Key observations from the conference:

The conference was organized by the Biovision Africa Trust and the Knowledge Centre for Organic Agriculture. The theme of the conference was, Strengthening Agri-Food System Transformation for Resilience, Sustainability and Socioeconomic Development. It aimed to discuss political and policy changes for a fair, healthy, and regenerative food system in Africa.

The conference featured keynote addresses, panel discussions, parallel sessions, side events and exhibitions.

Some of the featured discussions were;

• Women and youth empowerment in agroecology,
• The economics and adoption of agroecology,
• The role of women and youth in agroecological transitions,
• The true costs of food production in kenya,
• The adoption of organic agroecological practices in Tanzania,
• The role of community-led solutions for soil health,
• Climate resilience and nutrition,
• Sustainable livestock farming,
• Farmer-managed seeds,
• Soil health innovations like insect frass fertilizer,
• Presentations on measuring the impact of agroecology, community-driven approaches, and the role of circular economy practices in enhancing sustainability
• Push and pull method for pest management,
• Pesticides in agriculture

Key Takeaways:

A standout session on Pesticides in Agriculture brought together experts like Alice Blondel (SwedWatch), Eustace Kiarii (KOAN), Dr. Monica Nderitu (Agroforestry Network), Christine Gatwiri (Route to Food Initiative) and Honorable Gladys Jepkosgei Boss (the Deputy Speaker of the Kenya National Assembly and woman representative for Uasin Gishu County) to discuss safer alternatives to hazardous pesticides.

 The speakers recommended;

• Supporting PCPB to ensure that only approved products are available and work towards the removal of hazardous pesticides (HHPS) from circulation,
• Promote safer alternatives to conventional pesticides, such as biopesticides and integrated pest management (IPM) practices,
• Collaborate with stakeholders to develop policies that support sustainable and environmentally friendly pest control solutions,
• Conduct research on the shelf life of biopesticides to promote its availability on agrovets,

This session also saw the launch of the Agroforestry Policy Brief as a sustainable path toward increased biodiversity and human health.

Highlights from the Field Sites:

On 28th March 2025, participants embarked on an inspiring journey across various field sites to witness agroecology in action. These excursions showcased innovative practices, community-driven solutions, and sustainable farming techniques.

Effective IPM and Natural Livestock Integration – Ruiru: Insights into eco-friendly pest management and sustainable livestock integration, promoting productivity while preserving environmental health.

Participants delved into real-world applications of agroecology, from forest conservation, community empowerment to ethno-veterinary medicine as an alternative approach to responsible use of antibiotics and other chemical veterinary drugs in veterinary health care.

The conference reinforced a collective commitment to promoting agroecology as a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture while advocating for safer, healthier alternatives in agricultural production and consumption.