Activities facilitated
1
Facilitated partnerships with public and private sector - backed by MOUs
Kaizen Top Mark contracted by Syngenta Foundation East Africa (SFEA) and the Nutrition in City Ecosystems (NICE) Project facilitated partnerships with private and public sector entities, national and county governments. The partnership engagements, seven of them backed by Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) resulted in collaborative initiatives between public and private sector entities.
2
​Facilitated private seed companies to access KALRO crop varieties for commercial seed production and payment of royalties
Kaizen Top Mark contracted by SFEA has undertaken the following: i) Facilitated five seed companies to access Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) crop varieties for commercial seed production with payment of royalties. ii) Facilitated farmer applications for use of KALRO seed merchant license for commercial seed production.
3
Facilitated establishment of County Food Systems Platforms
Kaizen Top Mark contracted by the NICE project facilitated establishment of inclusive County Food Systems Platforms in the counties of Busia (12 Apr 2023) and Bungoma (13 Apr 2023) in Western Kenya to improve health and nutrition and contribute to poverty reduction by increasing demand and supply of local, diverse, and agro-ecologically produced food.
4
Facilitated high-level meeting with senior policy makers on prioritization of county
policy instruments
Kaizen Top Mark contracted by the NICE project facilitated a high-level meeting of senior policymakers from Bungoma & Busia counties and the National government, 17th May 2023 on development, prioritization, and harmonization of enabling policy instruments critical for achievement of the NICE project outcomes.
5
Facilitated high level multi-sectorial forum of senior policy makers for update on NICE project
Kaizen Top Mark contracted by the NICE project facilitated a high level multi-sectorial forum of senior policy makers from Bungoma & Busia counties, the National government, and private sector on 14 th Feb. 2024, for update on the NICE project activities for their information, input, and suggestions on the way forward.
6
Facilitated introduction of KALRO Seeds Directorate to the NYS Farm for access to
certified seed multiplication under contract
Kaizen Top Mark representing Syngenta Foundation East Africa facilitated an Introduction of the Kenya Agricultural Livestock and Research Organization (KALRO) Seeds Directorate to Kenya’s National Youth Service (NYS) Farm at Yatta, Machakos County 27 th Aug. 2022. This was meant to enable KALRO contract NYS Yatta farm for certified seed multiplication
7
Facilitated International Potato Group to appeal to the National Variety Release Committee for review of new potato varieties
Kaizen Top Mark successfully facilitated the International Potato Group application for appeal to the National Variety Release Committee for review of Maverick and Buffalo potato varieties as table market varieties.
8
Participated in the Regional consultation on CAADP 4th Biennial Review Performance of IGAD member states and charted the way toward, preceding the post-Malabo Kampala declaration scheduled for 11th January 2025.
Kaizen Top Mark representing Syngenta Foundation East Africa at ASNET participated in the Regional consultation on CAADP 4th Biennial Review report 20-22 August, 2024, Entebbe, Uganda; where the performance of IGAD Member states was discussed and charted the way forward preceding the post-Malabo Kampala declaration scheduled for 11th January 2025.
10
Participated in a High-level Multi-stakeholder Forum hosted by the Co-operative Bank in partnership with the Public Benefits Organisations (PBO) Regulatory Authority
Kaizen Top Mark participated in the High-level Multi-stakeholder Forum themed ‘Collaborative Approach to Transforming our Community ‘ hosted by the Co-operative Bank in partnership with the Public Benefits Organisations (PBO) Regulatory Authority – 4th October 2024.
11
​Participated in the Validation of IGAD’s Regional Food and Nutrition Security Strategy (2025-2034)
Kaizen Top Mark representing ASNET participated at the Validation Meeting of Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)’s Regional Food and Nutrition Security Strategy (2025-2034), 25-26 October 2024, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
9
​Participated in Kenya’s 4th National Agriculture Summit 2024
Kaizen Top Mark represented Sustainable Agriculture Foundation - Africa (SAF-A), and also as ASNET Board Member participated at the 4th National Agriculture Summit hosted by ASNET and Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development. The Theme of the Summit was ‘ Embracing Sustainability: Innovations, Research, and Competitiveness in Agriculture’ – 1-2 October 2024, Nairobi
12
​Facilitated panel discussion on the ‘Policy Environment for Seed Trade’ at the Seed Trade Association of Kenya (STAK) Congress & Expo 2024.
Kaizen Top Mark moderated a panel discussion on the Policy Environment for Seed Trade at the Seed Trade Association of Kenya (STAK) Congress & Expo 2024 on 6-7 November 2024. The theme of the Congress was ‘Leveraging Agricultural technologies that strengthen agricultural resilience and Climate smart seed systems’.