Joint Action on Agroecology
The Institute for Sustainable Development (ISD), under the “Enhancing Agro-ecology and Agroforestry for Resilient and Integrated Food Systems in Africa” (EAAFRIFA) project, brought together farmers and key local stakeholders for a two-day participatory learning, experience-sharing, brainstorming, and joint-planning workshop held on 28–29 August 2026 at Gerba High School, Kalu district and selected farmers’ fields.
Before the workshop discussions began, participants visited the Moringa seedlings planted within the Gerba High School compound as part of the project’s earlier activities. The visit provided an opportunity to see the progress of the seedlings.
The seedlings have shown remarkable growth and establishment, with all the planted seedlings successfully growing. The encouraging results demonstrated the potential of Moringa to contribute to school greening, biodiversity, nutrition, environmental awareness, and community learning. Participants reflected on the importance of continued care and the possibility of using the school compound as a practical learning space for students and the wider community.
The first day of the workshop provided a platform for farmers and stakeholders to reflect on previous training, activities, and practical experiences related to composting, agroforestry, Moringa, biodiversity conservation, and intergenerational learning.
Farmers shared what they had learned and applied in their communities, including the successes they have achieved, challenges they have encountered, lessons learned, and areas where additional technical or institutional support is required.
The discussions helped participants move beyond simply reviewing past activities and focus on what has worked, what needs improvement, and what can be strengthened through collaboration.
On the second day, participants moved from classroom discussion to hands-on learning in farmers’ fields, visiting the Degan EOA Mango Cluster and selected farmers’ fields.
The field visit provided an opportunity to observe practical experiences in Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA), agroforestry, soil fertility management, biodiversity conservation, and farmer-led innovations.
Host farmers, Hussein and Endris, shared their experiences with participants. They explained the practices they have adopted, the benefits they have observed, the challenges they continue to face, and the types of support that could help them further strengthen and expand their work.
Rather than learning only through presentations, participants were able to see the practices directly in the field, ask questions, exchange experiences, and discuss their practical application.
The field visit also encouraged participants to think about how successful practices could be replicated, adapted, or further developed in Wodajo 022 Kebele.
Following the field visit, stakeholders came together and divided into two discussion groups to translate the lessons and observations into concrete actions. Each group discussed priority issues and proposed practical interventions, while considering the responsibilities of different stakeholders, available resources, timelines, and mechanisms for collaboration and follow-up.
Farmers, Development Agents (DAs), the Kalu Wereda Agriculture Office and other wereda stakeholders, Wollo University, Kalu Agriculture Technical College, Kalu Plant Health Services contributed their perspectives and identified areas where they can provide support.
The group discussions resulted in the development and refinement of a joint action plan, helping to clarify who will do what, what resources are needed, when activities should be implemented, and how stakeholders will work together and follow up on agreed actions.
The two-day process demonstrated the value of connecting knowledge, practical experience, and joint planning. By bringing farmers, institutions, government offices and development actors together, the workshop created space for farmer-to-farmer learning, stakeholder collaboration, and collective problem-solving.
The experience at Gerba High School and the farmers’ fields also highlighted an important principle of the EAAFRIFA project: sustainable agricultural practices become more meaningful when communities can learn from real experiences, build on local knowledge, and work together to turn lessons into action.
Through the EAAFRIFA project, ISD continues to promote agroecology, agroforestry, biodiversity conservation, Moringa, local knowledge, intergenerational learning, and resilient local food systems through community-led learning and multi-stakeholder collaboration.
