EAGC, USAID in partnerhip to boost staple food value chains
- USAID granted the EAGC US$2M to strengthen the competitiveness of export-oriented staple food value chains in East Africa.
USAID has awarded the Eastern Africa Grain Council (EAGC) a three-year grant US$2 million to strengthen the competitiveness of export-oriented staple food value chains in East Africa. This was done through the American NGO’s Economic Recovery and Reform Activity (ERRA) program delivered by TradeMark Africa (TMA) with funding from Feed the Future.
Grain Council Executive Director, Mr. Gerald Masila sign the deal.
Through the five-year Economic Recovery and Reform Activity (ERRA) US$75 million program, USAID and TMA are driving transformative trade and investment reforms in the East and Horn of Africa to create jobs in the staple crops and textiles sectors, especially for women and youth. A core part of this is to increase the ability of grain producers to export both regionally and to the rest of the world.
The deal is aimed at boosting East Africa’s immense potential for food grain production and trade, while directly addressing the challenges of low production rates, poor post-harvest management, and climate pressures. The facility will also target removal of trade impediments and build grain exporters’ capacity in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda across export value chains such as Maize, Beans, Millet, Sorghum, and Rice.
TMA’s CEO, Mr. David Beer said: “This includes spearheading innovative strategies such as Grain Business Hubs, or G-Hubs. These are operated by farmers, who will leverage technology to improve grain quality and drive up trade,” said Mr. Beer.
A major impediment to grain trading across the region is businesses’ ability to comply with international standards. EAGC will support over 80 SMEs to successfully meet Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures -which regulate the health of animals and plants that are traded; and Standards Quality Infrastructure (SQI) requirements that govern quality, health and safety systems, and environmental conservation. These are critical to their ability to export.
EAGC Executive Director Gerald Masila expressed satisfaction that the partnership aligns with EAGC’s goalof facilitating structured, inclusive, and profitable grain trade. He highlighted the benefits for the sector, including access to agriculture-related financing, capacity building, and mentorship, leading to a commitment to Industry-Own Checks or Industry Self-Regulation.
Masila emphasized that the expected outcomes promise to transform lives and contribute significantly to regional economic prosperity.
He stated, “Our focus is on practical, impactful solutions. By fortifying grain business hubs and enhancing the capacities of SMEs, we are building a foundation for sustained growth. And the information hub will be instrumental in informed decision-making, driving policy changes that positively impact food security and trade dynamics.”
EAGC will also establish an information hub. This resource will help shape national and regional food balance sheets by providing real-time data and insights. The hub will create an enabling environment for implementing prioritized trade policies. In doing so, it catalyzes food security and reinforces East Africa’s strategic position in international trade.
