A CALL FOR A TRUE AGROECOLOGY-BASED FOOD SYSTEMS TRANSFORMATION TO ENSURE FOOD SOVEREIGNTY AND RESILIENCE IN THE CAADP STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN 2026-2035
We, the participants of the two-day convening on the CAADP strategy and action plan 2026-2035 draft document (dated September 15, 2024), held in Kampala, Uganda, on October 3-4, 2024, including representatives from civil society organizations, smallholder farmers, environmentalists, researchers, pastoralists, fisherfolk, women, youth, and faith-based institutions, hereby issue this collective position statement. This statement reflects our shared vision and commitment to shaping the future of food systems in Africa, with a focus on agroecology, sustainability, and food sovereignty.
Cognizant of the shared commitment by African leaders to agricultural transformation through the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), initiated in 2003 and reaffirmed in the Malabo Declaration of 2014, we appreciate the multistakeholder consultative nature of the development of the post-Malabo agenda towards the CAADP Kampala Declaration (2026-2035).
Mindful that Africa is the most food-insecure region globally, with one in five people—around 278 million—facing hunger, it is evident that existing agricultural frameworks have not met the expected targets. To address these systemic challenges, we must radically rethink our approach, prioritizing inclusive, agroecological solutions that serve the needs of smallholder farmers, pastoralists, fisherfolk, and rural communities.
Recognizing that the CAADP strategy and action plan 2026-2035 draft document (dated September 15, 2024) emphasizes key objectives such as using the food system approach, farmer-managed seed systems, the preservation and promotion of indigenous crops, seeds, and foods, African heritage, the inclusion of youth, women, and marginalized groups, a circular food economy, as well as the promotion of public investment in Africa’s self-driven development.
Deeply concerned by the persistent disconnect between policy directives and the real needs of small-scale farmers, pastoralists, fisherfolk, and rural communities, and recognizing that past frameworks have often failed to adequately address the needs of Africa’s smallholder food producers—the backbone of our food systems—we note that the CAADP strategy and action plan 2026-2035 draft document (dated September 15, 2024), much like its predecessors, remains dominated by private sector and external corporate interests.
Troubled by the discrepancies in the document, where critical strategic interventions in the objectives are written in the draft document but excluded in the plan of action, such as the promotion of farmer-managed seed systems, climate-resilient indigenous seeds, and African food systems.
Concerned that agroecology and food sovereignty—principles and practices that resonate deeply with Africa’s small-scale producers and rural communities—are excluded in the draft document, despite all farmer organizations and CSOs requesting their inclusion through memoranda, physical meetings, and other forms of consultation.
Alarmed at the inclusion of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the increasing dependency on synthetic inputs, which threaten biodiversity, food sovereignty, water, health, and the resilience of Africa’s ecosystems.
Our Call for True Transformation
We urge the African Union Commission (AUC), member states, and all stakeholders to seize this crucial moment and adopt a truly inclusive and transformative vision for agriculture in Africa. Specifically, we call for:
- The Inclusion of Agroecology as Central to the CAADP Kampala Declaration Vision: We strongly call for agroecology to be a core strategy in the Kampala Declaration to safeguard African biodiversity, improve nutrition and health, enhance soil health, increase resilience to climate and other crises, and strengthen local food systems. Agroecology presents an opportunity to transform African agriculture sustainably, with practices rooted in the knowledge and traditions of smallholder farmers.
- Correcting the Discrepancy Between Objectives and Plan of Action: We call for immediate and decisive action to ensure that key elements of the objectives, such as the recognition of farmer-managed seed systems, farmer-led research, and African food systems, are fully integrated. It is imperative that future strategies prioritize these objectives to reflect the needs of Africa’s farmers and communities.
- Genuine and Meaningful Participation for Smallholder Farmers: We demand an end to the tokenistic inclusion of smallholder farmers and allied civil society organizations in key policy processes. The post-Malabo process must ensure that the voices of small-scale food producers are not only heard but are integral to shaping Africa’s agricultural policies.
