Partnering for success: Uganda Consortium Experience of multi-stakeholder engagement in the African Indigenous Vegetable research Kasharu A.K., P.K. Kabod, J. N. Jagwe, P. M. Nampala, M. Masanza, D. Rees and E.B. Kizito

Background In Uganda, malnutrition especially in children <5 years accounts for 38% (UBOS, 2017) Increased consumption of fruits/ vegetables is a key component of a healthy diet for the prevention of chronic diseases/ normal growth in children Africa is home to many indigenous fruits/ vegetables which can be used as part of the solution to nutrition deficiencies.

Background Afrisol – a consortium of stakeholders with interest in African Indigenous vegetables 2012 -Interface between RUFORUM and Afrisol Shared vision of building capacity in research Responsive to the demands of Africa’s farmers for innovations and able to generate sustainable livelihoods and national economic development.

Indigenous Solanaceae vegetables

Project Title Enhancing nutrition security and incomes through adding value to indigenous vegetables in East and Central Uganda.

Key Result areas Varieties of indigenous vegetables with longer shelf life and processing potential identified and profiled. Appropriate processing and handling mechanisms/technologies for indigenous vegetables adopted. Appropriate delivery pathways of value-added indigenous vegetables established. Information sharing mechanisms on utilization of indigenous vegetables established.

Partners involvement MAAIF UCU CHAIN UG FARMGAIN NRI AVRDC CABI Media Schools CARITAS Humid Tropics/ IITA Farmers organisations Local Governments KCCA Market Vendors/ Businesses Makerere University MAAIF

Successes PAEPARD has raised awareness on the importance of AIVs Opportunities have arisen for networking to raise capital Farmers have been empowered at several levels especially business The project has raised the profiles of the partners Training of farmers/ students

Challenges Level of participation is quite varied. Short time for implementation of activities Some agents/ agencies have different expectations. Conflict in authority levels and reporting patterns make it hard to implement a project Dealing with the loss of a key partner Capacity of dealing with intellectual property

Sustainability Integration of vegetable outputs in teaching and learning Emerging indigenous seed businesses Some farmer groups have now become service providers (TOT) UCU is developing as a centre of excellence in vegetable research New partnerships forming- MAAIF, KCCA Process of initiating IP issues at various levels

Lessons learnt Budget for building multi-stakeholder partnerships Implementing team must be multidisciplinary. Involvement of local leadership. Supervision and follow up at all levels must be timely e.g. Monthly and quarterly meetings Consortium agreements must specify clear roles and conditions expected of each partner. A communication strategy is necessary early on Knowledge management systems must be prioritized A participatory process in research is rewarding

Acknowledgement MAKERERE UNIVERSITY

Thank you Merci Asanteni