1. 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

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Indigenous Solanaceae vegetables

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

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. Acknowledgement
MAKERERE
UNIVERSITY

13. Thank you Merci Asanteni