Participants
This side event is hosted by the Intersectoral Forum on Agrobiodiversity & Agroecology (ISFAA).
Speakers:
- Daniel Gitahi, Chief Officer Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Murang’a County
- Joseph Kisaka, Kakamega County Agribusiness Development Officer
- Lilian Aluso, Alliance Bioversity International – CIAT
- Mary Irungu, PELUM Kenya
- Mburu Gathuru, Kiambu County Assembly
- Martin Oulu, ISFAA Coordinator
- Alex Lwakuba, Commissioner Crop Production, Uganda Ministry of Agriculture
- Josephine Akia, PELUM Uganda
- Monica Kawanara, Tanzania Ministry of Agriculture (Policy and Planning)
- Matthias Geck, ICRAF/Agroecology Coalition and CGIAR
Key messages
- There is still great need to gather compelling evidence to sensitize and make the agroecology case to policymakers. A challenge linked to the evidence gap is farmers’ lack of access to organic inputs.
- MSPs have proven to be effective platforms for building broad support for agroecology. Through the inclusion and active participation of diverse stakeholders, opposition is reduced, and government comes on board.
- A key success factor for agroecology policy initiatives is the buy-in from the legislative and executive arms of government. At the implementation stage, success will depend on the capacity development of extension and support services.
- A policy is only one part of the equation. Translating a policy into action on the ground requires an implementation plan, a strategy and the involvement of extension services. In some cases, a strategy can come before a policy to speed up the process.
- Organic agriculture and improvement of soil fertility are prevalent entry points for agroecology.