- Establishment of an Inclusive Advisory Role for Food Producers: To address inclusivity, we propose creating an advisory council for smallholder farmers and African civil society organizations within the CAADP framework, mirroring the role currently afforded to private sector stakeholders.
- Opposition to Genetic Modification and Corporate-Controlled Food Systems: We call for stronger biosafety protocols and protection against corporate control of African genetic resources. We reject the inclusion of GMOs and corporate-driven technologies in the Kampala Declaration. These technologies promote dependency on multinational corporations for seeds and inputs and threaten local seed sovereignty and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
- Prioritization of Public Investment in Smallholder Agriculture: We urge a shift away from overreliance on private sector investments toward increased public investment in smallholder agriculture and agroecological practices. We call for a recommitment to the 10% public investment enshrined in the Maputo and Malabo Declarations. Investments must prioritize small-scale farmers, women, youth, and rural communities to ensure a resilient and self-sufficient African food system.
- Investment in Farmer-Managed Seed Systems and Biofertilizers: We call for public sector investment and subsidies for farmer-managed seed systems, as well as for organic and biofertilizers, to ensure healthy soils and resilience.
We believe that the future of African agriculture and food systems must reflect the needs and aspirations of its farmers, communities, and cultural and environmental heritage. We call upon the AUC and all stakeholders to ensure that the Kampala Declaration is not merely another document, but a turning point that puts people, communities, and the environment at the heart of African agriculture and food systems.
We commit to continuing collaboration and support for the successful implementation of the CAADP Kampala Declaration.
Signed by representatives of the following 358 organisations:
- ABDP
- Académie Paysanne Nénonéné
- Action Contre la Faim, Bureau Régional Afrique de l’Ouest et du Centre
- Action pour la Restauration de la paix et la Justice (ARPJ)
- ActionAid Sénégal
- Addis Ababa university
- ADeD ( Actions pour le Développement Durable)
- ADEPA
- Africa 2000 Network Uganda
- Africa Humanitarian Development Peace Organization-AHDPO
- African Biodiversity Network (ABN)
- African Centre for Biodiversity (ACB)
- African Narrative Media Group
- African Resource Group Consulting Firm
- Agir Pour La Sécurité Et La Souveraineté Alimentaire (ASSA)
- Agrecir
- Agri Service Ethiopia
- Agricultural Non-State Actors Forum (ANSAF)
- Agriculture Research Center
- AGRIDIVERSITY TANZANIA
- AGRIVISEN
- Agro Bio Solution (ABS)
- Agroecology Coalition
- Agroforestry Regeneration Communities
- Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA)
- Alternative Espaces Citoyens
- Amaselwa Holdings
- American University
- APDIK asbl, Association paysanne pour le développement intégré au sud-Kivu
- Apiro Bees Products Ltd
- ARDAP
- Association Abeille Tropicale du Faso
- Association Action Verte
- Association ECO-IMPACT
- Association Koglzanga Feminin pour le Development
- Association Nationale d’Actions Environnementales (ANAE)
- Association Nourrir Sans Détruire
- Association of Social Entrepreneurs in Vihiga
- Association Ouest Africaine pour le Développement de la Pêche Artisanale (ADEPA)
- Association Paysanne pour le Développement Intégré du Sud Kivu (APDIK)
- Association Piela-Bilanga (APB)
- Association pour le Développement Intégral et Durable
- Association Tunisienne de Permaculture
- Bafo and Busi Organic Farming
- Barefoot Guide Connection
- Bata Chia Seed Producers And Exporters Co-Operative Society Ltd
- Batuboine Nduhukire Farm Enterprise
- BeGlad Enterprises
- Best Practice Association
