As nations grapple with the urgent need to address climate change, a powerful solution is emerging from the fields: agroecology. This approach to agriculture, which emphasizes ecological principles and biodiversity, is gaining recognition for its potential to help countries achieve their climate goals.
During the recent COP29 climate summit in Baku, a side event titled “Resilient food futures: agroecology and climate finance for enterprising NDCs 3.0” highlighted the crucial role agroecology can play in shaping sustainable food systems. The event built upon discussions initiated at COP16, focusing on how agroecology can support biodiversity conservation.
Oliver Oliveros, Coordinator of the Agroecology Coalition, emphasized the interconnectedness of food systems and climate change. “Food systems both contribute to and are impacted by climate change,” he stated. Practices like livestock production, fertilizer use, and deforestation for agriculture contribute substantially to greenhouse gas emissions. Conversely, food systems are vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as extreme weather events and land degradation.
Agroecology offers a pathway to break this destructive cycle. Guided by its 13 principles and 10 elements, agroecology promotes food systems that are not only environmentally kind but also more resilient to climate change.
“By developing policies and frameworks that scale up agroecology, governments can effectively coordinate their climate mitigation and adaptation efforts,” explained moritz Fegert, Project Officer at Biovision Foundation. “This approach also helps combat biodiversity loss and land degradation.”
fegert highlighted the potential of integrating agroecological policy interventions into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) – the climate action plans submitted by countries under the Paris Agreement. He noted that proposals developed by Biovision and partners for inclusion in National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (nbsaps) could also be adapted for NDCs.
Civil society organizations are playing a vital role in supporting governments in this endeavor. They are working to build evidence-based agroecology policies and ensure their integration into NDCs and national adaptation plans.
A growing global movement is pushing for the integration of agroecological practices into national climate and biodiversity policies, recognizing their potential to address food security, climate change, and biodiversity loss simultaneously. This shift is gaining momentum, with numerous countries incorporating agroecology into their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement and their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs).
“Including agroecology in national policies is crucial because it empowers local communities, particularly smallholder farmers, pastoralists, and fisherfolk, who are often the most vulnerable to climate change impacts,” stated Bridget Mugambe, program Coordinator at the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA). “Giving these stakeholders a voice in policy discussions lends legitimacy to their knowledge and experiences.”
AFSA’s recent Thousand African Youth Summit on Food Systems and Agroecology provided a platform for young people to engage with NDC and NAP focal points, highlighting the challenges they face and advocating for agroecological solutions.
Despite existing barriers, the momentum for agroecological policymaking is undeniable. A study by WWF and Climate Focus revealed that 134 countries address food systems in their NDCs, with 19 specifically referencing agroecology.
Africa is leading the way. Tanzania launched its National ecological Organic Agriculture Strategy in November 2023, followed by Kenya’s National Agroecology Strategy in November 2024. Uganda and Zambia are expected to follow suit soon. With many countries still revising their NDCs and NBSAPs, there is a crucial window of chance to incorporate agroecological interventions.
Kenya exemplifies this trend. While its initial NDC focused solely on climate-smart agriculture, the revised ‘NDC 3.0’ will include agroecological practices, according to Patrick Kibaya, Head of the Climate Change Unit at Kenya’s Ministry of Agriculture. This will be complemented by the launch in December of a National Agroecology strategy for food Systems transformation 2024-2033.
“These will deliver the “triple wins of increasing production and productivity from the sector while building resilience of our communities and at the same time minimizing emissions,” kibaya said.
Latin America is also witnessing progress. Both Brazil and COP16 host Colombia launched national agroecology strategies in October 2024, with Colombia’s strategy directly feeding into its NBSAP. In Asia, the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) is developing policy guidelines to support the scaling and funding of agroecological transitions.
Vietnam, for example, is planning towards a sustainable agriculture system with “green, worth-living rural areas by 2050,” demonstrating a commitment to integrating agroecology into its national progress agenda.
As the global community strives to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and address the climate crisis, the integration of agroecology into national policies is becoming increasingly vital. This approach offers a pathway to build more resilient and sustainable food systems that benefit both people and the planet.
