Lisbon, November 5, 2024
The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), in partnership with CORAF, CCARDESA, RUFORUM, JRC-ISPRA, AE-TPP, and IFAD, co-organized a pivotal session on “Catalyzing Agroecological Transitions in the Tropics in the Context of Climate Change” at the maiden Tropical Summit. This event brought together leading voices in agroecology, including the FARA Board Chair, Ms. Bongiwe Njobe, and FARA’s Executive Director, Dr. Aggrey Agumya, along with other notable participants.
In his welcome remarks, Dr. Aggrey Agumya emphasised the urgency of advancing agroecological practices, noting that while agroecology holds significant potential, it lacks substantial representation in the new Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) strategy. “The scientific community must work harder, faster, and louder to champion agroecological transitions,” Agumya urged.
Dr. Guy Faure of the European Commission’s International Partnerships (EC/INTPA) echoed this sentiment in his opening address, highlighting robust evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of agroecology. He outlined the European Commission’s commitment to three regional multi-actor networks across Eastern, Western, and Southern Africa. These networks aim to bolster agroecological practices by providing evidence-based technologies, building capacity, and driving policy advocacy.
The hybrid session featured presentations from two distinguished researchers: Professor Rachel Wynberg and Dr. Marc Corbeels, both experts in agroecology. Professor Wynberg discussed the importance of supporting agroecology in tropical regions, touching on research, policy, and practical applications. Dr. Corbeels followed with a presentation on agroecology as a vital approach to enhancing climate resilience, exploring policy and institutional support mechanisms essential for scaling agroecological practices.
The presenters defined key components of agroecology, underscoring its potential to address pressing societal challenges. They also highlighted the main barriers to economic and policy support, sharing insights based on their extensive work in various African contexts.
Interactive discussions and a lively question-and-answer session followed the presentations, with both in-person and online participants. Key questions emerged, including “Can we scale agroecology?” and “What is the return on investment for agroecology?” These questions underscored the audience’s keen interest in understanding both the scalability and economic viability of agroecological practices in Africa and beyond.
The session at the Tropical Summit spotlighted agroecology’s role in climate resilience and sustainable agriculture, paving the way for a deeper commitment from the global community toward supporting agroecological transitions in the tropics.
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