{"id":885,"date":"2026-09-12T04:02:27","date_gmt":"2026-09-12T04:02:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/baridiwomen.org\/?p=885"},"modified":"2026-09-12T04:02:27","modified_gmt":"2026-09-12T04:02:27","slug":"from-the-farm-to-the-food-system-why-agroecology-matters-for-climate-resilience-and-community-development","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/baridiwomen.org\/index.php\/2026\/09\/12\/from-the-farm-to-the-food-system-why-agroecology-matters-for-climate-resilience-and-community-development\/","title":{"rendered":"From the Farm to the Food System: Why Agroecology Matters for Climate Resilience and Community Development"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n

What happens when the soil beneath a farmer’s feet becomes less fertile, rainfall becomes increasingly unpredictable, biodiversity declines and the cost of agricultural inputs continues to rise?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is tempting to see these as separate problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are interconnected parts of a food system under increasing pressure from environmental, economic and social change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was one of the central reflections emerging from the  capacity-building training for Civil Society Organisations on budget tracking, climate change adaptation and agroecology, organized by DaCCA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After two days of examining climate change, its impacts, financing and the importance of climate-responsive development, Day 3 brought the conversation closer to one of the most fundamental questions of community resilience:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do we produce food in ways that sustain both people and the ecosystems on which their livelihoods depend?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer explored during the training was not a single technology or farming technique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was a systems approach: agroecology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Agroecology<\/strong> is more than a way of farming<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Agroecology brings ecological principles and social considerations into the design and management of sustainable food and agricultural systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It asks us to look beyond production alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of viewing a farm simply as a place where crops are grown, agroecology considers the relationships among crops, livestock, soil, water, biodiversity, people, knowledge, markets and the wider landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This systems perspective is important because agriculture does not operate in isolation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A farmer depends on healthy soil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Healthy soil depends on biological processes and appropriate land management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Agricultural production depends on water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Water security is influenced by ecosystems and land use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Household food security depends not only on production, but also on income, access, markets and nutrition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And all of these systems are increasingly being affected by climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) describes agroecology as an approach that optimizes interactions between plants, animals, humans and the environment while addressing the social dimensions of sustainable and equitable food systems. It emphasizes that agroecological approaches are context-specific rather than a fixed package of technologies or practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This distinction matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Agroecology is not about telling every farmer to adopt exactly the same practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is about asking:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does a resilient, sustainable and equitable food system look like in this particular place?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Connecting agroecology to the Sustainable Development Goals<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the most significant lessons from Day 3 was the extent to which agroecology intersects with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At first glance, agriculture may appear to relate primarily to SDG 2: Zero Hunger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But a systems perspective reveals a much wider connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SDG 1 \u2014 No Poverty<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For rural households, agriculture is both a source of food and a source of income.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Approaches that reduce unnecessary input costs, strengthen resilience and improve the sustainability of livelihoods can contribute to greater economic security for food producers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SDG 2 \u2014 Zero Hunger<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Agroecology can support food security and nutrition through diversified production, sustainable use of natural resources, improved soil health and the use of locally adapted knowledge and resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SDG 3 \u2014 Good Health and Well-being<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The health of food systems is connected to human health. Agroecological approaches can reduce dependence on potentially harmful agricultural inputs while supporting healthier and more diverse food systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SDG 5 \u2014 Gender Equality<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Women play significant roles across food systems\u2014from production and processing to household nutrition and markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For agroecology to contribute meaningfully to development, women must not simply be considered beneficiaries. They must be recognized as knowledge holders, producers, decision-makers and agents of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SDG 6 \u2014 Clean Water and Sanitation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Healthy soils and sustainable agricultural practices can improve water-use efficiency, reduce pollution and strengthen the capacity of agricultural systems to retain water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SDG 12 \u2014 Responsible Consumption and Production<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Agroecology promotes more sustainable production and consumption systems, including diversification, reduced waste, shorter value chains and the protection of local food traditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SDG 13 \u2014 Climate Action<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This connection is particularly important for our work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Agroecological systems can strengthen resilience and adaptation by diversifying production, reducing dependence on fossil-fuel-intensive inputs and supporting ecosystem functions that underpin agricultural productivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SDG 15 \u2014 Life on Land<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Agriculture depends on biodiversity, while agricultural practices can either support or undermine it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Agroecology seeks to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystem services that are fundamental to food production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lesson is therefore clear:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Agroecology is not confined to SDG 2. It is a pathway through which multiple development objectives can be pursued simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Biodiversity<\/strong> is not separate from food security<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The discussion on biodiversity added another important layer to our understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is easy to think of biodiversity as something that belongs in forests, wildlife reserves or conservation programmes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But biodiversity is also working quietly within agricultural landscapes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pollinators support crop production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soil organisms contribute to soil health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Different plant species can support nutrient cycling and reduce vulnerability to pests and diseases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trees can provide shade, improve landscapes and contribute to ecosystem