Agroecology Emerges as a Key Solution for Africa's Climate Resilience and Food Security Challenges

Strategic Insights -

In a bid to combat climate change and ensure food security in Africa, the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) has officially recognized agroecology as a strategic priority for food and nutrition security in the region. The approach, which integrates ecological and social principles into farming practices, has been endorsed by the EALA as a credible, science-based solution for addressing environmental degradation and poverty. According to Uwumukiza Francoise, the EALA legislator and chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture, Tourism and Natural Resources, agroecology reconnects people to their food and producers to consumers, making healthy food accessible to all consumers.

Key Takeaways:

  • EALA has officially recognized agroecology as a strategic priority for food and nutrition security in East Africa, with a focus on creating a future that values ecological integrity and the welfare of people.
  • The approach has been endorsed as a credible, science-based solution for addressing environmental degradation and poverty, and reconnects people to their food and producers to consumers.
  • EALA has initiated a joint network bringing together actors in agroecology, including civil society organizations, academia, FAO, the private sector, and representatives from member states.
  • The EALA-ATNR committee has started training legislators from member states, with the first training held in Kampala, Uganda, bringing together more than 20 parliamentarians from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan.
  • EALA has a department dealing with research, and has notified the research team to move a motion to officially recognize agroecology as a strategic practice to save people's health and the environment.
  • The private sector is interested in producing food with less chemicals, which are unhealthy to food and destroy soils, and EALA is working closely with the private sector for implementation of principles of agroecology.
  • Agroecology restores degraded soils, enhances water retention, and reduces dependency on synthetic inputs, and mitigates greenhouse gas emissions through carbon sequestration in agroecosystems.
  • EALA is supporting agroecology as a good practice for environmental protection and is pushing for a climate change bill.
  • EALA is committed to promoting agroecological enterprises, particularly those led by women and youth, to drive inclusive rural development.

Statistics:

  • More than 20 parliamentarians from 6 member states attended the first training held in Kampala, Uganda.
  • EALA has a department dealing with research and has notified the research team to move a motion on agroecology.
  • EALA is working closely with the Agriculture and Food Security Department at the East African Community (EAC) to ensure that no one is left behind.
  • Ecological organic agriculture is a rapidly growing sector in Africa, with strong links to economic and social-cultural development on the continent.

Sources:

  • UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)
  • East African Legislative Assembly (EALA)
  • Centre for Food and Adequate Living Rights
  • Climate Action
  • Report on challenges and opportunities in ecological agriculture.