EAC Launches $250M Agricultural Project to Boost Farming

EAC Launches $250 Million Agricultural Project to Boost Farming

Arusha, March 12, 2025 – The East African Community (EAC) has unveiled a transformative $250 million (Sh31.25 billion) agricultural initiative aimed at enhancing productivity and sustainability across the region. The three-year project, known as the Sustainable Regional Agricultural Extension (ENSURE), is financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and seeks to improve agricultural extension services, increase access to farm inputs, and strengthen member states’ capacity to address cross-border challenges such as pest infestations and crop diseases.

Speaking at the launch event in Arusha, EAC Deputy Secretary-General for Infrastructure, Productive, Social, and Political Sectors, Andrea Aguer Ariik, emphasized the project’s critical timing, aligning with EAC’s broader agricultural transformation agenda.

“This funding is a timely intervention as EAC implements major agricultural reforms through the Regional Agricultural Inputs Market Development Program and the Regional Agricultural Investment Plan (RAIP),” Ariik stated.

ENSURE is projected to benefit over five million people, with the creation of one million direct employment opportunities. Notably, at least 50% of the beneficiaries will be women, fostering gender inclusion in agricultural advancement.

Agriculture remains a cornerstone of the EAC economy, employing over 60% of the region’s population. Ariik underscored the necessity of investing in extension services to boost productivity and safeguard food security for current and future generations.

AfDB’s Head of Agricultural Technologies, Dr. Innocent Musyabimana, highlighted the bank’s commitment to supporting initiatives that drive regional food security. He noted that ENSURE will address key farming challenges, including limited advisory services, lack of access to climate-smart agricultural technologies, and inadequate knowledge of efficient input utilization.

“This project will enhance access to agricultural technologies and knowledge for both men and women, in line with EAC’s gender policy. Additionally, it will foster innovation in farming, attracting youth participation and increasing agricultural productivity and incomes,” Dr. Musyabimana affirmed.

With ENSURE, the EAC anticipates significant improvements in agricultural resilience, economic opportunities, and regional food stability.