Dr. Million Belay, General Coordinator , Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA).
By Isaiah Esipisu
For the first time in the history of global climate negotiations, agroecology has been formally recognized in the draft text of the Sharm el-Sheikh Joint Work on Implementation of Climate Action on Agriculture and Food Security, released at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, and this should be a wakeup call for Africa.
“For Africa, where millions of smallholder farmers are already living with the harsh realities of climate change, this landmark moment could not have come at a better time,” Dr. Million Belay, the General Coordinator of the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA).
Across the continent, countries are reviewing and updating their National Agriculture Sector Investment Plans (NASIPs) and their Regional Agriculture Sector Investment Plans (RASIPs). According to experts, the new recognition of agroecology offers a timely opportunity to embed ecological, farmer-centered approaches into the very heart of national and regional agricultural planning.
“We have been working closely with the African Group of Negotiators for the past five years just to have agroecology as part of the negotiation document,” said Dr Belay. “And the fact that this is now in the document under the climate negotiation umbrella as an outcome means a lot to us and the continent at large.”
The victory is not merely symbolic. It provides a concrete anchor from which African countries, civil society organizations, farmer groups, and development partners can push for agroecology to be woven directly into policy and investment strategies. For decades, African farmers have grappled with soil degradation, erratic rainfall, and the rising costs of external agricultural inputs.
Agroecology, which is rooted in indigenous knowledge, biodiversity, and ecological balance has often been touted as a viable pathway to resilience. But without explicit recognition in high-level policy frameworks, scaling agroecology has been a challenge.
Now, with its inclusion in the UNFCCC process, the dynamics could shift dramatically. “This is because now we can refer to this document when we are fundraising for Africa for local communities to practice agroecology,” Dr. Belay explained. “We can also use this document to push our governments to act on their obligations to ensure the continuity of society through agroecology. So it is a very good advocacy tool.” His words reflect a broader sentiment shared by many across the continent: that this recognition gives legitimacy and structure to what farmers have been doing for generations and what researchers and activists have long advocated.
The challenge ahead lies in ensuring that the recognition moves beyond paper. Most African NASIPs still prioritize conventional agricultural models built on synthetic fertilizers, monoculture production systems, and external technological inputs. While these approaches have occasionally boosted yields, they have also raised production costs, degraded ecosystems, and weakened the resilience of rural communities. Embedding agroecology into NASIPs and RASIPs requires a fundamental rethinking of what agricultural development in Africa should look like, and who it should serve.
One of the most promising avenues is the alignment of agroecology with national climate adaptation priorities. Many African countries already highlight climate-resilient agriculture in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans. Agroecology naturally fits within these frameworks, offering a suite of practices that improve soil health, enhance biodiversity, reduce reliance on chemical inputs, and stabilize yields under climate stress. By linking agroecological interventions directly to climate commitments, governments can justify integrating them into investment plans, unlocking domestic and international financing.
Equally important is the need to redirect agricultural subsidies and incentives. For decades, public resources have flowed toward fertilizer subsidy programs and industrial input supply chains. Shifting some of these resources toward farmer-managed seed systems, agroforestry, organic soil fertility enhancement, and ecological farming practices would send a clear signal that African governments are committed to long-term sustainability rather than short-term output gains.
Transforming extension and research systems is also essential. Today, most agricultural research institutions focus on high-input crop varieties and technologies developed in laboratories or international centers. Yet the most impactful agroecological innovations often emerge from farmers themselves. Supporting farmer-led research, retraining extension officers, and establishing agroecology learning centers can help institutionalize the approach and strengthen its scientific foundation.
At the regional level, Economic Communities such as ECOWAS, COMESA, SADC, and the EAC can play a powerful coordinating role. They have the ability to harmonize seed policies, guide investment priorities, and promote cross-border learning. If these blocs integrate agroecology into their RASIPs, they can amplify its visibility, attract funding, and create synergy across member states. This regional momentum would not only accelerate implementation but also signal to global partners that Africa is committed to systemic transformation.
Financially, the new climate negotiation text may unlock doors that were previously closed. With agroecology recognized under the climate umbrella, African countries can tap into the Green Climate Fund, the Global Environment Facility, and other climate financing mechanisms with stronger justification. “It is also very important for the rest of the agroecology society, meaning farmer groups, researchers, civil society and governments and entrepreneurs, that this is recognized under the umbrella of climate negotiation hopefully as an adaptation mechanism,” Dr. Belay noted. “And we can use it as a justification to push for implementation of policies and strategies towards agroecology.”
“If fully integrated into NASIPs and RASIPs, agroecology could reshape Africa’s food systems in profound ways,” said Dr Wilber Ottichilo, the Governor, Kenya’s Vihiga County. Vihiga is one of the three counties in the country that have enforced agroecology policies. “One could imagine landscapes thriving with agroforestry trees, soils replenished through organic matter, and farmers empowered with diverse seed varieties adapted to local climates,” said Dr Ottichilo.
The recognition of agroecology at COP30 should therefore be seen as a doorway, and not a destination. It offers Africa an unprecedented chance to craft agricultural strategies that protect the environment, empower communities, and build resilience in a warming world,” said Dr Belay.
The task now is to ensure that this global milestone translates into real change on farms, in policies, and across institutions. With political will, grassroots mobilization, and coordinated regional action, Africa can embed agroecology deeply into its agricultural investment plans and position itself as a global leader in sustainable, climate-resilient food systems.