AGROECOLOGY can contribute to transformation towards healthier and sustainable food systems, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
Former FAO Director-General, José Graziano da Silva said during the 2nd International Agroecology Symposium in Rome that most food production has been based on high-input and resource-intensive farming systems at a high cost to the environment, and as a result, soil, forests, water, air quality and biodiversity continue to degrade.
He underscored the need to promote a transformative change in a way that people can produce and consume food through sustainable food systems that offer healthy and nutritious food and also preserve the environment.
This has also been a call by small-holder farmers all over the world under the umbrella of La Via Campesina as well as regional bodies such as Eastern and Southern small-scale farmers forum (ESAFF) to which the National Network of Small-Scale Farmers Groups in Tanzania (MVIWATA) is a member.
Farmers are concerned that food production should be democratized and localized using peasant agroecology, that encompasses not only practices of preserving soils and the environment but a political paradigm of changing the world-order in food production.
With ecologically based agricultural systems, agroecology reduces exposure to pesticides and chemicals that are harmful to people’s health, helping prevent diseases such as cancer and hormonal dysfunctions, in addition to producing food of a greater variety and quality.
Agroecology has the potential to feed the world sustainably by promoting resilient, diverse, and productive farming systems. Its success depends on supportive policies, investment in research and extension services, and a shift in agricultural paradigms towards sustainability.
By addressing environmental, social, and economic dimensions of farming, agroecology can contribute significantly to global food security and sustainability.
The National Network of Small-Scale Farmers Groups in Tanzania believes that agroecology as a practice has been there for years, embedded within small-scale farmers' culture in seed multiplication and saving, land preparation, plating and crop management to harvesting and post-harvest management.
To this end, MVIWATA also believes that agroecology in a current setting is a political project that seeks to change the pushed narrative of agribusiness, which in simple terms to African context means more fertilizers, more pesticides, more hybrid seeds and the majority small-scale farmers are only looked upon as a mere market of the big multinational corporations of the mentioned above products.
An effective push-back is only possible if the struggle is waged at all fronts, one being small-scale farmers keeping in-tact their rich agroecological practices for political, social, environmental and economic justice.
The small scale farmers’ network organized training on agroecology to emphasize on the continuous process of strategizing and allowing farmers to exchange information and learn to fight against the capital system which in agriculture identifies itself largely on seeds, fertilizers, chemical pesticides all under the name of modernism.
In 2024 alone, MVIWATA organized one national agroecology school and localized trainings on agroecology participated by farmers from Zanzibar, Manyara, Dodoma, Kilimanjaro, Morogoro, Shinyanga, Geita, Simiyu and Mtwara regions whereas more than 100 demonstration plots were set by farmers in different areas to demonstrate, test and practice different skills and experiences.
In Hai District, Kilimanjaro Region where many farmers are inclined towards the ‘modern’ way of agriculture, MVIWATA conducted three day agroecological training for its members and members of the Lyamungo AMCOS whereby more than 100 members participated.
Joharia Mushi, is one of the participants, she was happy with the received training on agroecology farming saying it has personally benefited her as a small-scale farmer due to its cost reduction techniques which utilizes locally available resources, reducing the need for purchased inputs, and implementing efficient practices.
Mushi said that unlike other types of farming, agroecology lowers production costs and increases profitability to small-scale farmers, urging fellow farmers to take it seriously as it can feed the nation and the world at large.
“For small-scale farmers, this type of farming is beneficial as it does not require high costs in its farming stages, from preparing the land, planting and even fertilizing. This is because we make our own fertilizers and pesticides from the materials that surround us in our environment," she explained, mentioning manure from different animals like cows as among materials that small-scale farmers can easily obtain and use to make planting and growing bio-fertilizers, as well as pesticides for various crops, as
“We have been trained on how agroecology can help to improve soil health by using techniques such as crop rotation, cover cropping, and organic composting. These practices improve soil fertility, reduce erosion, and enhance water retention, leading to healthier crops and higher yields,” said Joyce Shoo, another beneficiary of the training.
She added that they have also learned that agroecology helps in managing pests and diseases through integrated pest management (IPM), biological controls, and the use of natural pesticides, which she was also taught to make using leaves and plants found around homes and farms such as neem, aloe vera, garlic, and pepper.
“This kind of training is of great help to us as the technology helps in reducing dependency on chemical pesticides, lowers production costs and minimizes environmental impact while effectively managing pests and diseases. I encourage my fellow farmers to embrace agroecology to promote productive farming systems, food security and nutrition,” she added.
Angaifugheni Nkya said that agroecological training has helped her to address the challenges of climate change, as she has learned about conservation tillage, water management practices, and recalled the use of local crop varieties for different climatic conditions of which practices help farmers adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change, ensuring food security and stable incomes.
Victoria Ngowi is an agronomist in Kilanya village, she said through the training she learned well about community and knowledge sharing such as farmer-to-farmer training, participatory research, and local seed banks which can help small-scale farmers as well.
She said: “The knowledge I have acquired helps build strong community networks, foster knowledge exchange and empower farmers to innovate and solve problems collectively. I would like to urge farmers to practice this kind of farming to conserve the environment, maintain natural habitats, reduce chemical inputs and ensure sustainable resource management.
Agroecology helps protect local ecosystems, preserves biodiversity and ensures the long-term sustainability of farming practices, said Ngowi.
Deogratias Sang'are is an agronomist from Hai District who believes that agroecology is the solution to human health challenges.
“Nowadays, when people decide to go on dietary food, they choose to eat vegetables and fruits, but vegetables are not safe enough as a lot of chemicals are applied during its cultivation. There are some cases where farmers spray chemical pesticides in the morning and take vegetables to the market in the evening. Using vegetables that have been cultivated using natural pesticides is better because it has no harm to consumers,” said Sang'are.
He mentioned that many people have become victims of diseases, causing hospitals to be flooded with non-communicable diseases only because of the chemicals they consume through food. However, agroecology is beneficial as it starts with soil conservation and uses harmless practices.
Sang’are said agroecology offers health and nutrition by growing a variety of nutrient-rich crops and incorporating agroecological principles into home gardens which help to improve the nutritional quality of food, enhances food security, and promotes better health for farming communities.
“By integrating these agroecological practices, small-scale farmers can create more sustainable, productive, and resilient farming systems, ultimately improving their livelihoods and contributing to environmental sustainability,” said Sang’are
Malkiadi Wema, MVIWATA Coordinator in Manyara Region asserted that members agreed to practice agroecological agriculture to ensure food production is localized.
Malkiadi added that MVIWATA has embarked in a number of activities including farmer to farmer exchange missions, material support to equip agroecological production and marketing including supporting small and micro-irrigation and bio-pesticides fabrication processes locally.