Dates: 12th and 13th June 2025 Venue: Kamiigua Polytechnic, Kirinyaga County, Kenya Theme:“Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Agroecology in East Africa”
As part of the 2025 Kirinyaga Agroecology Symposium, a dynamic exhibition space will be available to showcase innovative agroecological solutions and practices. This platform invites a wide range of participants—including farmers, input suppliers, traders, researchers, policymakers, CSOs, NGOs, INGOs, and learning institutions—to present their contributions to sustainable agriculture in East Africa.
Exhibition Highlights:
Strictly Organic: Only certified organic or agroecological compliant products and inputs will be showcased.
Brand Visibility: Exhibitors are welcome to fully brand their booths with their own promotional materials.
Sales Permitted: Exhibitors may sell their products directly to symposium delegates.
Live Demonstrations and Workshops: Input suppliers and service providers are encouraged to offer live demonstrations, lead workshops, and present technical insights on sustainable inputs, technologies, and innovations.
Educational Engagement: Participants may join expert panels, share success stories, and offer technical knowledge aligned with agroecological principles.
Networking Opportunities: The symposium will facilitate partnerships and collaborations among stakeholders advancing sustainable agriculture.
This exhibition is a unique opportunity to connect with key players in the agroecology ecosystem, promote sustainable solutions, and contribute to regional development goals.
Bringing Agroecology to the Forefront of Agricultural Transformation
The countdown is on to one of the most anticipated agricultural events in East Africa — the Kirinyaga Agroecology Symposium 2025. Jointly organized by the Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN) and the County Government of Kirinyaga, the symposium will bring together thought leaders, farmers, researchers, and policymakers to reimagine sustainable farming through the lens of agroecology.Over two days, participants will explore how agroecology can address pressing agricultural challenges while offering practical, inclusive, and innovative solutions tailored for the region.
📅 Date: 12th and 13th June 2025
📍 Venue: Kamiigua Polytechnic, Kirinyaga County, Kenya
🎯 Theme: “Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Agroecology in East Africa”
Why this Symposium Matters
Across East Africa, farmers are navigating complex issues like climate change, soil degradation, pest outbreaks, and limited market access. The Kirinyaga Agroecology Symposium is designed to provide practical responses to these challenges by promoting science-backed, nature-based solutions rooted in agroecology. The event is more than a conference — it’s a platform for change, for exchanging knowledge, forging partnerships, and igniting action.
Key Objectives
Knowledge Sharing: Present the latest research, techniques, and agroecological innovations.
Market Access and Value Addition – Demystifying certification, connecting farmers to markets, and promoting value-added agroecological products.
Leveraging Opportunities for Farmers
Agroecology isn’t just about farming — it’s about empowerment. The symposium will provide:
Hands-on workshops and training sessions
Opportunities to network with policymakers and investors
Access to innovative agroecological inputs
Insights into supportive policy frameworks
Who Should Attend?
Farmers & Farmer Groups – Discover innovative pest, soil, and crop solutions
Extension Officers & Practitioners – Gain digital tools and field support strategies
Researchers & Academics – Present or learn about climate-resilient farming studies
Agro Dealers – Explore the booming market for eco-friendly agri-inputs
Policymakers & County Officials – Shape policies aligned with sustainable farming
NGOs & Development Partners – Identify scalable, community-based solutions
Traders & Retailers – Learn how to build markets for organic and agroecological produce
Women & Youth in Agriculture – Participate in targeted sessions to showcase their leadership and innovations.
Partnerships That Power Change
The symposium draws strength from a diverse and dynamic pool of partners, including:
County Government
Academic Institutions
NGOs
Corporate Partners
Agroecology Input Suppliers: The Unsung Heroes
A dedicated exhibition zone will allow agroecology input suppliers to showcase sustainable products like organic compost, bio-fertilizers, pest repellents, and soil enhancers. Live demos, expert panels, and networking sessions will help bridge the gap between innovation and implementation.
What to Expect
Day 1:
✅ Opening Ceremony
✅ Plenary Sessions & Keynote Speeches
✅ Case Study Presentations
✅ Thematic Sessions
✅ Networking Lunch & Evening Reception
Day 2:
✅ Thematic Sessions
✅ Hands-On Workshops
✅ Strategy Development Working Groups
✅ Closing Ceremony with Action Plan Presentations
By the end of the two-day event, participants will walk away with practical tools, policy recommendations, and new partnerships to drive agroecological transformation not just in Kirinyaga — but across East Africa.
https://www.koan.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Kenya-National-PGS-Workshop-scaled.jpg17092560Adminhttps://www.koan.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/koan-LOGO.pngAdmin2025-05-05 12:33:512025-05-14 15:34:47Kirinyaga Agroecology Symposium 2025: Innovative Solutions for a Sustainable East Africa
In a region where organic agriculture is gaining momentum, a strong, recognizable, and credible identity is essential. That’s why the Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN) is proud to present the Kilimohai Organic Brand Book — a landmark document that brings structure and clarity to how we communicate and uphold the Kilimohai Organic mark across East Africa.
