On 29 January 2026, JOOUST joined Consortium Partners in Germany for the closing event of the FAMFISK project at Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences (HSWT). The project, titled Fostering Agricultural Machinery & Food Technology in Senegal & Kenya (FAMFISK), was funded by the Bavarian State Chancellery and Bavarian Machinery Ring Foundation has, since March 2024, strengthened agricultural mechanization and machinery ring systems through training, exchange, and practical innovation in Kenya and Senegal, reaching more than 800 participants.
FAMFISK is implemented by HSWT together with Bildungswerk der Bayerischen Wirtschaft gGmbH and the Maschinenring Foundation gGmbH, in partnership with the Université du Sine Saloum El-Hâdj Ibrahima NIASS and JOOUST, alongside Local Machinery Rings in both countries (Kenya and Senegal). The project links universities, vocational training, and farmers to build sustainable local capacity in machinery use, maintenance, and value chain optimization, contributing to SDGs 2, 4, and 8.
During the event, partners showcased practical outcomes including student exchanges, summer and winter school outcomes, internships, and partial qualification programmes in mechanization and machine maintenance. Notable student-led innovations at JOOUST Winter School training included: i) development of an Avian Guard Prototype against Bird menace in Kenya, Soil Testing Sensor; and Compost Manure Granulator. In Senegal a student -led innovation captured the development of interchangeable seed discs for seed drills, enabling farmers to plant crops such as maize, peanuts, millet, and sesame using one machine—an approach already tested successfully in Senegal with strong relevance for Kenyan machinery rings.
As important, through the project JOOUST has acquired seven (7) Modern Farm Machinery relevant for teaching, demonstrations and utilization by Students and Community members (i.e., Farmers). These include: i) Rotavator, ii) Three (3) Disc Plough, iii) Walking Tractor with 3 Detachments, iv) Chopper/Shredder, v) Sheller, vi) Fertilizer Spreader, and vii) Industrial Sunflower Processing Machine. The Bavarian Machinery Ring Foundation has also given a GREEN Light for the immediate expansion of Local Machinery Rings in Senegal and Kenya including the riparian Lake Victoria Economic Block Counties of: Siaya, Homa Bay, Kisumu, Busia, and Migori.
The closing event was part of a delegation visit from 26–30 January 2026, where JOOUST representatives Prof. Christopher Gor and Mr. Samuel Ohanga participated in evaluation workshops at HSWT and technical exchanges with the Maschinenring Foundation and HORSCH Maschinen GmbH. These engagements provided insights into advanced mechanization systems and machinery ring governance models that can be adapted to Kenyan contexts.
Through FAMFISK, JOOUST has strengthened its role as a hub for agricultural mechanization training, research, and community outreach. The partnerships, skills, and tested innovations developed under the project will continue to benefit students, staff, and farmers beyond the project period.
