Pioneering Sustainable Food Systems: KOAN Calls for Experts to Develop the Kenya Agroecology Assessment Tool (KAAT)

Kenya’s agricultural landscape is evolving rapidly. With the 2024 launch of the National Agroecology Strategy for Food Systems Transformation (NAS–FST), agroecology—blending ecological principles with social, economic, and cultural factors—is gaining momentum. Yet, a critical gap remains: no harmonized system exists to verify and market agroecological (AE) products, eroding consumer trust and farmer opportunities.

Enter the Kenya Agroecology Assessment Tool (KAAT), a game-changer KOAN is developing under the KA4S project (Kilimo Hai Agroecology for Schools). Funded by The Rockefeller Foundation and implemented with Practical Action and FiBL, this initiative pilots in Murang’a County from August 2025 to January 2028. KAAT will adapt global tools like FAO’s TAPE (for performance evaluation) and Biovision’s F-ACT (farmer-focused) into a single, PGS-friendly framework. It powers the new Kilimohai Blue Mark, enabling peer-assessed certification for farms, landscapes, and value chains—linking 800+ farmers (especially women and marginalized groups) to schools, markets, and beyond.

Why KAAT Matters

• Builds Trust: Ensures Agroecology products meet Kenya-specific standards for production, marketing, and consumption.

• Boosts Livelihoods: Integrates PGS for traceability, school feeding programs, and mainstream markets.

• Drives Policy: Generates evidence for national scale-up via Participatory Market Chain Approach (PMCA).

The Consultancy Opportunity

KOAN seeks experienced consultants (individuals or firms) for a 10-week assignment:

• Analyze TAPE/F-ACT against Kenyan contexts.

• Engage stakeholders (farmers, government, traders) via workshops and pilots.

• Deliver KAAT prototype, user manual, training materials, and a validation workshop.

Ideal Profile: Advanced degree in agroecology/agriculture; 7+ years in assessment tools; TAPE/F-ACT expertise; participatory facilitation skills.

Download the full Terms of Reference here and submit your expression of interest to procurement@koan.co.ke with a copy to Eustace ekiarii@koan.co.ke by 31st December 2025.

Help shape Kenya’s agroecological future!

Stay tuned for updates on KA4S and join KOAN’s network for capacity building and market linkages.