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Agroecology – a path to the future of food systems

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http://www.fao.org/africa/events/detail-events/en/c/330741/ Presentation of Million Belay, Alliance for food sovereignty in Africa, describing change of path ways for the future of agroecology. The presentation was prepared and delivered in occasion of the Regional Symposium on Agroecology in sub-Saharan Africa, held in Dakar, Senegal on 5-6 November 2015. © FAO: http://www.fao.org

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Agroecology – a path to the future of food systems Million Belay (PhD) Director – MELCA – Ethiopia Coordinator – AFSA Panel member - IPES FOOD November 2015
My view is shaped by • MELCA – Ethiopia – a local NGO working with farmers. • Alliance for the food sovereignty of Africa (AFSA). Network of networks, African voice, produced case studies and statement for this meeting. • International Panel of Experts on the Sustainability of Food Systems (IPES-Food) – looking at food systems– systems wide approach, combination of different forms of knowledge and analysis of science + power relationships and political economy of food systems.
Narrative of Industrial/ High input agriculture • To feed the world – Focusing on production • Using agrochemicals • Bringing High Yielding Varieties • Using irrigation • Focusing on high end technology (Genetic engineering) • Agribuisness – market led agriculture – Training farmers new techniques – knowledge substitution
What are the results so far • Not sustainable at all – Environmental degradation – pollution and biodiversity loss – Climate change – Social crisis – Impoverishment of people. – Land grabbing – Cultural erosion – knowledge erosion – Crisis in Non Communicable Diseases – non nutritious food – Disempowering women • Political and economic domination by the West and TNC
Need for a new narrative • Food sovereignty – food system socially empowering, culturally appropriate, environmentally responsible and economically under the control of the food producers. • Agroecology – an umbrella for – Practitioners – Scientists – Activists
Change path ways Mainstream agroecology in regional and national agriculture policies, plans and programmes;
Change path ways • Support community-based seed systems • Give much greater recognition to indigenous knowledge and innovation • Incorporate agroecology in extension service provision, and strengthen the practice of farmer-to-farmer learning
Change path ways Raise awareness among consumers of the nutritional benefits of agroecology.
Change path ways Bring agroecology into all levels of education, especially tertiary, in collaboration with universities and colleges
Change path ways Support the on-going development of labour- saving technologies;
Change path ways Stimulate and support small businesses throughout the food system to be part of the transition towards agroecology.
Change path ways Bring more researchers on board to support a variety of research, collaborating with farmers to understand the potential of agroecology, its challenges and opportunities – IPES Food as an example
Signs of change • Business • UN – FAO • Research • Universities • Religious institutions • Funders –AE • CSOs – AFSA, LVC, EOI
Dakar, 5 November 2015 Million Belay - IPES-Food What are the obstacles farmers face in moving towards agroecology and diversification? What incentives are needed to support the transition to agroecology? How can we empower local food and farming communities to value their own knowledge, and use this knowledge to build local food systems? How can farmers and their communities get more involved in decision making about how they farm, and what support do they need to make their voices heard? Do you have any additional comments on issues that these reports should address? Agroecological transitions – call for contributions
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Agroecology – a path to the future of food systems

  • 1. Agroecology – a path to the future of food systems Million Belay (PhD) Director – MELCA – Ethiopia Coordinator – AFSA Panel member - IPES FOOD November 2015
  • 2. My view is shaped by • MELCA – Ethiopia – a local NGO working with farmers. • Alliance for the food sovereignty of Africa (AFSA). Network of networks, African voice, produced case studies and statement for this meeting. • International Panel of Experts on the Sustainability of Food Systems (IPES-Food) – looking at food systems– systems wide approach, combination of different forms of knowledge and analysis of science + power relationships and political economy of food systems.
  • 3. Narrative of Industrial/ High input agriculture • To feed the world – Focusing on production • Using agrochemicals • Bringing High Yielding Varieties • Using irrigation • Focusing on high end technology (Genetic engineering) • Agribuisness – market led agriculture – Training farmers new techniques – knowledge substitution
  • 4. What are the results so far • Not sustainable at all – Environmental degradation – pollution and biodiversity loss – Climate change – Social crisis – Impoverishment of people. – Land grabbing – Cultural erosion – knowledge erosion – Crisis in Non Communicable Diseases – non nutritious food – Disempowering women • Political and economic domination by the West and TNC
  • 5. Need for a new narrative • Food sovereignty – food system socially empowering, culturally appropriate, environmentally responsible and economically under the control of the food producers. • Agroecology – an umbrella for – Practitioners – Scientists – Activists
  • 6. Change path ways Mainstream agroecology in regional and national agriculture policies, plans and programmes;
  • 7. Change path ways • Support community-based seed systems • Give much greater recognition to indigenous knowledge and innovation • Incorporate agroecology in extension service provision, and strengthen the practice of farmer-to-farmer learning
  • 8. Change path ways Raise awareness among consumers of the nutritional benefits of agroecology.
  • 9. Change path ways Bring agroecology into all levels of education, especially tertiary, in collaboration with universities and colleges
  • 10. Change path ways Support the on-going development of labour- saving technologies;
  • 11. Change path ways Stimulate and support small businesses throughout the food system to be part of the transition towards agroecology.
  • 12. Change path ways Bring more researchers on board to support a variety of research, collaborating with farmers to understand the potential of agroecology, its challenges and opportunities – IPES Food as an example
  • 13. Signs of change • Business • UN – FAO • Research • Universities • Religious institutions • Funders –AE • CSOs – AFSA, LVC, EOI
  • 14. Dakar, 5 November 2015 Million Belay - IPES-Food What are the obstacles farmers face in moving towards agroecology and diversification? What incentives are needed to support the transition to agroecology? How can we empower local food and farming communities to value their own knowledge, and use this knowledge to build local food systems? How can farmers and their communities get more involved in decision making about how they farm, and what support do they need to make their voices heard? Do you have any additional comments on issues that these reports should address? Agroecological transitions – call for contributions