2nd Eastern Africa Agroecology Conference Opens with Unified Call for Food System Transformation

The 2nd Eastern Africa Agroecology Conference opened yesterday in Nairobi with renewed urgency and shared vision: to transform the region’s food systems through agroecology. Drawing hundreds of delegates from across Africa and beyond, the opening ceremony set the tone for a week of rich dialogue, policy deliberations, and showcasing of agroecological innovations.

Convened under the theme “Strengthening Agri-Food System Transformation for Resilience, Sustainability and Socioeconomic Development,” the conference brings together government officials, researchers, development partners, farmers, youth, and private sector actors committed to regenerative agriculture.

Dr. David Amudavi, Executive Director of Biovision Africa Trust—the convening organization—welcomed participants by reflecting on the success of the inaugural 2023 conference and the urgent need to act amid worsening food insecurity, climate change, and degraded ecosystems.

“Agroecology offers a science-based and community-centered pathway for rebuilding our food and farming systems; emphasizing soil health, biodiversity, indigenous knowledge, and equitable value chains,” he said.

Dr. Amudavi emphasized the paradox of increasing fertilizer use alongside declining soil productivity and showcased local solutions such as composting, biofertilizers, and vermiculture. He called for investments to move agroecology from the margins to the mainstream.

Representing the Cabinet Secretary of Agriculture, Dr. Christopher Wanga underscored Kenya’s commitment to agroecology through its National Agroecology Strategy (2024–2033). He stressed the importance of interlinking policies and urged mainstreaming agroecology across counties, farms, and enterprises.

“Let us not forget the five areas of focus: increasing biodiversity, ensuring animal health, protecting the ground, saving natural resources, and conserving our environment,” Dr. Wanga said.

He also linked Kenya’s policy direction with continental strategies such as the AU’s Kampala Declaration and the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit’s Nairobi Declaration—both recognizing agroecology as a critical pathway.

Dr. Petra Jacobi, delivering remarks on behalf of GIZ Country Director Mr. Bodo Immink, praised Kenya for its thought leadership in agroecology and highlighted the participatory development of the national strategy. She emphasized empowering farmers as change agents, sharing that agroecological innovations had increased incomes by 35% among over 100,000 households.

From Uganda, Hon. Fred Bwino, State Minister for Agriculture, expressed pride in Uganda’s progress in institutionalizing agroecology as a science, a practice, and a movement.

“Governments must provide enabling frameworks, commit funding, and raise awareness,” he stated. “Only then can agroecology transform food systems in a sustainable way.”

Renowned agroecology champion Dr. Hans Herren delivered a powerful address focused on the political and structural roots of food insecurity. He challenged the audience to rethink the overemphasis on technological fixes and instead address systemic issues such as inequity, land access, and monopolization of food systems.

“Technology alone cannot fix hunger. Political will, structural reforms, and a truly just food system are what we need,” he declared.

He criticized the push for a new “green revolution,” arguing that agroecology represents the only holistic and sustainable path forward.

The opening ceremony concluded with a shared call to action: to invest in agroecology, support farmer-led innovation, align policies, and scale what works. As Dr. Amudavi put it, “This conference is not just a meeting—it is a movement.”

As deliberations continue, the spotlight remains on building a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food future for Eastern Africa and beyond.

Prepared by Simon Njoroge