Rethinking our agri-food systems

In an era of rapid change, our global agri-food systems face unprecedented challenges. A growing population, particularly in urban centres, alongside the impacts of climate change, shifting consumption patterns, limited natural resources, and increasing human-induced conflicts, necessitate a comprehensive reassessment of how we produce and distribute food.

The need for a paradigm shift

For decades, we focused on only increasing productivity and efficiency through technological advancements such as improved seeds and fertilisers as well as through achieving economies of scale. While this approach was successful in Europe, the USA, and parts of Asia, its effectiveness has been markedly less in Africa. We have seen negative consequences in intensive systems as overuse and wrong use of fertilisers and chemicals resulting in declining soil health, groundwater pollution, and loss of biodiversity. In Africa, low use of external inputs on already degraded soils contributed to further degradation and the expansion of agricultural land at the expense of natural habitats, having a negative impact on biodiversity.

So, what do we need to do differently? We need to work towards a sustainable and resilient agri-food system which can deliver food security and adequate nutrition for people in all their diversity in such a way that the economic, social, and environmental bases are safeguarded for future generations.

A lot of what needs to be done is known: most farmers, scientists, extension services, and private sector know the essentials of what we call Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs). However, in the quest to increase production, to reduce the price of food, to maximise profits, many of these principles are no longer practised. In many contexts, we have lost a focus on maintaining soil health and regenerating soils, on improving biodiversity and ecosystems, on the optimum instead of maximum use of resources and inputs. But new challenges such as climate change also require more drastic innovations such as drought-resistant seeds and sustainable water management and small-scale irrigation. Not to forget addressing reducing food loss and waste.

The recent attention given by policymakers, private sector, development organisation, and donors towards Regenerative Agriculture will accelerate to rethink and change the future development of our Agri Food Systems. However, we don’t need dogmatic and simplistic approaches. What is needed are existing and new GAPs, focus on soil health and high-quality seeds, demonstrating practices using smart combinations of external and locally available and recyclable materials that work in specific contexts and that are scalable and are accessible for many of the small and medium-size farmers.

Mobilising collective efforts for change

The health of our planet depends on the health of its ecosystem, and a sustainable Agri-food system is crucial for achieving this goal. We know the direction, and we have the technology, so let’s give this priority. All actors in the agri-food system should get to work!

Click on the link to to watch the interview on Scaling up regenerative agriculture in Africa