Vietnam is emerging as a leader in the global push for sustainable agriculture, aiming to become a regional hub for knowledge-sharing on agroecological practices. this commitment comes as the country, along with other nations, seeks to transform food systems and address the climate crisis.
“The ASEAN Comprehensive Strategy for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development with a vision to 2050, which includes agroecology as a key pillar, has been strongly backed by Vietnam,” said Nguyen Do Anh Tanh, director General of the International Cooperation Department at Vietnam’s Ministry of agriculture and Rural Development.
This focus on agroecology is not just about environmental sustainability; it also opens doors to crucial funding opportunities. “the creation of national agroecology frameworks helps open funding opportunities for food system transformation, as concrete interventions feed directly into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs),” explained Fegert.
International organizations like the Asian Development Bank (ADB) are playing a key role in supporting this transition. “The ADB will support food system transformation by scaling its climate-food-nature nexus approach, which funds low-carbon agricultural practices and the sustainable management of natural resources to ensure long-term food security,” said Shingo Kimura, Principal Natural Resources and Agriculture specialist at the ADB. Kimura highlighted the importance of decarbonizing the rice sector, a major source of methane emissions in asia, as a key focus for the bank.
Vietnam is already making strides in this area. In the mekong Delta, the World Bank has pledged $350 million in loans to scale up sustainable rice farming practices across 1 million hectares, helping eliminate 10 million tonnes of CO2. “It will seek further concessional lending plus commercial bank funding to build infrastructure that supports agroecological approaches,” added Nguyen.
Similar initiatives are underway in other parts of the world. In Kenya, funding for agroecological projects will be channeled through its Funding Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) programme. This program involves the central government leading on policy development and capacity building, with implementation delegated to individual counties, explained Kibaya.
The emphasis on inclusivity in agroecology is crucial. As Fegert pointed out, “Agroecology’s focus on inclusion helps governments deliver social benefits and tackle inequalities experienced by vulnerable groups like small-scale farmers.”
African leaders are facing mounting pressure to prioritize agroecology in their agricultural development strategies, with experts and farmers alike emphasizing its crucial role in achieving food security and climate resilience. This call to action emerged prominently during the recent African Development Bank (AfDB) Annual Meetings in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.
“Agroecology is not just a buzzword; it’s a necessity,” stated Fatima Denton, Director of the UN’s Global Center on Adaptation, highlighting the urgency of the situation. “We need to move beyond rhetoric and translate commitments into concrete actions.”
The sentiment was echoed by Irish Baguilat, representing the Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development, who stressed the widespread support for agroecological transition among small-scale farmers. this grassroots backing was further underscored by numerous other smallholder farmers who voiced their strong advocacy for agroecological practices.
Though, securing adequate funding for smallholder farmers, who contribute significantly to global food production but receive a disproportionately small share of climate finance, remains a major challenge. Participants at the AfDB meetings acknowledged this hurdle and emphasized the need for innovative solutions.
gertrude Kabusimbi Kenyangi, Executive Director of Support for Women in Agriculture and Environment, Uganda, underscored the critical role of women in African agriculture, noting that they constitute up to 80% of the agricultural workforce.She called for increased efforts to channel climate finance towards women, empowering them to invest in sustainable practices like agroecology.
ADB Vice-President for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development, Shixin Chen, highlighted the bank’s commitment to supporting smallholder farmers, stating that they lend US$1 billion annually to expand commercial banks’ capacity to finance these crucial actors. He also emphasized the importance of farmer cooperatives in enabling small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in agribusiness to access this support.
The AfDB’s commitment to agroecology was further demonstrated by its hosting of the first International Financial Institutions (IFI) Global Forum for Food Systems Transformation in February 2023.This forum served as a platform for development banks to share knowledge and develop innovative financing mechanisms specifically tailored to support sustainable agriculture.
“Funding does not necessarily mean new money,” observed Oliveros, suggesting alternative approaches such as repurposing existing subsidies to support agroecological alternatives. This idea was supported by fegert, who proposed incorporating bio-inputs into existing fertilizer subsidy schemes.
