Key Takeaways:
- African farmers benefit from regenerative agriculture but need improved access to technology.
- Smallholder farmers discussed barriers and policy needs at the Second Roundtable of African Farmers.
- Participants called for policies promoting outcome-driven, technology-neutral, and evidence-based agricultural solutions.
- Government and private sector collaboration is critical to building infrastructure and providing financial support to smallholders.
- Diverse practices, including crop rotation, no-till farming, and greenhouse technology, are essential for tackling climate change.
Smallholder farmers across Sub-Saharan Africa are benefiting from regenerative agriculture through a variety of practices, but the need for better access to technology remains a critical challenge. This was a key conclusion from the Second Roundtable of African Farmers, co-organized by the Pontifical Academy for Life, Bayer, the Global Farmer Network, World Farmers’ Organization, the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).
Farmers from countries including Ivory Coast, Lesotho, Mali, Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda, and Zambia met with international policymakers and stakeholders to discuss how to broaden the application of regenerative agricultural practices and improve food security in Africa. The focus was on addressing the barriers that prevent smallholder farmers from fully embracing regenerative practices.
Call for Policy Changes
At the roundtable, the farmers emphasized the importance of government policies that are technology-neutral, evidence-based, and outcome-driven. They called on African governments to enable wider adoption of regenerative agriculture by providing access to the necessary tools and technologies, customized to the specific needs of farmers.
Debra Mallowah, Head of Bayer’s Crop Science Division for Africa, highlighted the urgency of addressing the needs of smallholder farmers: “The vast majority of food in Africa is produced by smallholders. It’s crucial to listen to them and understand the significant challenges they face, particularly in the context of climate change.”
Mallowah stressed that collaboration among governments, the private sector, research institutions, and civil society is essential to building infrastructure, fostering innovation, and supporting capacity-building efforts. “Creating an enabling environment for farmers will benefit not only them but also the wider community,” she added.
Diverse Practices for Resilience
Farmers at the roundtable showcased a range of regenerative practices they are using to improve soil health, enhance crop yields, and increase resilience against climate change. Zambian farmer Elisha Lewanika highlighted crop rotation as a key method to maintain soil fertility: “Alternating nitrogen-fixing crops with cereals helps sustain soil productivity while reducing tillage minimizes erosion and preserves soil structure.”
Similarly, Matente Kethisa from Lesotho emphasized the importance of soil conservation: “In my community, we prioritize soil health through practices like mulching, no-till farming, and nutrient management. These methods are crucial in tackling the effects of climate change.”
Nigerian farmer Stella Thomas pointed to the potential of genetically modified (GMO) crops to further enhance sustainability: “With GMO crops, we can use fewer herbicides and insecticides, which will increase both productivity and sustainability, especially in regions facing drought and pest challenges.”
Amadou Sidibe, a farmer from Mali, emphasized the benefits of greenhouse technology: “While heavy rainfall and flooding have affected many regions, our greenhouses have remained resilient. They also make highly efficient use of water during dry periods, a critical asset in an increasingly unpredictable climate.”
Overcoming Barriers
Despite the success of these diverse approaches, African farmers face several barriers to fully implementing regenerative agriculture. Limited access to modern technologies, inadequate infrastructure, low public and private investment in research and development, and a lack of financial services such as loans and insurance all hinder progress.
The farmers urged governments and financial institutions to provide greater support, including low-interest loans, grants, and insurance products specifically designed for smallholders. They also called for expanded education and training through demonstration farms, digital platforms, and extension services to equip farmers with the knowledge and skills necessary for sustainable farming.
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