Promoting healthy soil ecosystems in Africa through agroecology

Lead Organization:

Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA)

Partner Organizations:

AFSA HSHF centers in Burkina Faso (BioProtect GIE), Uganda (Rural Community in Development), Kenya (Bio-gardening Innovations), and Malawi (Soils Food and Healthy Communities); Participatory Action Research (PAR) platform of the Seed and Knowledge Initiative for soil health issues, University of Cape Town, South Africa; AFSA-University collaboration platform in Uganda and Kenya

Community of Practice:

East & Southern Africa, West Africa

Countries:

Burkina Faso, Uganda, Kenya, and Malawi

Duration:

12/2024—3/2026

Overview:

Africa is experiencing escalating challenges due to the worsening effects of climate change, evidenced by severe droughts, floods, and cyclones. This year, the drought has devastated farmers in Southern Africa, underscoring the urgent need for evidence-based climate policy interventions. Climate change poses significant threats to food and nutritional security, particularly in vulnerable farming communities in Africa. Predominant climate actions, such as GHG emission reduction interventions via carbon credit market models and GMOs, have often resulted in social injustices like land and other resource grabs. Agroecology offers a more equitable and sustainable alternative, promoting climate-resilient farmer-managed seed systems, and healthy soil ecosystems that enhance water recycling, cool the earth, and support climate adaptation and mitigation. 

The Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) has been actively engaged in promoting agroecology through the Healthy Soil Healthy Food (HSHF) Initiative, which operates across 10 African countries with 15 soil health improvement centres. This initiative focuses on research and training in soil health, ecological pest and disease management, and agrobiodiversity conservation. Its goal is to influence policy and practice to recognize agroecology as a viable solution to climate challenges. The AFSA is seeking funds to expand the spatial and temporal scope of the HSHF initiative.

Grant Aims:

  • Expand the HSHF initiative’s spatial and temporal scope.
  • Increase the adoption of agroecological practices to improve soil ecosystem health and resilience to climate change.
  • Influence policy to recognize agroecology as a viable solution to climate challenges.

Outputs and Outcomes:

Outputs

  1. Conduct farmer-led research at 15 HSHF centers on agroecological practices.
  2. Develop knowledge products, including success stories, case studies, policy briefs, and training curricula.
  3. Organize training sessions, exchange visits, and capacity-building workshops.
  4. Conduct policy analyses and develop advocacy strategies.

Outcomes

  1. Increased adoption of agroecological practices among farmers.
  2. Enhanced soil ecosystem health and resilience to climate change.
  3. Improved policy environment supporting agroecology.
  4. Strengthened networks and partnerships for agroecological research and advocacy.