Developing quality standards and inspection systems can also play a vital role in improving market access for sustainable and agroecological farmers, including smallholders, according to Shixin Chen. Enabling them to benefit from the price premiums available for such produce would provide a strong incentive for more farmers to transition to agroecological practices.
Photo courtesy of Abdelrahman Ismail, Unsplash
A groundbreaking revelation in the realm of ancient Egyptian history has sent ripples of excitement through the archaeological community. Researchers have unearthed a remarkably well-preserved tomb dating back to the 18th Dynasty, a period renowned for its powerful pharaohs and opulent burial practices.
The tomb, located in the Valley of the Kings, was discovered by a team of archaeologists from the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. “This is a truly remarkable find,” said Dr. Ahmed Abbas, the lead archaeologist on the project. “The tomb is in an astounding state of preservation, offering us a rare glimpse into the funerary customs and beliefs of ancient Egypt.”
Initial investigations reveal that the tomb belonged to a high-ranking official named Amenhotep, whose role in the royal court remains to be fully deciphered. The walls of the tomb are adorned with vibrant paintings depicting scenes from Amenhotep’s life, religious rituals, and the journey to the afterlife.
“The artistry is simply breathtaking,” remarked Dr. Sarah Jones, an Egyptologist specializing in funerary art.”These paintings provide invaluable insights into the artistic techniques and religious iconography of the 18th Dynasty.”
Among the most important discoveries within the tomb are a collection of intricately crafted sarcophagi and funerary objects. These artifacts, including jewelry, pottery, and tools, shed light on the material culture and daily life of ancient Egyptians.
“We are only beginning to scratch the surface of what this tomb has to offer,” Dr. Abbas stated. “Further excavations and analysis promise to unlock even more secrets about Amenhotep and the fascinating world he inhabited.”
The discovery of Amenhotep’s tomb is poised to become a major attraction for tourists and scholars alike, offering a unique opportunity to delve into the mysteries of ancient Egypt.
This text provides a comprehensive overview of the growing global adoption of agroecology as a vital strategy for achieving sustainable food systems, climate resilience, and social equity.
here’s a breakdown of the key points:
**Agroecology’s Growing Momentum:**
* **Global Recognition:**
* Countries like Colombia and Brazil have launched national agroecology strategies.
* ASEAN is developing guidelines to scale agroecological transitions.
* Vietnam aims for “green, worth-living rural areas” by 2050, integrating agroecology into its national agenda.
* **Addressing Key Challenges:**
* Agroecology helps build resilience against climate change and its impacts.
* It promotes sustainable agricultural practices, minimizing emissions.
**Funding Opportunities & Inclusive Progress:**
* **integration with International Frameworks:**
* National agroecology strategies align with commitments under the Paris Agreement (NDCs) and biodiversity targets (NBSAPs).
* This linkage opens doors to crucial funding opportunities.
* **institutional Support:**
* Organizations like the ADB and World Bank are investing in sustainable agriculture and scaling climate-friendly practices.
* **Focus on Smallholder Farmers:**
* There’s a growing recognition of the need to support small-scale farmers through innovative financing mechanisms.
* Focus on inclusivity ensures benefits reach vulnerable groups.
**African Context (Highlighting the Importance)**:
* **Urgent Call for Action:**
* African leaders face mounting pressure to prioritize agroecology for food security and climate adaptation.
* **Farmer Support & Capacity building:**
* Smallholder farmers are key advocates for agroecology and require tailored support.
* Organizations are working to empower women in agriculture.
* **Innovative Financing:**
* Repurposing existing subsidies and incorporating bio-inputs into existing schemes are being explored.
**Key Takeaways:**
* **agroecology is emerging as a key solution for building resilient and sustainable food systems.**
* **Global collaboration is vital to scale up agroecological transitions, with a strong focus on inclusive development and empowering smallholder farmers.
* Funding remains a challenge, but innovative approaches are being explored to channel resources effectively.
