Empowering Rural Women and Youth in Agroecology

IN SUMMARY

• Amplifying agroecology as a transition pathway
• Transitioning towards a sustainable food system in Kenya
• Adopting agroecological practices

PELUM Kenya together with like-minded partners organized the inaugural National Agroecology Symposium under the theme “Sustainable Futures: Advancing Agroecology for Climate Resilience and Food Sovereignty.” The symposium aimed to foster dialogue on transitioning Kenya’s food systems towards sustainability.

Women and youth were called upon to embrace agroecology as they play a critical role in agriculture and rural economies across the world.

Despite the role and potential of women in agroeconomy, they are undermined by gender inequalities, this not only affects their well-being and economic empowerment but also the resilience of food systems.

Youths have been encouraged to invest in agroeconomy as it is a backbone of the economy of Kenya.

Amplifying Agroecology as a transition pathway

Esther Bett, the Executive Director at RODI Kenya called upon farmers to use indigenous seeds and foods as they contain nutrients necessary for the human body.

Bett mentioned that the government has promoted the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and insecticides which are toxic to the environment thus losing soil fertility.

She further said that the African soil is not strong enough to sustain chemical fertilizers leading to reduced production by farmers.

Resources Oriented Development Initiatives (RODI), promotes and advocates for agroecology and food security in the country through the making of bio fertilizers in both solid and liquid states as well as training farmers.

Maina Wambugu, a Director at Participatory Ecological Land Use Management Kenya (PELUM), reiterated sustainable ways of food production, calling on the usage of friendly forms of production by farmers for the growth of their own foods.

Collins Chibole from Grow Biointensive Agriculture Centre of Kenya (G-BIAC) mentioned that indigenous seeds are resistant to climate change thus they are a better option for agroecology.

GBIAC focuses on training farmers and providing extension services to expand agroecology and improve production.

Adopting Agroecological practices

HIVOS People Unlimited, a partner in the Agroecology Symposium is implementing a project namely ‘Rural Women Cultivating Change in Laikipia, Nakuru, Baringo and Kitui counties.’

Esther Kirugi a beneficiary of the project said that she has gained through rotation farming that she practices at her farm.

‘If women are empowered, they can produce more and feed the country,’ said Kirugi.

She further insisted that women are disadvantaged when it comes to land ownership.

Kirugi called upon the government to distribute organic fertilizers to farmers who do not use chemical fertilizers. Further, she said that voices of farmers should be heard before decisions are made on their behalf.

Recommendations

The Call to Action of the 1st National Agroecology Symposium outlined key recommendations from the symposium that included:

The National Government to expedite a national agroecology strategy, support farmer-driven research, develop legal frameworks for seed protection, and integrate agroecology into biodiversity plans.

County Governments to support local agroecology certification and infrastructure and include sustainable practices in subsidies.

Development Partners to prioritize funding for agroecology and climate resilience.

The Civil Society to advocate for policy changes and support gender-sensitive practices.

Research and Academia to collaborate with practitioners and develop relevant curricula.

The Private Sector to invest in markets and financial models that benefit smallholder farmers.

Farmers to adopt sustainable practices as consumers purchase agroecological products.

They also called upon the media to raise awareness about agroecology’s benefits.