Reflection: Regional Workshop To Develop A Concerted Advocacy Strategy For Agroecology in West Africa
The Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA), Alliance for Agroecology in West Africa (3AO), COPAGEN, and ENDA PRONAT organized a three-day workshop in Saly, Senegal, with representatives from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Farmer Organizations (FOs) across West Africa to draft a regional advocacy strategy for agroecology. The above partners brought together key players to define an agroecology strategic roadmap focusing on three priority areas: farmer seeds (peasant seeds), biofertilizers (bio inputs), and natural pesticides (bio protectors).
A clear and resounding aspect of the workshop across the three priority areas was the importance of influencing public policy to create conditions for the adoption of agroecology in West Africa. Many countries may have recognized the importance of agroecology for sustainable food production and food security; however, agroecology is not written outright in policies and plans in many countries. The definition, understanding, and objectives of agroecology differ between CSOs, FOs, and government agencies at the country level, with some definitions equating agroecology to sustainable agriculture, organic agriculture, or smart agriculture, which has implications for policies, programs, and funding.
At the workshop, centering agroecology on these three main priority areas: peasant seeds, bio inputs, and bio protectors, was clear in developing an advocacy plan that would allow for a coordinated strategy, considering that each country has different priorities on agrochemicals, genetically modified seeds, etc. The future of agriculture in West Africa depends on ecology. Agroecology is not new; the practice of ecological farming existed long before conventional farming, even though it has now been globally proposed to seem like the new alternative. Before the impact of agrochemicals through conventional farming, family farming formed the basis of food production in West Africa. This food production centered on peasant seeds, an integrated crop and livestock system, rainfed agriculture, etc.
The promotion of agroecology and food sovereignty is the core work of AFSA and the workshop partners. An advocacy strategy for agroecology in West Africa will strengthen collaboration among stakeholders and support stakeholders to reach out to key actors and decision-makers with a common and strategic message on the regional and national level across countries. In addition, the advocacy strategy can ensure that policy initiatives across countries in West Africa are linked and integrated, as well as the mobilization of economic resources.
As one of the workshop attendees and participants, an advocacy strategy should be led by women, peasant farmers, and the youth in the planning, facilitation, and implementation. Moreover, the shifting political landscape of West Africa must be considered and included in the advocacy strategy at both national and regional levels. Assessing factors that can impact sustaining a long-term vision for a regional agroecology strategy that seeks to center and prioritize farmers and rural communities in West Africa is imperative. Lastly, investing in strengthening relationships between and among stakeholders and partners can enhance local and regional knowledge sharing, learning, and influencing long-term and sustained action.
