VIRTUAL CONFERENCE: Shaping the Future of Food Markets for Agroecology in Africa

27-29 October 2020. Shaping the Future of Food Markets for Agroecology in Africa : A virtual
conference

This conference will lay out the challenges facing African markets, shape the markets we want to see in the future, and work out how to get there. It will be the first of its kind in delivery, content and participation, with thousands of participants engaging across the discussions, competitions and celebrations before and during the conference.

Extracts of the programme

27/10 Day 1: Understanding African markets and trends
What are the most important characteristics of African Markets? And their strengths and weaknesses?
What do we see as the characteristics of African markets of the future in the transition to agroecology?

GRAIN (2018) Supermarkets out of Africa! Food systems across the continent are doing just fine without them Susan Nakacwa (GRAIN), Uganda, 17 pages
The report explores the liberalization of the food sector through free trade agreements, the rapid growth of supermarkets, the push for processed food, sidelining agroecologically produced food, harming smallholder farmers and informal trade.

27/10 Three parallel side events

Revitalisation of indigenous & African food cultures

There has been a steady shift from traditional / indigenous production and eating patterns to “modern” patterns. This discussion reflects on a reawakening on agro-ecological production, consumption and marketing of indigenous/African foods

Moderator: Andrew Bennie (African Centre for Biodiversity), South Africa
Bibi Giyosi (NEPAD), Botwana
Prof Cecilia Onyango, (Barefoot Guide), Kenya Indigenous foods in Africa are prominent cultural signifiers for the various ethnic groups.

Challenging the feed the world narrative: blockchain technology vs trading in territorial markets

At the 2021 Summit, the advocates of Nature-Based Solutions are rolling out an elaborate mirage of the food system they say will feed the world but not until long past 2030. Challenging this technocratic myth is the much more efficient and effective strategy for territorial market

Moderator: Ibrahima Coulibaly, (CNOP), Mali
Pat Mooney, ETC Group

Harnessing networks & technology to link small-scale or emerging producers directly to markets

New technology offer farmers real opportunities to expand their business. In this talk Naudé will show how to use SMS, WhatsApp, Facebook and websites to reach clients and build markets. Smallscale farmers can deliver food at competitive prices to local consumers. This talk will show how to build these systems and profit from them!

Moderator: Leonida Odongo, Kenya
Dr Naude Malan, University of Johannesburg, South Africa

28/10 Day 2: Shaping the future of markets for the transition to agroecology

What are the key changes that need to happen to strengthen African markets for the transition to agroecology?
How can the strengthening of African Markets promote/protect farmers’ and consumers’ rights?
What are the enablers and hindrances to the expansion and success of African Markets?

28/10 Three parallel side events

Supporting the farmer: Building new value chains for agroecological produce

Moderator: Jen Astone (Integrated Capital Investing), USA
Charles Dhewa (Knowledge Transfer Africa), Zimbabwe
Hervé Bouagnimbeck (Groupement d’appui pour le développement durable), Cameroon

Practical insights: building local markets in the age of big retail

This presentation will showcase "food scandals" that GRAIN and the Citizens and Agroecology working group have worked on mapping in 2020.

Moderator: Sabrina Masinjila (African Centre for Biodiversity), Tanzania
Susan Nakacwa (GRAIN), Uganda

The practicalities of place: exploring approaches to the localisation of food

Establishing and connecting new markets is key to recalibrating local food systems and building resilience within the failings of the existing system and in the wake of COVID19.

Moderator: Dr Luke Metelerkamp, Rhodes University, South Africa
Speaker: Dr Scott Drimie, (Southern Africa Food Lab), South Africa

29/10 Day 3: Changing policy towards markets for heathy food systems

How can we illustrate to key decision-makers that African markets are an integral part of resilient food systems?
What kind of investment is needed to strengthen African markets for the transition to agroecology?
What should AFSA be focusing on in the next 5 years to strengthen agroecological markets

29/10

Keynote address 4

Changing policy towards markets for healthy food systems