By Abbas Nazil
The EU-funded PrAEctiCe project is advancing sustainable and resilient agricultural practices among smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on East Africa and expanding commercialisation efforts in Nigeria.
The project has developed a decision support tool (DST) designed to provide farmers with real-time monitoring and analysis of critical parameters including soil quality, water conditions, and crop health, enabling them to make informed decisions to improve productivity and sustainability.
PrAEctiCe has concentrated its work in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, helping local farming communities adopt agro-ecological practices that address threats such as climate change, food insecurity, and biodiversity loss.
The DST is expected to facilitate the agro-ecological transition by introducing ecological principles and innovative management approaches tailored to the region, promoting sustainable farming practices that enhance resilience against environmental stresses.
In Nigeria, the project’s commercialisation is being undertaken by local partner Apodissi, which is collaborating with digital innovation hubs, cooperatives, farmers’ associations, and chambers of commerce to broaden awareness and adoption of the tool across the country.
At a recent workshop in Lagos, Nigeria, experts discussed the country’s severe food insecurity challenges and the need to adopt innovative agricultural solutions to meet future population growth projected to reach 400 million by 2050.
Oyebola Olusegun from the University of Ibadan highlighted that without transformative practices, Nigeria will struggle to achieve food security goals and meet domestic and industrial agricultural demands.
PrAEctiCe employs living labs in Ibadan to trial circular agri-food technologies, co-creation activities, biofertiliser production, and healthy food systems, providing practical examples of sustainable agriculture for smallholder farmers.
Apodissi Managing Director Margherita Trestini explained that the DST, currently at Technology Readiness Level 7 and aiming for TRL 8 by early 2026, will deliver actionable insights to farmers through a mobile application, ensuring timely interventions and management of emerging challenges.
The project also signed a memorandum of understanding with CaReFoAfrica, another EU-supported initiative, to develop training curricula and combine resources to educate students, extension workers, and farmers on climate-smart and agro-ecological practices, as well as value chain development.
PrAEctiCe seeks to improve food security, promote climate resilience, and strengthen sustainable agriculture across the continent, offering innovative solutions for smallholder farmers to enhance productivity while protecting the environment.
Through the integration of digital tools, field-based experiments, and collaborative training programs, the project is empowering farmers with knowledge, technology, and resources to adopt environmentally sustainable practices.
By fostering adoption of circular and regenerative practices, PrAEctiCe aims to create scalable models for resilient agriculture in Africa, supporting both local livelihoods and broader sustainable development goals.
The project demonstrates the potential of EU-funded research to address pressing agricultural and environmental challenges, providing practical, data-driven solutions for smallholder farmers across the continent while contributing to long-term food security and ecological stability.
