NAIROBI, Kenya (PAMACC News) - Agroecology has been identified as one of the most important pathways to climate resilience and a transformative approach to sustainable food systems for the African continent.
In short, the approach integrates ecological and social principles into farming practices to address challenges like food security, environmental sustainability, and economic development.
The second Conference on Agroecology that was held in Nairobi last month demonstrated how agroecology was being used to offer sustainable farming solutions that create employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for young generation, thereby reducing rural-urban migration.
According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), agroecology reconnects people to their food and producers to consumers making healthy food accessible to all consumers and available for its use in healthy and sustainable diets.
And now, the East African Legislative Assembly has endorsed a resolution officially recognising agroecology as a strategic priority for formulating and recommending sustainable policies in agriculture, tourism, and natural resource management across the East African region
Hon Uwumukiza Françoise a Member of Parliament from the East African Legislative Assembly and Chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture, Tourism and Natural Resources (EALA-ATNR) explains why the farming practice in an exclusive interview with Climate Action.
Q: Does EALA recognize agroecology as a credible, science-based solution for food and nutrition security in East Africa?
Yes. In fact, the EALA, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), and support from the Centre for Food and Adequate Living Rights (CEFROHT) has endorsed a resolution officially recognising agroecology as a strategic priority for formulating and recommending sustainable policies in agriculture, tourism, and natural resource management across the East African region.
Through the EALA-ATNR committee, we have started building capacities of legislators from member states, where the first training was held recently in Kampala, Uganda bringing together 60 parliamentarians from Kenya Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi.
By embracing agroecology, we are committed to creating a future that values ecological integrity and the welfare of our people, with the aim to end hunger by 2030 as we promote the right to adequate food, leaving no one behind.
Q. What success stories or evidence can help position agroecology as a transformative pathway for resilient and sustainable food systems in the region?
There is overwhelming evidence that agroecology works, and that is why at this moment, we are focusing on implementation. Today, there exist several methodologies of nourishing the soil organically. As well, the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) for example, has collected so many cases from across Africa to showcase successes of agroecology. Besides, there are several organisations that advocate for indigenous seed, others are producing biofertilisers, biopesticides and organic soil conditioners.
However, there are other interests that are not happy that agroecology is succeeding and they are working hard to dilute the progress. If we support genetically modified food for example, we may end up having a lot of food that is not safe for health and livelihoods of our citizens.
Q. How can EALA collaborate with farmers, civil society, and research institutions to shape strong regional policies and legal frameworks that support agroecology?
EALA has already initiated a joint and broad network that brings together all the actors in agroecology, including civil society organisations, academia, the FAO, the private sector and representatives from member states. The main aim of this platform is to share experiences, emerging techniques, challenges and opportunities that can help create sustainable food systems for the continent
As the chair of EALA-ATNR, I subscribe to all agroecology networks and contacts on linkedln and other social media platforms. These powerful platforms have always helped me understand whatever is happening in the agroecology space. The emerging challenge I have learned is that farmers across the continent are eager to join the agroecology movement, but there is lack of sufficient information. It means that there is need for more capacity building at all levels.
Q. Can EALA support greater investment in research and development of agroecological innovations—especially bio-inputs like biofertilisers and biostimulants—as alternatives to synthetic agrochemicals?
At the EALA-ATNR committee, we have a department dealing with research. We have already notified the research team that during the next plenary, we will be moving a motion seeking to have agroecology officially recognised as a strategic practice to save people’s health and the environment.
Once the law is passed, it will become the official gateway for the East African Community (EAC) to support agriecological innovations, and even call on member countries to work towards subsidising organic farm inputs and supporting indigenous seed systems.
So far, there is a high political will and we should soon come up with a policy that can harmonise agroecology practices from all member states. We need to look at the already existing policies and strategies to come up with a concrete direction that will help implementation of principles of agroecology.
We will also be working with the private sector because they are also interested in producing food without use of harmful chemicals.
We are as well working closely with the department of Agriculture and Food Security Department at the EAC to ensure that no one is left behind.
Q. How can agroecology be positioned within EALA’s agenda as a practical strategy for climate resilience and low-carbon agriculture in the EAC?
When you mention agroecology, it means you are talking about climate resilience and environment conservation. This is because if we restore the soils that have been depleted or damaged by climate change, then we will be talking of agroecology as a driver for climate change mitigation and adaptation.
At EALA level, we have a forum on climate change, and we are supporting agroecology as a good practice for environmental protection. We are also pushing for a climate change bill, and we are calling on different actors to support us as we plan to table it as a private bill.
Q. What specific commitments is EALA willing to make to embed agroecology in regional food systems strategies and support the implementation of the Healthy Soil, Healthy Food initiative?
Agroecology in itself is healthy. So if we support agroecology, it means that we are supporting healthy foods and healthy outcomes. We need a healthy population to produce healthy food. And if the soils are contaminated with chemicals, then we cannot guarantee healthy food. So our commitment is by supporting a legal framework to support agroecology.