functions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Livestock and crops can interact within integrated systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, biodiversity is not merely something agriculture should protect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Agriculture depends on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FAO highlights diversification and biodiversity as important features of agroecological systems because they can strengthen ecosystem services, resource-use efficiency and resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This has significant implications for climate adaptation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When agricultural systems become more diverse and ecologically functional, they can be better positioned to absorb and recover from shocks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 10 Elements: moving from principles to systems thinking<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 3 also introduced us to the 10 Elements of Agroecology, a framework developed by FAO to guide transitions towards sustainable food and agricultural systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elements are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Diversity<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Co-creation and sharing of knowledge<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Synergies<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Efficiency<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Recycling<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Resilience<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Human and social values<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Culture and food traditions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Responsible governance<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. Circular and solidarity economy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The significance of these elements is not simply in memorizing ten terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They provide a way of thinking about agricultural systems as interconnected ecological, economic and social systems. FAO emphasizes that the elements are interlinked and interdependent and can help policymakers, practitioners and other stakeholders plan and evaluate agroecological transitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For civil society, this is particularly valuable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It means that when assessing an agricultural intervention, we can ask more than:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow much food will this project produce?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We can also ask:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Does it strengthen biodiversity?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Does it improve soil health?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Does it use resources efficiently?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Does it build resilience?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Whose knowledge informs the intervention?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Are women and other groups meaningfully involved?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Does it strengthen local livelihoods?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Does it respect local food cultures?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Are communities involved in decision-making?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Does value remain within local economies?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These questions move us from measuring agricultural activity to examining the sustainability and resilience of the system itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does agroecology look like in practice?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The training explored a range of approaches that can contribute to agroecological transitions, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conservation tillage \u2014 reducing soil disturbance and supporting soil health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Agroforestry \u2014 integrating trees with crops and\/or livestock to provide multiple ecological and livelihood benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crop-livestock integration \u2014 creating complementary relationships between crop and livestock production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Biological management \u2014 using ecological processes and biological approaches to manage pests and maintain system health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Organic farming \u2014 emphasizing ecological processes and limiting reliance on synthetic inputs, within appropriate standards and context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Permaculture \u2014 designing productive systems around ecological relationships, resource efficiency and sustainability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Holistic landscape management \u2014 looking beyond individual farms to the wider landscape and the interaction between agriculture, ecosystems, water and communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use of local resources and renewable energy \u2014 reducing dependence on external and fossil-fuel-intensive inputs where locally appropriate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We also encountered approaches such as precision agriculture, sustainable intensification and bio-intensive agriculture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Importantly, these should not be treated as automatic labels for agroecology. Their contribution depends on how, where and why they are applied and whether they support the ecological, social and economic principles underpinning an agroecological transition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That distinction is important because agroecology is not a checklist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is a way of designing and transforming food systems around ecological sustainability, resilience and social equity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Agroecology and climate resilience<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The connection between agroecology and climate change became particularly clear during the day’s discussions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Climate change creates uncertainty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farmers may experience changes in rainfall patterns, prolonged dry periods, flooding, changing temperatures and other pressures that affect production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A system that depends heavily on a single crop, a narrow range of inputs or highly predictable environmental conditions can be particularly exposed to such shocks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diversification, healthy soils, efficient resource use, biodiversity and strong local knowledge can provide different pathways for strengthening resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This does not mean agroecology eliminates climate risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It means that agricultural systems can be deliberately designed to reduce vulnerability and improve their capacity to adapt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And that distinction is crucial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Climate resilience is not simply about recovering after a shock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is about building systems that are better prepared to absorb, adapt to and respond to change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why this matters to Baridi Kwa Baridi<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Baridi Kwa Baridi, the relevance of agroecology goes beyond agriculture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our work is rooted in communities, and community resilience is inseparable from the systems that sustain people’s everyday lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Food insecurity can affect household wellbeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Loss of agricultural income can increase economic vulnerability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Water insecurity can increase the burden of unpaid care and domestic work, particularly for women and girls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Environmental degradation can undermine livelihoods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Climate shocks can deepen existing inequalities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means that a climate-resilient development agenda must consider not only infrastructure and environmental protection, but also who produces food, who controls resources, who carries the burden when systems fail, and who participates in decisions about solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The social dimensions of agroecology therefore matter as much as the ecological ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FAO’s framework explicitly incorporates human and social values, culture and food traditions, responsible governance, and circular and solidarity economies alongside ecological characteristics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This resonates strongly with a community-based approach to development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From learning to action: what should come next?