Female farmers in Sierra Leone. Agriculture should be one of the main levers of development on the continent, IAM states.
Photo: ©Sebastian Liste/NOOR for FAO

International Agroecological Movement for Africa

A coalition of private and public actors from all parts of the agricultural value chain have committed to the protection of biodiversity and the development of sustainable agricultural sectors.

A new coalition dedicated to agroecology was launched in January 2021: The International Agroecological Movement for Africa (IAM Africa). More than a hundred European and African actors have signed a charter of commitment to the development of the agro-pastoral sectors in Africa, particularly in the Sahel. The initiative aims to resize and strengthen agricultural cooperation between Europe and Africa while ensuring the protection of biodiversity, a global common good.

A paradigm shift appears indispensable


The recent health crisis has revealed the resilient capacities of African agriculture. Faced with the closing of borders, the drop in purchasing power of urban areas, major disruptions on the international market of raw materials and the availability of agricultural labour generally unaffected both by the virus and the traffic restrictions, the high demand for food products in cities has been a powerful incentive to the increase and flow of local production.

Under these conditions, more than ever, agriculture should be one of the main levers of development on the continent. A paradigm shift appears indispensable, IAM states. Thus, the modernisation of this sector, particularly through agroecology, digital agriculture and social business, must once again become a priority. It is an economic, social, environmental, security and democratic issue. A significant part of IAM activities will be the responsibility of local actors, by promoting technology transfers and appropriating the know-how necessary for sustainable implementation of the agricultural and livestock production sectors.

Fostering development in the Sahelian strip


The signatory partners of this coalition specifically commit themselves to participate in achieving the 2030 objectives of “the Great Green Wall”. The Sahelian strip is identified as one of the global "hotspots" of climate change. In this region, it is essential to provide answers to the tensions on natural resources in order to meet the objectives of sustainable development and preserve biodiversity. The structuring of agro-livestock value chains that encourage the deployment of agroecological practices and the creation of decent and sustainable jobs will be an important response to the adaptation of the region's populations and to mitigating the effects of climate change, particularly in terms of migration flows and security challenges.

The multilateral initiative was formalised in the presence of the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, the President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Mohamed Ould Cheikh El-Ghazaouani, and HRH The Prince of Wales.

(IAM/ile)

Visit IAM Africa website (in French only)

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