- Biodiversity and Biosafety Association of Kenya
- Biodiversity and Biosafety Coalition of Kenya (BIBA)
- Biolamessin
- BIOPROTECT
- Biowatch South Africa
- Biru Melka Consultancy service
- Bridge community
- BRIDGE COMMUNITY
- Cabinet d’Expertise Six Sigma
- Cabinet Karen Tshitok & Associé.e.s
- CAMV
- CAPAS
- Carbon Drawdown Limited
- Catholic Relief Service/CRS/
- CEAS BURKINA
- Center for Community Resilience
- Center for Opportunities and Rural Development
- Centre agroécologique SAVE CLIME FOUNDATION
- CENTRE DE PROMOTION RURALE D’IDJWI “CPR Idjwi-3ème CBCA
- Centre de Recherche pour la Gestion de la Biodiversité (CRGB)
- Centre for Agroecology and Regenerative Enterprises
- Centre for Ecosystems Research and Development, Uganda
- Centre for Gender and Community Development in Zimbabwe
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique et Technologique
- Centre Polyvalent de Formation de Mbouo
- Chambre d’Agriculture de Madagascar
- CHANGE
- CICODEV Africa
- CIFOR-ICRAF
- CIKOD
- Civil Society Agrarian Partnership (CSAP)
- Civil Society Agrarian Partnership (CSAP)
- CNABio
- CNCPRT
- CNOPCAM
- CNRST
- Coalition pour la Protection du Patrimoine Génétique Africain (COPAGEN)
- COFECCC2
- Comité Ouest Africain de Semences Paysannes (COASP)
- Commonwealth Veterans
- Community Alliance for Global Justice
- Community Alliance for Global Justice (CAGJ)
- Community Technology Development Trust (CTDT)
- Comparing and Supporting Endogenous Development (COMPAS Africa)
- Congo Basin Conservation Society CBCS network
- Conseil National de Concertation et de Coopération des Ruraux (CNCR)
- Conseils Assistance Réalisation Expertise (CARE)
- Conseils pour un Développement Utile en Afrique (Code Utile Afrique)-ONG
- Consortium des Organisations des Femmes Rurales Leaders du Burkina Faso
- Coopérative viimbaore/Naam
- Coordination Nationale des jeunes pour l’environnement et le Climat (CONAJEC)
- COU-TEDDO
- CRSFPC/Usoforal
- CSIR Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute
- CTS
- Cultivate!
- CUMA
- Development Fund of Norway
- DIOBASS KIVU
- Dynamique Femme et Famille en sigle DFF-OPAS
- EarthLore Foundation (RF) NPC
- Eastern and Southern Africa Pastoralist Network (ESAPN)
- Eastern and Southern Africa Small Scale Farmers Forum (ESAFF)
- EasyZambia
- Ecasard
- Echo East Africa Impact Center
- Eco-justice Ethiopia
- Ecological Irganic Agriculture Initiative
- ÉGLISE ANGLICANE DU BURUNDI-DIOCESE DE BUJUMBURA
- EIAR
- Empowering
- Emrich agro ecological farms u ltd
- Enda Pronat
- ENSA Thiès, Senegal
- Environmenntal Sustainabilty Agency
- Environment Africa
- Environmental Management Trust
- ESAFF
- ESAFF Uganda
- Essymart Africa
- Eswatini National Agricultural Union
- EWDE
- EXPERTA TOGO AGRO
- FACHIG
- Facilitation For Peace and Development (FAPAD)- Uganda
- FAEB(Fédération Agroecologique du Bénin)
- Fahamu – Nous Sommes la Solution
- Fair River Int Association for Development (FARIAD)
- Faith & Justice Network of the Mano River Basin (FJN)
- Fambidzanai Permaculture Training Centre
- Family Farming Platform Sierra Leone
- FAO-NU
- Farmers Association Of Zambia
- Farmers Union Network Liberia (FUNL)
- Fédération Agroécologique du Bénin (FAEB)
- Fellowship of Christian Councils and Churches in West Africa (FECCIWA)
- FENAB
- Ferme Niima
- FIAN Uganda
- Fondation Stamm
- Food & Environment Enterprise Trust
- Food Rights Alliance
- ForestFoods Kenya Limited
- Friend of Earth Togo
- Friends of the Earth Africa (FoEA)
- Gabon Environnement
- Gathengera Practical Permaculture Center
- Gie Ballal
- Gie les maraîchers de lendeng Rufisque
- GiveLove Uganda
- Global Communities
- Glowish Agro Solutions
- Green Agriculture Youth Organization
- GreenHarvest Spaces
- Greenheart Organics
- GreenImpact
- Groundswell International et ANSD
- Groundswell West Africa (GWA)
- GROUPE AGROFORESTERIE ET ENVIRONNEMENT BALANDINE.