The Kilimohai Organic mark is more than just a label — it’s a symbol of trust, health, sustainability, and regional unity. Developed under the framework of the East African Organic Products Standard (EAOPS), this Brand Book provides a detailed roadmap for stakeholders across the organic value chain. From certification bodies and PGS groups to traders, processors, and support organizations, this guide ensures that the Kilimohai mark is used consistently, transparently, and in line with organic standards.
Inside the Brand Book, you’ll find:
Clear certification and licensing guidance for both third-party and PGS systems
Guidelines on the use of the Kilimohai mark, including visual identity, licensing agreements, and usage rules
Operational procedures such as inspection protocols, forms, templates, and manuals for smooth coordination
Tools and governance structures including fee schedules, registration tools, and JMC rules
Alignment with EAOPS ensuring regional consistency and credibility
By harmonizing how we present and manage the Kilimohai Organic identity, this Brand Book builds a foundation for greater consumer confidence, improved market access, and stronger collaboration among organic actors in East Africa.
As the organic sector continues to grow, this Brand Book will serve as a reference point and resource for everyone working to promote safe, organic food and sustainable farming.
👉 Access the Kilimohai Organic Brand Book here: https://www.koan.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Kilimohai-Organic-Brand-Book_KOAN.pdf
Let’s grow the Kilimohai Organic movement together — rooted in integrity, driven by standards, and united by a shared vision.
The 2nd Eastern Africa Agroecology Conference is set to take place from 25th – 28th March 2025 at the Argyle Grand Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya. This landmark event will bring together key stakeholders to explore the transformative power of agroecology in fostering resilient and sustainable agri-food systems.
Why Attend?
This conference is a unique platform to engage in meaningful discussions on the role of agroecology in reshaping food systems for long-term sustainability. Attendees will gain insights into innovative approached, investment opportunities, and policies that support agroecological transitions. The event will feature in-person sessions, field excursion, and hybrid participation options for online attendees.
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Conference Theme:
“Strengthening Agri-Food System Transformation for Resilience, Sustainability, and Socioeconomic Development.”
Key Focus Areas
Evidence Generation: Understanding the impact of agroecology in food system transformation.
Scaling Up Transitions: Strategies for expanding agroecological practices.
Digitalization in Agri-Food Systems: Exploring the role of technology in sustainable agriculture.
Investment in Research and Innovation: Encouraging funding for agroecology.
Trade and Market Opportunities: Enhancing economic prospects for small-scale farmers.
Inclusive Engagement: Ensuring participation from small-scale producers, indigenous communities, women, youth, and private sector players.
Conference Tracks
Agroecological Systems & Scale-Up Strategies
Food Security, Nutrition, and Health Nexus
Women and Youth Empowerment in Agroecology
Market Development & Trade
Policy Reforms & Agroecology Investments
Financing for Impact and Scale
Register Now!
Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the movement driving sustainable food systems transformation in Eastern Africa. Register today to secure your spot and contribute to shaping a resilient future.
For more details and registration, visit the official conference website: https://ea-agroecologyconference.org/
https://www.koan.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2nd-EA-Agroecology-Conference-scaled.jpg17072560Adminhttps://www.koan.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/koan-LOGO.pngAdmin2025-02-25 19:54:032025-05-14 12:56:34Register for the 2nd Eastern Africa Agroecology Conference!
The 8th edition of the Africa Agri Expo(AAE) is here and we are thrilled to announce that the Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN) is a supporting partner! Organized by the TAB Group under the patronage of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development. This is a cornerstone event in Africa’s agricultural landscape. As Africa’s premier agribusiness platform, this event brings together industry leaders, innovators, and professionals to explore new opportunities and drive growth in the agricultural sector.
This is your chance to connect, learn, and discover the latest trends shaping the future of agribusiness in Africa. Whether you’re a farmer, agripreneur, investor, or policymaker, AAE 2025 offers a dynamic space to network, engage with cutting-edge solutions, and expand your reach in the market.
Visit Our Booth E214! Visit our booth to connect with three certified organic input suppliers:Juanco SPS, Organic Fields, and Organix Limited. Explore their innovative solutions for sustainable farming. Join us for two days of insightful discussions, networking, and industry innovations. Discover how organic and agroecological solutions are shaping the future of organic agriculture.
