Story By: Joyce Gyekye
About 300 young people from 47 African countries who participated in the First Thousand Youth Summit on Food Systems and Agroecology and the more than 1000 who joined virtually have declared their commitment to work to transform the continent’s food systems.
They made the declaration at the end of a three-day summit, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 14-16 October 2024. They renewed their commitment by being a part of a growing movement for people-empowered food sovereignty, where their voices and actions would shape the future of Africa’s food systems. Their declaration, the group noted is based on the fact that the “ current food system is failing both our generation and our continent”
They declared their dedication to advocate for an inclusive transition to agroecology as the solution to the climate and biodiversity crisis, cultural erosion, disregard to food, rising food prices and on-going conflicts on the continent.
They mentioned agroecology as a sustainable agricultural practice and expressed their displeasure against farming practices that prioritize profit over people. They made it clear that they will “showcase agro ecological opportunities and capabilities in adapting to climate crisis to address the challenges facing Africa’s food systems”
Another commitment they pledged to was to be “ part of African social movement that that will ensure social Justice, defend the dignity of our people and advocate for peace and against war everywhere on the continent and the world”
They declared to ensure gender-conscious mainstreaming through agroecology, empowering women and the youth in all aspects of sustainable food systems and advancing gender equality across Africa.
The Youth Coordinator of Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa, (AFSA) Simon Bukenya in a statement preceding the summit recounted the effects that climate change has on the youth like job and food insecurity, as well as health risks. He acknowledged the role of the youth to find solutions to the effect of the climate crisis on them.
The General Coordinator of AFSA, Dr Million Belay commended the youth platform of the organization for organizing the summit and entreated them to challenge the narrative by the west that Africa is poor and cannot feed its population without using agro-chemical support by powerful forces outside interests.
He drew the attention of the youth to the planetary crisis which is biodiversity loss, climate change and pollution and their devastating effects on Africa.
Dr Belay mentioned how the “ Russia-Ukraine war, triggered food crisis in Africa, increased cost of fuel and fertilizers and this has to stop”. He expressed worry that some African countries import more than 70 percent of their foods and admonished the youth “To control the production of our foods, their distribution and consumption”.
Ethiopia’s Minister for Planning and Development, Dr Fitsum Assefa commended the youth for the summit which she said “Is a testimony of their capabilities, innovations and what they can do to adapt and mitigate the challenges being posed by climate change on our food system, ecology and our way of life”.
She reiterated Africa’s low contribution to climate change but suffers the most devastating effects of the weather phenomenon. This, she noted, makes agroecology important as it provides comprehensive, environmentally friendly farming methods that value local knowledge, protects biodiversity and honors the environment.
She stated the pivotal role of the youth “ At the center of promoting agroecology which is the pathway of greater food sovereignty, environmental protection and social equity”. She lauded the summit as a testimony to their capabilities, innovations and what they can do to adapt and mitigate the challenges being posed by climate change.
DEMANDS BY AFRICAN YOUTH
At the end of the summit the youth made some demands such as; increased investment in agroecology, safeguard land rights for the youth, support for youth-led innovations in agroecology, promote agroecology as a just climate action to enable climate change adaptation and mitigation across the continent.
Some of them showcased innovations in the form of organic fertilizers and pesticides they have churned out to promote soil health and address pest infestation, as alternatives to inorganic ones that destroy biodiversity and affect human health.
Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa, AFSA is the largest civil society organization on the continent with membership in 50 African countries and represents 200 million farmers. It seeks to influence policies which promote African solutions to food sovereignty, and a transition from increasing industrialized agriculture to agroecology.
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