The first Eastern Africa Agroecology Conference hosted by Biovision Africa Trust between 21st and 24th March 2023 at Safari Park Hotel, was attended by participants from over 20 countries around the globe. Participants hailed from parts of Africa, Europe, North and South America and Asia, to be part of this timely event themed ‘Strengthening resilience and sustainability in food systems for environmental and social economic development’. Speaking during the event, Dr David Amudavi, the Executive Director of Biovision Africa Trust, expressed gratitude over the overwhelming attendance of delegates from all parts of the world, which turned the regional conference into an international conference.
In his speech, read by Mr. Leonard Kubok Director, Capacity Building and Knowledge Management in the State Department for Crop Development in Kenya, the Chief Guest Hon Mithika Linturi, Minister of Agriculture in Kenya underscored the pivotal role played by the women and youth in promotion and adoption of agroecology. “Women and youth among other marginalized groups play a key role in agroecology and therefore I commend the support given to these groups by players in the sector,” he stated.
Passionate participants among them actors in the development sector, farmers, representatives from various national governments, the donor fraternity and researchers engaged in candid discussions on the opportunities that lie in agroecology, as a solution to the overbearing effects of climate change. The conference featured eye opening presentations by researchers, exhibitors of agroecological technologies, and practices as well as farmers’ whose effort in adopting agroecology have borne evident results in improving livelihoods.
Hon. Fred Bwino Kyakulaga, the State Minister of Agriculture in Uganda applauded the attendees’ for demonstrating their conviction in the potential of agroecology in transforming food systems in Africa. He remarked that the lively participation is proof of belief in what they advocate for.
Among key presentations made was by Dr. Hans Herren, the president, at Biovision Foundation who gave a compelling analysis of the milestones achieved in adoption of agroecology in various countries and the opportunities of further advancement.
While launching the call to action following the deliberations, Ms. Venancia Wambua, the Ecological Organic Agriculture – Initiative (EOA-I) project manager at Biovision Africa Trust said, “The Eastern Africa Agroecology conference has been a great success and shall be held every two years going forward.” She reiterated that Biovision Africa Trust, the convener of the conference will work with its partners, most of whom were key participants in the conference, to bring to life the ideas born from the deliberations as presented in the call to action.
Among the countries represented in the conference include Belgium, Colombia, Ethiopia, France, Switzerland, Germany, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Tanzania, United States, Rwanda, United Kingdom, Italy, Malawi, Netherlands, Sweden, Ghana, United Kingdom, and Liechtenstein.
The conference culminated with visits to organic farms in Machakos, and Nairobi counties.
Prepared by Caroline Mwendwa.