- Groupe d’Actions Ecologiques
- Groupe D’initiatives pour le Progrès Social WAR
- Groupe de réflexion et d’action contre la pauvreté et l’exclusion sociale
- Groupe Mamans Tabita
- Grow Biointensive agriculture center of kenya
- GROW West Africa
- Growth Partners Africa
- GSDM, Professionnels de l’agroécologie
- GT2050
- GUAMINA
- Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF)
- HEFO
- Hope for Rural Women Assembly
- Humundi
- Îles de Paix
- Iles de Paix- Tanzania
- Inades-Formation Tchad
- Indigenous Peoples of Africa Coordinating Committee (IPACC)
- Indigenous Women and Girls Initiative
- Initiative De Restauration D’espoir Et De Développement Intégral
- Initiatives et Actions pour le Développement Local (IADL asbl)
- Institut Africain pour le Développement Economique et Social (INADES)
- Institut d’Economie Rurale (IER)
- Institut Universitaire Evangélique du Cameroun
- Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
- International Youth Alliance For Development IYA4D
- IREDI
- IRPAD Afrique
- Islamic Relief
- ISRA
- JAAES
- Jeunes Volontaires pour l’Environnement (JVE International)
- JVE GABON
- Kaarokarungi Initiatives Development Organization
- Kangemi Grassroot Human Rights Movement
- Kapiri Ecovillage Empowerment Programmes
- Kapyanga Women’s Association
- Keepers Zambia Foundation
- Kenya Food Rights Alliance
- Kenyan Peasants League (KPL)
- Khumbilo Agroecology Media Services
- Kijani Pamoja
- Kikandwa Environmental Association
- Kinders Abet Zambia
- Kitui County Government
- Kivu Green Coffee, Forestiers Du Monde
- KPL
- L’ONG GUAMINA
- La Via Campesina Africa (LVC Africa)
- Landless People’s Movement
- LCAEBIO
- Lepogo LA Thaba Pty Ltd
- Let’s Eat (Pty) Ltd/ EOA-I of African Union
- LID Agency
- Loctaguna Organics
- LVCSEAF/African Women’s Collaborative for Healthy Food Systems
- MELCA-Ethiopia/ NABU-Ethiopia
- Methodist Development and Relief Agency
- MIICO
- MINAGRI
- Mother Earth Malawi
- Mouvement écologique du Burkina (MEcB)
- Mutara Orchards Limited
- MVIWAARUSHA
- MVIWAKI
- Myagro
- National Alliance for Agroecology the Gambia (NAAG)
- National Centre of Applied Research for Rural Development (FOFIFA)
- NAVODA
- NeverEndingFood Permaculture
- NOGAMU
- North African Food Sovereignty Network (NAFSN)
- Nourrir Sans Détruire (ANSD)
- Nous Sommes La Solution (NSS)
- Nsonga Cassava Growers
- Nyahode Union Learning Centre – NULC
- Offinso Partners in Sustainable Development
- ONG APIL BURKINA
- ONG ASMADE
- Ong Centre Reines Daura
- Organic Advanced Solutions
- Oromia Agricultural Research Institute
- Pan African Farmers Organization (PAFO)
- Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM Uganda)
- Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Association
- PELUM Burundi
- PELUM Ethiopia
- PELUM Uganda
- PELUM Zimbabwe
- Pesticide Action Nexus Association
- Phawu AgriPak
- PHE Ethiopia Consortium
- Piment Solidaire
- Plantation Nurseries
- Plate-forme Régionale des Organisations Paysannes d’Afrique Centrale (PROPAC)