Date: 19th-20th February 2025 Venue: KICC Convention Centre, Nairobi, Kenya Time: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Register Now to Secure Your Spot here: https://www.africa-agriexpo.com/registration.html
Don’t miss out—sign up today and be part of this transformative event!
https://www.koan.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/AAE-2025_Email-Signature-KOAN.jpg311739Adminhttps://www.koan.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/koan-LOGO.pngAdmin2025-01-14 20:44:022025-02-26 15:57:33Join us at the 8th Africa Agri Expo – Where Innovation Meets Opportunity!
We are excited to announce new job openings at the Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN). We are looking for high-caliber, self-motivated, and dedicated individuals to join our team and help drive our mission forward. The positions listed below are based at KOAN’s main office in Nairobi, Kenya.
Click on the job title to view the detailed job advertisement:
https://www.koan.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Koan-Job-Opportunities-Advert-1.jpg22451587Adminhttps://www.koan.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/koan-LOGO.pngAdmin2024-09-16 18:42:392024-09-19 13:43:09Join Our Team: Exciting Career Opportunities at KOAN!
The Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN), a national business membership organization coordinating the organic agriculture sector in Kenya, is pleased to announce an Organic Inspectors Training from 2nd to 4th October 2024 at Rainbow Ruiru Resort. This training will focus on key updates and skills required in organic certification, specifically:
Implementation of the new EU Regulation 848/2018 group certification schemes.
Adapting to changes in production rules under the new EU Regulation 848/2018.
Implementing processing, handling, and labeling changes in line with the new EU regulations.
Adjusting to changes in the NOP USDA and adapting them to organic projects.
Conducting witnessed audits.
The training will combine both theoretical and practical sessions, with 2.5 days dedicated to classroom-based learning and a half-day for practical fieldwork, including a witnessed audit.
How to Apply: Secure your slot by filling out this link https://bit.ly/OrganicInspectorsTraining. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis and will close once all slots are filled. The deadline for registration is COB 25th September 2024.
This training is ideal for:
Field officers working in organic projects
Organic internal inspectors with certified operations or on freelance assignments
ICS managers
Field extension workers in NGOs, private organizations, or county governments
Costs:
Kshs. 45,000 for participants requiring accommodation (includes conference, accommodation, and training).
Kshs. 30,000 for day scholars.
Sponsorship Opportunities:
A limited number of full sponsorship slots are available. Sponsorship opportunities are available for:
KOAN paid-up members; or
Organizations that register 5 participants will receive sponsorship for 2 participants, and those registering 3 participants will have 1 participant sponsored.
To express interest in sponsorship, please contact Samuel Ndungu via email ndungus@koan.co.ke
https://www.koan.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Organic-Inspectors-Training-Poster-1_v3.jpg20001414Adminhttps://www.koan.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/koan-LOGO.pngAdmin2024-09-09 13:36:182024-09-09 13:40:15Organic Inspectors Training
Unlike the “Third Party Certification” approach, which relies on external inspection bodies, the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) represents an alternative assurance system. PGS involves internal procedures that are less rigorous and less costly, making it particularly suitable for local farming setups comprising groups of farmers, buyers or consumers, and stakeholders. PGS enables consumers, farmers, and all participants in the value chain to establish an “organic guarantee” system built upon principles of transparency and trust. This system empowers smallholder farmers working in groups to cultivate and market organic agricultural produce, while consumers gain access to safe products and become actively engaged in the agricultural process.
In Kenya, the adoption of the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) has witnessed ongoing growth, with 25 groups currently registered and approved by KOAN. As the custodian of the East African Organic Products Standards, KOAN establishes the regulations governing PGS in Kenya. Furthermore, there has been a notable increase in the demand for organic products. As consumer interest in organic food production continues to surge, it becomes imperative to expand the supply of organic products. Numerous farmer groups across the country have received training in organic farming and collaborate with NGOs and CBOs. However, these groups encounter challenges in accessing organic markets due to the absence of a formal guarantee system.
On 8th June 2023, KOAN conducted its inaugural virtual training on Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) Training of Trainers (ToT). The primary objective of the training was to enhance and strengthen the skills necessary for effectively implementing and auditing PGS groups, thereby facilitating the growth of PGS in Kenya. The training aimed to establish a group of accredited PGS Trainers of Trainers (TOTs) and Assessors who would play a pivotal role in expanding the number of PGS groups across the country. By doing so, the training sought to augment the range, assortment, and seasonal availability of organic products in the market, originating from PGS groups. This training attracted a diverse group of over 30 participants who already possess experience in working with farmers’ groups and providing training on organic farming practices. The participants were carefully chosen from various regions across Kenya, where organic farming is practiced, and were selected from both KOAN members and partner organizations, including PELUM Kenya and Biovision Africa Trust.
