Saskia Marijnissen’s Post

Million Belay, coordinator of Agroecology Fund's long-term partner Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa, offers a different vision for African farming in the face of a $61bn one size fits all Feed Africa Initiative that may undermine biodiversity and Indigenous agricultural practices in a recent op-ed for African Arguments. "Agroecology champions an agricultural development path that is ecologically sound, socially just, and rooted in participatory, place-based approaches. It is an effective alternative to the industrial model proposed by Dakar II that prioritises the preservation of our agricultural biodiversity, the empowerment of our communities, and the protection of smallholder farmers’ rights and livelihoods. Our call for a shift in the African Development Bank’s approach is not merely a critique but a constructive proposal towards a sustainable future for African agriculture. In this vision, our continent’s agricultural potential is realised not through the homogenization of our landscapes and practices, but through the celebration and nurturing of our diversity. "

In my latest Op-Ed published by African Arguments, I took a closer look at the African Development Bank's $61bn one size fits all Feed Africa initiative that prioritises private interests undermining biodiversity and indigenous agricultural practices. I suggest an alternative path of #Agroecology and #FoodSovereignty. Read full article here ➡https://bit.ly/3IOics8

The African Development Bank has released an ambitious plan to modernise #African agriculture. The initiative, called #DakarII, counts with a staggering $61 billion budget. The approach, however, is to agro-industrialise #Afrca's #FoodSystems, relying heavily on corporate hybrid #seeds, hi-tech solutions, imported inputs, #GMOs, and large-scale monocropping of #maize, #rice, and #soybeans. The plan overlooks the diversity of needs, cultures, and ecosystems across African nations and communities. It sidelines small-scale farmers and #peasants, who already feed most of the continent, and also poses a threat to environmental biodiversity, indigenous agricultural practices and cultural heritage. Beyond that, the trend towards consolidating #land for industrial agriculture could potentially displace millions of smallholder farmers. In this article, Million Belay offers an alternative: to reimagine African agriculture in a way that is inclusive, #sustainable, and resilient by embracing #agroecology. This way, "Africa can forge a path towards a decolonised agronomy that empowers small-scale farmers, preserves biodiversity, and ensures food sovereignty". African Arguments

Let them fund agri business. It's small scale farmers that have to help each other, be the voice in the noise of the industry and encourage the investment community and policy makers to understand the value of small scale farming and innovative agriculture that doesn't require massive investments. It's up to us to say as a community, local or global we have the power to shift the way we feed the world. Let’s get on it! Let’s talk about it and make plans to do something about it! #impactinvestment #agriculture #changetheworld #africa #globalagriculture #policychange #gamechangers

A rural development perspective is key for a sustainable and fair transformation of agricultural and food systems. This is what we brought to the discussion of the GIZ sector network rural development in Somone, Senegal, this year and also what we are taking away. #snrdafrica #foodsystemstransformation #agroecology #biodiversityforfoodandagriculture #regenerationnow

While it faces policy headwinds and barriers to entry, agroecology has “a huge role to play” in both mitigating climate change and promoting climate justice, says Ernesto Mendez, professor of agroecology and environmental studies at the University of Vermont and head of the university’s new Agroecology Institute. “We have these methods that can support practices for mitigation and adaptation, but we also want to incorporate and have experience bringing in equity and justice issues.” 🗞 Read more about agroecology and its potential with a special focus on the Philippines on Reasons to be Cheerful 👉 Article also including quotes from Daniel Moss Agroecology Fund https://lnkd.in/dbqNQFSN #agroecology #climatejustice

WEF’s Thales de Paula highlights in Reuters the importance of the #Cerrado biome in bringing essential economic development to Brazil and its agribusiness sector🍃 Thales advocates for a balanced approach that protects this critical biome from deforestation and other environmental degradation whilst also supporting economic growth. 🌾IFACC has already allocated US$234.5 million to projects aimed at increasing agricultural productivity and supporting farmers in the Cerrado, which is home to 60% of Brazil’s agricultural production and 330,000 plant and animal species. To find out more about the Cerrado, read Thales’ op-ed below⬇️ https://lnkd.in/ekiT7Wqu #IFACC #innovativefinance Tropical Forest Alliance World Economic Forum 

🌽🐓 Principles of #agroecology are increasingly applied by farmers to maintain yields, diversify, and strengthen livelihoods 🌳 alongside the critical task of restoring and preserving ecosystems. 🧐 Explore how we put this into practice in #Ethiopia! 👇 https://lnkd.in/ewMmMjjJ By: Yodit Balcha Hailemariam Degefie Tibebe Degefie, PhD Jonathan Mockshell Sylvester Ogutu and Helen Blum

We are pleased to announce the 1st “4 per 1000” Mediterranean Regional Conference on Agroecology, to be held in Rabat, Morocco from 21 to 23 October 2024. The international “4 per 1000” Initiative, jointly with CIHEAM , OIV - Organisation Internationale de la Vigne et du Vin, Institut agronomique et vétérinaire Hassan II, #CIRAD, ICARDA; International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas, the FARM Foundation & the Adaptation for African Agriculture Foundation (AAA) (tbc), is organizing a regional conference involving experts from Mediterranean countries, in relation to #soil organic carbon, climate change mitigation & adaptation, focusing on agroecology. The workshop has the following specific objectives: To deliberate on the potential of & challenges, opportunities, solutions and strategies for soil organic carbon sequestration, soil health & agroecology in the specific Mediterranean ecosystems, including debates among all stakeholder groups involved. To propose an implementation pathway from policy to action through a Mediterranean regional “4 per 1000” roadmap, which would include for instance: - An action plan for establishing a regional consortium to foster collaborative research around #agroecology, carbon sequestration in #soils & maintaining healthy soils; - A regional database on good agricultural practices for carbon sequestration & climate change mitigation through agroecology to support transition & payment for ecosystem services. #4p1000initiative #4p1000 #agriculture #SoilHealth #SoilBiodiversity #FightDesertification More here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eYHtuNnm Ministère de l'Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche - Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères - 4p1000 Initiative

🌾 Exciting Update from Mzizi Agriculture Expert Forum! 🌍 Three weeks ago, we called for agricultural experts to join our mission, and the response has been overwhelming! We are thrilled to have a diverse pool of experts from across Africa on board. The Mzizi Agriculture Expert Forum aims to bridge the gap by connecting agricultural experts with smallholder farmers across Africa. With the African agriculture sector valued at over $30 billion, it's evident that agriculture is a vital economic contributor and essential for global food security. We strive to empower farmers and drive sustainable agricultural development through collaboration, knowledge sharing, and targeted support. With our globalized pool of experts, here's what you get: 1. Weekly brainstorming sessions 2. Cross-regional insights 3. Networking opportunities 4. Knowledge sharing and collaboration 5. Support for smallholder farmers 6. Field reports and publications 7. Policy updates etc. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our esteemed experts represented across Africa for joining and sharing their insights in our weekly discussions. Together, we expect to cover more groundbreaking topics and improve premium service delivery to our smallholder farmers. We are building a pool of African agricultural experts for gig economy opportunities. If you are an expert willing to collaborate and work with us, please register using the form below: https://lnkd.in/epqdDWXi For those joining our forum use this link: https://lnkd.in/dbp78dkt Share the link widely and join our weekly forum sessions. Let's revolutionize African agriculture together! #Agricultureexperts #sustainablefarming #knowledgesharing #mziziagriculture #smallholderFarmers #collaboration #agriInnovation #africaagriculture #mzizi #africa #climate #foodsecurity #agriculture