On March 31st, 2023, Ecological Organic Agriculture Initiative ( EOA-I) under Biovision Africa Trust held a seminar at the OAKPLACE Conference Centre (located on GARDEN ESTATE ROAD) to enhance knowledge and comprehension of agroecology principles, practices, and outcomes. The event brought together professionals in the fields of agriculture, agroecology, and environmental sustainability,
The main objective of the seminar was to enhance understanding of EOA and Agroecology concepts, practices, and impact to give basis for the undertaking of the two studies commissioned by Biovision Africa Trust under its Ecological Organic Agriculture Initiative ( EOA-I):
- Assessment of the landscape of ecological organic agriculture (EOA) /agroecology (AE) interventions (initiatives, programmes and projects) in Africa that are government led, CSO driven, or donor led.
- Assessment of the role and position of youth in agroecology in Africa to identify entry points and areas of intervention for current and future programmes.
Consequently, the findings from the two studies will inform the design of SDC’s new program for the next ten years starting 2024.
The seminar expected outcomes were to develop a common understanding of Concepts and Principles of Agroecology, share current practices of agroecology work undertaken by our partners and link to the areas of focus of the 2 studies thus enhance understanding of the impact of agroecology interventions.
In his opening remarks, Dr. David Amudavi, Executive Director of Biovision Africa Trust (BvAT), provided an overview of the seminar’s objectives and expectations to the attendees, as well as the concept of agroecology. He also mentioned the crucial role played by the Ecological Organic Agriculture Initiative (EOA-I) in helping key stakeholders to develop a deeper understanding of agroecology. He highlighted the success of the 1st Eastern Africa Agroecology Conference, which was made possible by the collaborative efforts of EOA-I, partners, donors, sponsors, and other various stakeholders.
Furthermore, emphasis was made on the importance of incorporating research and development into agroecology practices in Africa. It was pointed out that countries like Israel prioritize research in every aspect of their agricultural practices thus their advancement in agriculture.
Strategies should be put in place to influence research outputs and focus on improving soil health, which can motivate more youth to get involved in agroecology. Modern technologies such as effective manure management have also been proven to be beneficial in agroecology practices.
In his response to the presentation on ‘youth study’ Professor Onwonga of University of Nairobi ( UON) underscored the significance of having age cohorts that cover all youth categories, including 15-20, 20-25, and 30-35, rather than solely concentrating on the 18-35 age range.
In his presentation on Climate Smart Agriculture ( CSA), Dr.Oulu of ISFAA explained that climate adoption strategies preserve the biological integrity of systems, while climate mitigation strategies decrease greenhouse gas emissions. He emphasized that CSA strives to boost productivity by taking into account the entire system of food production through agroecology. Furthermore, he noted that CSA practices can be implemented in specific value chains.
While speaking in the seminar, Dr. Mark Otieno of Embu University outlined the importance of integrating ecological and social perspectives in agricultural production, as well as the need for sustainable farming practices. He emphasized on the importance of adopting more ecologically conscious approaches to food production, which can help promote biodiversity, conserve natural resources, and reduce the environmental impacts of agriculture.
Additionally, Mr. Emmanuel Atamba pointed out that agroecology is a holistic approach to farming that focuses on the ecological, economic, and social aspects of agriculture. He highlighted the importance of integrating local knowledge, traditional practices, and innovative technologies to promote sustainable and resilient food systems.
This approach can help reduce the use of harmful chemicals and pesticides, conserve natural resources, and support biodiversity. Overall, his presentation provided valuable insights into the potential benefits of agroecological practices for sustainable and resilient food systems, emphasizing the need for collective action and collaboration among all stakeholders.
Ms. Rosinah Mbenya the Country Coordinator of Pelum Kenya gave agroecology an overall persecutive by defining agroecology as a practice and giving examples of agroecological practices.
Thus, the seminar brought about a common understanding of the tools to be used for data collection and the use of a framework that captures the current thinking of Agroecology to enhance understanding of EOA/Agroecology concepts, practices and impact that would give basis to assess the landscape of Ecological Organic Agriculture/Agroecology interventions and the role of youth in agroecology.
Prepared by Mercy Zakayo.
