The Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) took part in the Joint Results Review (JRR) meeting held in Jimma from March 10–13, 2025, where it highlighted its contributions to the AGRA-funded project, Fostering sustainable farming practices and production technologies for improved soybean productivity, resilience and income of smallholder farmers in Jimma and Bunno-Bedele Zones of Oromia Region, Ethiopia (SoPRI).

The event that brought together over 50 stakeholders—including policymakers, researchers, agribusiness leaders, financial experts, and farmers—was organized by AGRA to assess the progress and shape the future of wheat and soybean projects.

Convened as part of the BRES and SoyLink Consortiums’ initiatives including SoPRI, the JRR was led by AGRA Ethiopia in collaboration with implementing partners including SAA. The Wheat-BRES Consortium comprises Farm Africa, Lersha, and PxD, while the SoyLink Consortium includes SAA, Lersha, and FRI. The discussions emphasized translating project insights into practical and scalable solutions to improve farmers’ livelihoods.

In his opening, AGRA Ethiopia Country Director Dr. Yihenew Zewdie, set the tone for the meeting with a powerful call to action.  "The JRR is not just about reviewing figures,” he emphasized, “it is about transforming insights into real-world tangible solutions that benefit the people who grow our food.”

Dr. Yihenew Zewdie delivering his opening remarks

Throughout the sessions, partners engaged in project reviews, thematic discussions and field visits. Key topics included seed systems, market development, green jobs, youth engagement, climate resilience, policy advocacy and sustainable farming practices—all designed to drive innovation and impact in the agricultural sector.

Participants visited the soya bean seed multiplication site, Jimma Farmers’ Cooperative Union and Jimma Agricultural Research Center, where they observed efforts to enhance farmers’ access to markets and finance. These visits provided valuable insights into how local initiatives are addressing systemic challenges and enhancing farmer productivity and resilience.

SAA’s presentation detailed progress under the SoPRI project, underscoring its commitment to improving soybean productivity through regenerative agriculture practices, capacity building, and market linkages.