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

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

15. Thanks
Thanks