CEFROHT Champions Agroecology at Landmark AEF Tripartite Event in Harare

The Centre for Food and Adequate Living Rights (CEFROHT) joined forces with agroecology advocates and grassroots movements from across Africa at the Agroecology Fund (AEF) Tripartite Event in Harare, Zimbabwe, from 16–19 September 2024. This pivotal continental gathering united farmers’ organisations, civil society networks, legal experts, donors, researchers, and policy advocates for three major concurrent events: the African Agroecology Entrepreneurship and Territorial Markets Forum, the Harare Seed and Food Festival, and the 5th Biennial African Food Systems Celebration.

With over 100 participants from across Africa, the event fostered vibrant exchanges on building equitable, sustainable, and locally rooted food systems. Attendees engaged in panel discussions, peer-to-peer learning, and reflective dialogues, sharing proven models to advance agroecology as both a livelihood strategy and a tool for food sovereignty.

Key themes included empowering smallholder farmers—particularly women and youth—through agroecological entrepreneurship, the vital role of territorial markets in scaling sustainable practices, and overcoming challenges in post-harvest handling, value addition, and market access. Discussions also highlighted farmer-led research, community seed banks, and agroecological certification to preserve indigenous knowledge.

A recurring emphasis was the need to connect agroecological production with local markets, improve resource access, and safeguard farmers’ control over land, seeds, and production systems. Legal and policy frameworks took centre stage, with CEFROHT and fellow experts examining how laws can enable or hinder agroecology. Critical issues included legal recognition of agroecology in agricultural policies, protection of communal land rights, seed sovereignty laws, and policies supporting territorial markets and climate adaptation.

A landmark outcome was the launch of the Pan-African Legal Network on Agroecology, led by CEFROHT. This pioneering initiative unites legal experts, human rights lawyers, and farmer movements to advance agroecology through policy advocacy and litigation. The network aims to harmonise agroecology laws across Africa, defend farmers’ rights, and engage continental bodies like the African Union and ECOWAS.

Participants called for stronger government commitment to agroecology, urging policymakers to allocate resources and institutional support. Donors were also encouraged to adopt long-term, flexible funding models centred on grassroots leadership.

CEFROHT’s participation underscored its commitment to using legal frameworks to promote agroecology as a sustainable, rights-based alternative to industrial agriculture. The Harare convening not only celebrated Africa’s food diversity but also marked a strategic step toward transforming food systems through justice, sovereignty, and ecological resilience.