- Plateforme paysanne du Niger
- Point vert du Sénégal (PVS)
- Population Health and Environment Ethiopia Consortium (PHE-EC)
- PORET Trust
- PROGRAMME D’ACTIONS LOCALES (PAL)
- Prolific Innovations Limited
- Qazanah Waves
- RADD
- Reach for Change
- Regenerate Earth
- Regional Schools and Colleges Permaculture Programme (ReSCOPE)
- REJEPPAT
- Réseau Africain pour le Droit à l’Alimentation (RAPDA –Togo)
- Réseau des Acteurs de la FAR au Senegal (FARSEN)
- Réseau JINUKUN-COPAGEN
- Reseau Nigerien des Defenseurs des Droits Humains (RNDDH)
- RESILIENCE CLIMATIQUE ET DEVELOPPMENT DURABLE
- Resilient40 (R40)
- Ripple Effect
- Ripple Effect Burundi
- RODI Kenya
- Rural Community In Development (RUCID)
- Rural Women Farmers Association/We Are The Solution – Ghana
- Rural Women’s Assembly (RWA)
- RuralAgri Projects
- Rwanda Climate Change and Development Network (RCCDN)
- SACET Sustainable Solutions Ltd.
- SAFAS
- Sahara Sahel Foods
- Samoc-Agrotech Uganda
- SAOSO FOUNDATION
- SCOOPS-FFIMA
- Seed and Knowledge Initiative (SKI)
- Seed Savers Network, Kenya (SSNK)
- Seeds for Life
- SERA G GWOMUNAYE FOOD PRODUCTS
- Shirikisho La Vyama Vya Wakulima Tanzania (SHIWAKUTA)
- SLOW FOOD YOUTH NETWORK RDC (SFYN RDC)
- Social Innovation Academy
- Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI)
- Southern African Wildlife College & Regenerative Conservation Solutions
- Spiked Online Media
- SPONG
- Station Bovine Ankoh
- Stichting Wageningen Research Ethiopia
- Sustainable Agriculture Foundation
- Sustainable Development Initiative (SDI)
- Swaziland Rural Women’s Assembly
- Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM)
- SYNERGIE PAYSANNE (SYNPA-TOGO)
- SYNTAP
- Tanzania Alliance for Biodiversity (TABIO)
- Tanzania Foundation For The New Generation Organisation (Tafonego)
- Taraji Sustainable ltd
- TBZ Feed the Poor
- Terre & Humanisme
- The Food Bridge
- The Sustainable Life Project NPC
- Tipi
- TOP FARM
- Topazi Trading Pty Ltd
- Towards Sustainable Use of Resources of Resources Organisation Trust
- Transformative Youth Network (TRAYON)
- TSURO TRUST
- U Can Grow Africa
- Ubuntu Media
- UCDA
- UFAAS
- Ukuvuna Harvests NPC
- Umzimvubu Agroecology Network
- Union Africaine des Consommateurs (UAC)
- Union of Ethiopian Women and Children Association (UEWCA)
- Université de Parakou
- Université du Sine Saloum El Hadji Ibrahima Niass
- University of Gondar
- University of Pretoria
- Urban Farming Projects
- UROPC-M
- We Effect
- WePlanet
- WLT and Global Peace Lets Talk
- Women and Land in Zimbabwe
- Women Empowered
- WOMEN ENVIRONS IN ZAMBIA
- World Neighbors
- World Resources Institute, WRI-Kenya
- World Vision Zambia
- Xhamla Mzantsi Farming Cooperative
- Young Indigenous Leaders For Nature And Climate
- Youth Initiative for Land in Africa (YILAA)
- Zambia Alliance for Agroecology and Biodiversity (ZAAB)
- Zambian Governance Foundation for Civil Society
- Zimbabwe Smallholder Organic Farmers Forum
- Ziva kwawakabva
- Zubo Trust