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The value of capacity building is ultimately determined by what happens after the training room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Baridi Kwa Baridi, the next step is therefore not simply to add \u201cagroecology\u201d to our list of areas of knowledge.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It is to ask how agroecological thinking can strengthen the way we work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Bring agroecology into community conversations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Communities already possess knowledge about soils, crops, livestock, seasons, food systems and local ecosystems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our role should be to create spaces where this knowledge can interact with scientific and technical knowledge rather than treating communities as passive recipients of solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FAO similarly emphasizes co-creation and sharing of knowledge, including the recognition of farmers and food producers as knowledge holders and innovators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Connect agroecology to our climate advocacy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we advocate for climate adaptation, we should consider what adaptation means for local food systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we discuss resilience, we should consider farmers’ livelihoods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we discuss environmental protection, we should consider the ecosystems that support food production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we discuss climate finance, we should ask whether resources are reaching locally appropriate, resilient and sustainable agricultural interventions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Strengthen the climate lens in budget advocacy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our earlier learning on budget tracking becomes even more relevant here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If climate-resilient agriculture is a priority, where is it in the budget?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If soil and water conservation are priorities, what resources support them?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If farmers are expected to adapt to climate change, what investments are being made to enable that adaptation?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is where knowledge of agroecology, climate change and public finance begins to converge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Put women and communities at the centre<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A transition to more resilient food systems cannot succeed if the people most affected by decisions are excluded from making them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Baridi, this means paying particular attention to the participation, knowledge, priorities and economic realities of women and other groups whose lives and livelihoods are closely connected to food systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Generate evidence from Busia<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps most importantly, there is an opportunity to move from discussing agroecology in abstract terms to understanding what is already happening in Busia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What practices are farmers already using?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which traditional practices support resilience?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What prevents farmers from adopting sustainable practices?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role are women and young people playing?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What climate risks are farmers experiencing?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which county programmes support resilient agriculture?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What resources are being allocated?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And where are the gaps?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are questions that can inform stronger advocacy grounded in local evidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The larger lesson<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 3 has expanded our understanding of what climate resilience means.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not only about responding to floods, droughts or other climate hazards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is also about examining the systems that determine how communities experience those hazards\u2014and strengthening those systems before the next shock occurs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A resilient food system is therefore part of a resilient community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And a resilient community is part of a resilient county.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Baridi Kwa Baridi, this reinforces the importance of connecting the different strands of our work rather than treating them as separate agendas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Food security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Women’s livelihoods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Biodiversity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Public finance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Community participation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Governance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are not isolated issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They intersect in the lives of the people we serve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the training ends our focus is increasingly shifting from acquiring knowledge to considering how that knowledge can inform our practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The challenge ahead is to move from learning to application; from application to evidence; and from evidence to stronger advocacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because ultimately, the goal is not simply to produce more food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is to build food systems capable of sustaining people, livelihoods and ecosystems in a changing climate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And for Baridi Kwa Baridi, that means ensuring that the communities whose resilience we advocate for are not only consulted about the future but they are equipped, resourced and empowered to shape it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
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What happens when the soil beneath a farmer’s feet becomes less fertile, rainfall becomes increasingly unpredictable, biodiversity declines and the cost of agricultural inputs continues to rise? It is tempting to see these as separate problems. They are not. They are interconnected parts of a food system under increasing pressure from environmental, economic and social […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":883,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"saved_in_kubio":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-885","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/baridiwomen.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/885","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/baridiwomen.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/baridiwomen.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/baridiwomen.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/baridiwomen.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=885"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/baridiwomen.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/885\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":893,"href":"https:\/\/baridiwomen.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/885\/revisions\/893"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/baridiwomen.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/883"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/baridiwomen.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=885"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/baridiwomen.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=885"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/baridiwomen.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=885"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}