During this initial stage of the training, participants were required to complete a pre-training form aimed at assessing their existing knowledge, skills, and pertinent working information. Subsequently, the participants attended the inaugural training webinar, which focused on the formulation of a PGS development plan. This training provided participants with the necessary tools to gather information and develop an initial draft of the development plan. Stay connected with us via social media channels for updates regarding the upcoming steps, during which the participants will present and further refine the draft development plan in a face-to-face training. This comprehensive training program will involve three days of classroom sessions and a one-day experiential learning opportunity in the field.
If you require further information about the training or wish to register your group for PGS, please get in touch with Samuel Ndungu via email ndungus@koan.co.ke
https://www.koan.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Inputs-1-of-4.jpg11251688Adminhttps://www.koan.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/koan-LOGO.pngAdmin2023-06-22 09:33:512023-06-22 10:45:07Inaugural Participatory Guarantee System Training of Trainers held by KOAN.
Furthermore, Greenspoon is actively pursuing additional certified organic suppliers. Their dedication to promoting organic practices means they are actively seeking collaborations with certified farms and processors. This creates a valuable opportunity for you as well as the farmers you certify.
We would appreciate your support in providing us with a comprehensive list of your certified farms, including their details and the dates of their most recent certification audits. Through our collaboration with Greenspoon, we aim to collectively strengthen the Kilimohai certification process and encourage more farms and processors in Kenya to pursue organic certification.
Furthermore, if you have farms that hold certifications under other well recognized organic standards such as USDA Organic, National Organic Program (NOP), European Union (EU) organic certification, Japanese Agricultural Organic Standard (JAS), or China Organic Standards, we kindly request your assistance in facilitating their connection with us. Your support in this matter would be greatly appreciated.
To streamline this process, we would appreciate it if you could pass on our contact details to your certified farms. This will enable us to directly communicate with them. Our team is eager to furnish them with additional information regarding the partnership and guide them on becoming suppliers for Greenspoon Supermarket.
We are excited about this opportunity to strengthen Kilimohai Organic certification and expand the presence of certified organic products in Kenya. Your collaboration and support play an integral role in achieving our shared goals. Visit https://kilimohaikenya.org/all-shop-store/ to redeem your 10% coupon discount and check out other participating outlets.
We sincerely appreciate your forthcoming assistance. If you have any inquiries or need additional information, please feel free to contact Martin Njoroge, Programmes Officer via martin@koan.co.ke or +254 725 295 437 without hesitation. We eagerly anticipate working hand in hand and creating a beneficial influence on the organic industry in Kenya.
https://www.koan.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/DSC_0563-scaled.jpg17022560Adminhttps://www.koan.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/koan-LOGO.pngAdmin2023-06-12 13:29:242023-06-23 09:44:11KOAN and Greenspoon Supermarket join forces to promote Certified Organic Products in Kenya
Mary took on the responsibility of representing our team at the highly anticipated Project Inception and Kickoff Meeting for the Integrated Sustainable Production of Tomatoes (ISPOT) in Kenya Phase II. The meeting was held on the 30th and 31st of May 2023 at the Mara Frontier Hotel in Narok, Kenya.
This pivotal gathering served as the foundation for the implementation of the ISPOT Phase II project in two counties, namely Kirinyaga and Narok. The primary objective of the meeting was to unite stakeholders and foster a shared understanding of the project’s scope, timeline, and respective roles.
By attending this meeting, Mary played a crucial role in establishing a strong starting point for the ISPOT Phase II project. Her presence ensured that our team’s voice was heard and that our interests were represented among the diverse group of stakeholders present.
Photo by Waldemar on Unsplash
The two-day event provided an opportunity for stakeholders to align their perspectives, discuss project details, and forge a common vision for the successful execution of the ISPOT Phase II initiative. Through active participation and insightful contributions, Mary helped to facilitate effective communication and collaboration among all involved parties.
As the meeting drew to a close, it became evident that the shared understanding achieved during this gathering would serve as a solid foundation for the subsequent stages of the project. With a clear project scope, well-defined timeline, and clearly established roles for each stakeholder, the ISPOT Phase II project is poised for a successful implementation in Kirinyaga and Narok counties.
Mary’s dedicated representation during the Project Inception and Kickoff Meeting contributed significantly to the collective effort of ensuring a smooth and coordinated start to the ISPOT Phase II project. Her involvement exemplified our team’s commitment to the project’s success and set the stage for fruitful collaboration with all stakeholders involved.
Overall, the meeting was a crucial milestone in the ISPOT Phase II project, bringing together key players and laying the groundwork for a harmonious and efficient project implementation process.
https://www.koan.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/tomatoes-3702925_960_720.jpg640960Adminhttps://www.koan.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/koan-LOGO.pngAdmin2023-06-06 12:37:572023-07-03 16:37:19Commencement and Launch Meeting for the Integrated Sustainable Production of Tomatoes (ISPOT) in Kenya Phase II
