In the face of climate change, biodiversity loss, as well as malnutrition and undernourishment, agroecology is gaining importance as a forward-looking approach to sustainable food systems. Its goal is to create fair food systems in harmony with nature. Three examples show how Biovision is helping agroecology achieve this.
How alliances strengthen our impact
Our 2025 symposium showcased the collaboration behind the project Healthy Nutrition for People in Low-Income Neighbourhoods with three organisations working hand in hand to make healthy food more accessible.
The organisation Feedback to the Future trains farmers in Kenya’s Makueni County in agroecological production. Diabetes Awareness Trust raises awareness of balanced nutrition among health professionals and residents in Nairobi’s Viwandani district. Bridging production and consumption, the Alliance of Bioversity International & CIAT develops local marketing systems that connect farmers in Makueni with consumers in Viwandani.
Each organisation contributes its own expertise. Together, they create a functioning agroecological food system – from field to fork.
This project illustrates how Biovision works. We are committed to using the funds entrusted to us as effectively as possible. To maximise impact, we foster alliances among partner organisations across sub-Saharan Africa and actively build and strengthen such partnerships ourselves.
By “alliance”, we mean organisations working together towards a shared goal. In addressing complex challenges such as the agroecological transformation of food systems, no single organisation can succeed alone. Alliances enable partners to combine strengths, extend their reach and achieve greater impact together.
Biovision as a connector
A key part of Biovision’s role is bringing the right organisations together, creating enabling conditions and strengthening collaboration. As the Kenyan example shows, alliances create opportunities for smaller organisations to contribute their expertise. While they may not have the capacity to manage large projects independently, they often fill critical gaps and provide complementary skills and knowledge.
Achieving success together
The collaboration between the three organisations in Kenya is delivering results. Today, 194 smallholder farmers are producing agroecologically on 40 hectares of land and supplying their harvests to the low-income neighbourhood of Viwandani. There, 466 people have received training or advice on healthy nutrition.
Since fruits and vegetables from Makueni were first introduced in Viwandani in 2025, demand has been so high that produce regularly sells out within hours. The retail outlet has had to expand to meet growing demand.
In the years ahead, we will continue to strengthen and grow alliances among local partner organisations. By sharing knowledge, experience and resources, these partnerships help more people benefit from agroecological solutions and accelerate the transition towards sustainable food systems.
How agroecology shapes the future of food
Political and economic decisions have a profound influence on our food systems. Achieving meaningful transformation requires supportive policies and access to finance for farmers, civil society and businesses across the agricultural and food sectors. But how can Biovision help influence decision-makers and drive change at this level?
Dialogue as a catalyst for change
One promising approach is to bring together all actors in the food system – from governments and businesses to civil society and international organisations. Thematic workshops linked to major international conferences provide an effective platform for such dialogue.
In 2025, Biovision organised a series of workshops ahead of the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) in Dakar. More than 80 participants from 13 countries across West, East and Southern Africa took part, including representatives of governments, civil society, impact investors and international funding institutions.
The workshops focused on two key topics. The first was the growing political support for agroecology across Africa, reflected in the adoption of National Agroecology Strategies (NAS) in several countries. Discussions explored how these strategies can be translated into action through concrete measures, such as promoting organic fertilizer production, establishing certification systems and ensuring access to the financing needed for implementation.
Connecting policy and practice
The second focus was the economic viability and societal benefits of agroecological businesses. Participants discussed the support entrepreneurs need to establish and grow such enterprises, as well as financing models that provide the flexibility required to strengthen their resilience.
To complement these discussions, Biovision organised visits to local businesses that demonstrate agroecology in practice. One example was Le Lionceau, a Senegalese company producing baby food from baobab fruit and other locally sourced ingredients. By creating nutritious products from traditional crops while supporting local value chains, the company illustrates an innovative and inspiring vision on how agroecological principles can be translated into successful and innovative business models benefiting both people and economies in Senegal and West Africa.
Agroecological businesses create lasting impact
A key insight from the Dakar workshops was that agroecology can only thrive when policy and financing work hand in hand. For NAS to deliver meaningful results after their adoption, governments and key actors must be empowered to jointly steer and implement them. Clear priorities, adequate resources and effective coordination are essential. At the same time, farmers need support to transition to agroecological production methods, while demand for agroecological products must be strengthened – for example through public procurement.
The workshops also highlighted that many agroecological businesses are not only environmentally and socially beneficial, but also economically viable.
To share the lessons from Dakar, Biovision will publish a series of analyses in 2026 covering the implementation and financing of NAS, mechanisms for stakeholder coordination and the economic potential and impact of agroecological businesses.
A study that points to the future
For agroecology to gain broader traction in Switzerland, inspiring practical examples are needed. In recent years, Biovision has highlighted more than 20 farms and initiatives and presented them to the public as “lighthouses”.
Success despite challenging conditions
One such example is the Adlerzart farm in Oberrüti, canton Aargau. The cows from Pirmin Adler profit from a diverse pasture with trees and shrubs such as hornbeam, maple and rowan. These provide valuable nutrients, reduce the need for purchased feed and veterinary treatments, and at the same time promote soil fertility and biodiversity.
Yet implementing an agroforestry system is demanding. Expertise remains scarce in Switzerland, tree planting is both time- and cost-intensive, and regulatory hurdles must be overcome.
This example shows that our agroecological lighthouses succeed despite current difficult framework conditions. At the same time, many conventional farms are under enormous pressure from low market prices and need viable prospects.
A study by Biovision demonstrates that for agroecology to become an attractive option, fundamental changes in political and societal framework conditions are needed as they build the basis for a sustainable food future in Switzerland.
The study identifies three key levers:
- Diversity in crops and livestock strengthens resilience to climate and biodiversity crises and must be strongly promoted.
- Agroecological knowledge must be firmly anchored in education and practice.
- Retailers and consumers must place greater value on sustainably produced food and make it more accessible.
Agroecology must therefore be approached systemically – from practical implementation and education to consumption.
Strong resonance for our findings
The study was presented to the media in April 2025 at the Rinderbrunnen farm in Grüt, canton Zurich and generated considerable interest. Its findings were also shared within Agrarallianz and a broad range of stakeholders including Bio Suisse, IP-Suisse, animal welfare organisations, the Swiss Consumer Protection Foundation and environmental organizations. We were subsequently invited to present the results to the Federal Office for Agriculture, where our practical examples generated significant interest.
Biovision will continue working in 2026 to ensure that these findings are incorporated into Switzerland’s agricultural policy reform process AP30+.
