On Earth Day 2022, Faith Leaders in Africa Call for Increased Investment in Agroecology

“It is time for African governments to resist and reject industrial agriculture and recognize agroecology as a sustainable farming system that empowers small-scale farmers for food security and a resilient future,” Ms. Mugambe says.

In the April 22 report, the representatives of FBOs and CSOs in Africa say, “Solutions to the food and climate crisis have never been more urgent.”

Making reference to the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) landmark report released this year, the representatives of the Africa-based entities say, “Tens of millions of people across Africa face the risk of famine, drought, disease, and displacement within decades, predicting a bleak future for the continent least responsible for global warming.”

“Multiple African countries will face compounding risks from reduced food production across crops, livestock, and fisheries,” the IPCC report further says.

According to the General Coordinator of AFSA, “The age of multiple crises necessitates a serious rethinking of our food systems, as well as the promotion of ways to live in harmony with nature and invest in our planet.” 

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“Scaling up Agroecology can help Africa achieve transformative changes in climate change adaptation, food security, and sustainable and just economies,” Dr. Million Belay has been quoted as saying in the April 22 report.

Established by the United Nations (UN) through a resolution adopted in 2009, the International Mother Earth Day aims at demonstrating support for environmental protection. 

This years’ observance is marked under the theme, “Investing in Our Planet, calling to act boldly, innovate broadly, and implement equitably.”

Referencing the theme of the international event, Africa’s faith-based and civil society representatives say, “Agroecology is the latest science, a set of practices and the bold future of farming in Africa.”

As part of the activities this year, the representatives of the entities in Africa are undertaking a three-day social media campaign to raise awareness about the need for transformative changes in food systems in the world’s second largest continent. 

They say that this can be achieved “through diverse agroecological farming, which supports resilient and sustainable pathways to food security while addressing the climate crisis by rejuvenating biodiversity, restoring degraded land, improving ecosystem services, and increasing soil carbon sequestration.”

The campaign is to join the global community on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram under the slogan, “Investing in Agroecology is Investing in Our Planet.” 

The campaign’s official hashtags are #Agroecology4Climate and #InvestInAgroecology.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.