Skills for the future: FAMFISK presents results
The Bavarian-African FAMFISK project shows how international exchange strengthens the development of machinery rings in Senegal and Kenya. Over 800 participants benefited from the training courses and joint development projects. The closing event on 29 January at Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences highlighted their lasting impact.
At the closing event of the FAMFISK (Fostering Agricultural Machinery & Food Technology in Senegal & Kenya) project at Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences (HSWT), partners from Bavaria, Senegal and Kenya came together to present the joint project results and provide insights into the activities that had been implemented. FAMFISK is funded by the Bavarian State Chancellery and will run until February 2026.
Qualification and networks as key factors
The project was launched in March 2024 as a joint project between Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences (HSWT), Bildungswerk der Bayerischen Wirtschaft gGmbH and Maschinenring Foundation gGmbH (MRF). International partners include the Université du Sine Saloum El-Hâdj Ibrahima NIASS in Senegal, the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology in Kenya, and the machinery rings in Senegal and Kenya.
The aim of the project is to support the establishment of machinery rings in Senegal and Kenya through training and exchange formats and network building. There are currently around 300 machinery rings in Senegal and Kenya. The project focuses on close cooperation between universities and partners in the field to strengthen the link between vocational and higher education. The Bavarian stakeholders are pooling their expertise and creating synergies. The project makes an important contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals SDG 2 (zero hunger), SDG 4 (quality education) and SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth).
Presentation of key project activities and practical examples
The closing event was attended by guests from the Bavarian State Chancellery, ministries and research institutions, the Kenyan Embassy in Berlin, project partners and other institutions. The event offered the approximately 30 participants a comprehensive overview of the key project activities. Among other things, the summer and winter schools, partial qualification programmes on the topics of mechanisation/machine maintenance and value chain optimisation, student tandem formats, as well as internships and practical placements in close cooperation with the local machinery rings in Senegal and Kenya were presented.
One example of the implementation of a student project is the development of additional seed discs for an existing seed drill. This means that local farmers can now sow not only maize but also other crops – including peanuts, millet and sesame – with the same machine. The seed discs have already been successfully tested by farmers in Senegal.
Delegation visit from 26 to 30 January 2026
The closing event took place as part of a delegation visit by all project partners from 26 to 30 January 2026 at Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences. In addition to the closing event, the week-long visit included several technical meetings and exchange formats, including an evaluation workshop at HSWT and visits with technical exchanges at MRF and HORSCH Maschinen GmbH.
All project partners would like to express their sincere thanks to the Bavarian State Chancellery for the excellent cooperation and funding of the project.
All project activities were accompanied by intensive public relations work. Further insights into the project can be found on the project website: https://famfisk.maschinenring.de/en/
